Account For Your Practice

In August all education ministers signed off on an agreement that will provide an annual performance review for teachers against the National Professional Standards for Teachers.

'The National Professional Standards for Teachers are a public statement of what constitutes teacher quality. They define the work of teachers and make explicit the elements of high-quality, effective teaching in 21st century schools that will improve educational outcomes for students. The Standards do this by providing a framework which makes clear the knowledge, practice and professional engagement required across teachers’ careers. They present a common understanding and language for discourse between teachers, teacher educators, teacher organisations, professional associations and the public.

Teacher standards also inform the development of professional learning goals, provide a framework by which teachers can judge the success of their learning and assist self-reflection and self-assessment. Teachers can use the Standards to recognise their current and developing capabilities, professional aspirations and achievements.'

http://www.aitsl.edu.au/verve/_resources/AITSL_National_Professional_Standards_for_Teachers.pdf

This post aims to familiarise you with professional standards for teachers with a particular focus on ICT in the curriculum.
 

The National Professional Standards For Teachers
The seven Standards identify what is expected of teachers within three domains of teaching. Teachers’ demonstration of the Standards will occur within their specific teaching context at their stage of expertise and reflect the learning requirements of the students they teach. These standards are listed below.

Standard 1:	Know students and how they learn
Standard 2:	Know the content and how to teach it
Standard 3:	Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
Standard 4:	Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
Standard 5:	Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
Standard 6:	Engage in professional learning
Standard 7:	Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community

The National Standards document provides a more detailed explanation of each of the standards. This post will be focusing primarily on the standards that relate specifically to ICT.
 
 Within the seven standards there are three that relate specifically to ICT.

Standard 2: Know the content and how to teach it
2.6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT)	Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.	Use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning and teaching programs to make selected content relevant and meaningful.	Model high-level teaching knowledge and skills and work with colleagues to use current ICT to improve their teaching practice and make content relevant and meaningful.	Lead and support colleagues within the school to select and use ICT with effective teaching strategies to expand learning opportunities and content knowledge for all students.

 

Standard 3 – Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
3.4 Select and use resources	Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.	Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning	Assist colleagues to create, select and use a wide range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.	Model exemplary skills and lead colleagues in selecting, creating and evaluating resources, including ICT, for application by teachers within or beyond the school

 

Standard 4 – Create and maintain supportive learning environments
4.5 Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethically	Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues and the strategies available to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.	Incorporate strategies to promote the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.	Model, and support colleagues to develop, strategies to promote the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.	Review or implement new policies and strategies to ensure the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.

As technology progresses in society it is important to ensure our classrooms reflect this.  The  Australian Curriculum has a strong focus on integrating technology across all learning areas.

In the Australian Curriculum, the general capabilities encompass the knowledge, skills, behaviours and dispositions that, together with curriculum content in each learning area and the cross-curriculum priorities, will assist students to live and work successfully in the

twenty-first century.

There are seven general capabilities within the new curriculum that are designed to be integrated across all learning areas. ICT is one of these capabilities.

As can be seen from both the Australian Curriculum and the National Professional Standards for Teachers, ICT is considerd an essential aspect of teaching and learning.

We are now educating students for their future and not our past therefore it is important to keep up to date with new technologies and ways of facilitating learning. 
 
 Below are some websites you may find useful to help you meet the National Professional Standards for Teachers.

 

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

A proficient teacher will use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning and teaching programs to make selected content relevant and meaningful.



Pinterest A great place to store all those great ideas you find on the internet.  It is like an online pinup board. If you follow other people with similar interests you can see what they have been pinning. Be warned, it is very addictive!

 

Twitter Follow what other teachers are up to in their classrooms.

 

Teacher Blogs   Many teachers now blog about their classroom experiences.  There is a huge community of teachers online willing to share ideas.



 

Select and Use Resources
A proficient teacher will select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.
 
 Youtube You tube is a fantastic way to engage your students with a topic. You can find videos to illustrate almost any concept.
Some examples include:
Water Cycle- Science
Spelling rules- English
Time- Mathematics

Brainpop is a great site with lots of short video clips explaining science concepts.

BBC.co.uk is an awesome site with interactive games based around science concepts.

Blogging is a great way to showcase student work and encourage them to produce a better standard of work. There are many different blogging sites you can use. Kidblog is a great site if you want your children to have their own blog.

A sample class blog

Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethically
A proficient teacher will incorporate strategies to promote the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.

Woogi World
Cyber Safety