QCT Standard 1 Design and implement engaging and flexible learning experiences for individuals and groups
Practice:
Teachers apply professional knowledge and understanding of learners, the curriculum and teaching and learning to:
- Select, develop and/or customise teaching and learning strategies and resources that meet specific learning goals and curriculum requirements and address students' prior learning, interests, learning needs and learning styles.
- plan, implement and review learning experiences that incorporate a variety of flexible individual and group learning, teaching, assessment and behaviour management strategies.
Knowledge:
Teachers know and understand:
- How students learn and the implications for practice relevant to early, middle and senior phases of learning.
- individual learning needs of students including those with particular needs, such as students with disabilities and learning difficulties, and gifted students.
Demonstrating the standard
The volcanoes lesson was designed for a year 9 Chemistry class to introduce a new subject topic. This lesson took place within a computer lab so I had to ensure students understood what was required so that they remained on task. I engaged students through firstly introducing the topic and explaining the task they had to complete. I created a task sheet with clear instructions to explain what was required during the lesson. This way I catered for both auditory learners by initially explaining the task sheet and visual learners who could understand what was required by reading the instructions.
The lesson was stimulating as it required students to use an educational website to gather information and fill in the questions on the task sheet. The website not only provided information but was also interactive and provided ways for students to build their own volcanoes and have them erupt. The majority of students enjoyed the interactive nature of the website and completed the handout sheet.
As this was an introductory lesson it only required students to perform at the remembering and understanding level of Blooms taxonomy. However it was designed this way so students could achieve the goals of the lesson which were to create interest in the new topic and allow all students to experience success through completing the handout sheet.
I used not only the text books to create the lesson but also an interactive website. I also created a secondary task in case students completed the handout early. This way I catered for all students within the classroom.
Please click on the file below to view the task sheet for this lesson