Importance of the reflection process for pre-service teacher in terms of teaching, developing and improving; you will need to make connections to EYLF and Australian Professional Teachers’ Standards

Assessment Task 4

Critical Reflection of Professional Practice (2000 words)

This assignment will demonstrate your reflection of specific aspects towards your teaching on the GDECE104 placement.This reflection report will also help you to develop better understanding on evidence-based teaching and transition your teaching skills into second semester.This assessment will need tohighlight the importance of how pre-service teacher use the process of reflection to analyse and improve their work and teaching performance.

The suggested structure of Assessment 4:

1. Introduce your role during the placement;

2. Importance of the reflection process for pre-service teacher in terms of teaching, developing and improving; you will need to make connections to EYLF and Australian Professional Teachers’ Standards;

3. Guiding questions to reflect on:

How did you implement reflective teaching in your GDECE104 placement? What did you learn from your daily reflections?

What did you learn by reflecting your mentor teachers’ teaching practices?

What did you learn by reflecting on your students’ reactions or learning outcomes? Did you make any improvement?

Did you identify your weakness during your GDECE104 placement? Is your classroom management skill improved?

Is your oral instruction skill improved?

While you discuss your critical reflections toward your teaching practices, please use theories, EYFL and Australian Teachers’ standards to support your ideas.

4. Conclusion

Student must use FIVE References to write the critical reflection and follow APA style for in-text citation and reference list.

Possible reading for this assessment:

Hansen, A. (2012) Reflective Learning and Teaching in Primary Schools. London, SAGE Publications Ltd. McNally, J. et al (2007) ‘They think that swearing is okay’: first lessons in behaviour management.

Journal of Education for Teaching, 31 (3), pp. 169-185.

Brandenburg, R et al. (2017) Reflective Theory and Practice in Teacher Education. Singapore, Springer Nature.

Plagiarised: 

This assignment requires a detailed reflection on your teaching experience during the GDECE104 placement. It aims to enhance your understanding of evidence-based teaching and help you transition your skills into the second semester. The reflection should highlight how pre-service teachers use the process of reflection to analyze and improve their teaching performance.

Suggested Structure of Assessment 4:

1. Introduction

Introduce your role during the placement, outlining the specific responsibilities and tasks you undertook. Mention the setting, the age group of the children, and the key objectives you aimed to achieve during the placement.

2. Importance of the Reflection Process for Pre-Service Teachers

Reflect on the significance of the reflection process in teaching, development, and improvement. Make connections to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Australian Professional Teachers` Standards (APTS).

Key Points to Address:

• Teaching Improvement: Discuss how reflection helps in evaluating and improving teaching strategies and practices.
• Professional Development: Highlight the role of reflection in ongoing professional growth and learning.
• EYLF Connections: Explain how reflective practices align with the principles and practices of the EYLF.
• APTS Connections: Relate your reflections to the Australian Professional Teachers` Standards, emphasizing standards such as Professional Knowledge, Professional Practice, and Professional Engagement.

3. Guiding Questions to Reflect On

Address the following guiding questions to structure your reflection:

How did you implement reflective teaching in your GDECE104 placement?

Explain the methods and tools you used for reflection (e.g., journals, feedback sessions, self-assessment). Describe specific instances where you applied reflective practices.

Example: "I maintained a daily reflection journal where I noted my observations, challenges, and successes. This helped me to critically evaluate my teaching methods and make necessary adjustments."

What did you learn from your daily reflections?

Discuss the insights gained from your daily reflections, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement.

Example: "Daily reflections revealed that my interactive storytelling sessions were highly engaging for the children, but I needed to improve my time management skills to ensure all planned activities were covered."

What did you learn by reflecting on your mentor teachers’ teaching practices?

Reflect on the teaching practices of your mentor teacher(s) and what you learned from observing and reflecting on their methods.

Example: "Observing my mentor’s classroom management techniques helped me understand the importance of clear instructions and consistent routines in maintaining a positive learning environment."

What did you learn by reflecting on your students’ reactions or learning outcomes? Did you make any improvement?

Analyze the impact of your teaching on students` reactions and learning outcomes. Discuss any changes or improvements you made as a result.

Example: "Reflecting on students` responses during group activities, I realized the need to diversify my instructional strategies to cater to different learning styles. This led to improved engagement and participation."

Did you identify your weaknesses during your GDECE104 placement? Is your classroom management skill improved?

Identify any weaknesses you discovered and discuss how your classroom management skills evolved over the placement period.

Example: "I initially struggled with maintaining classroom discipline, but through reflective practice and guidance from my mentor, I developed more effective behavior management strategies."

Is your oral instruction skill improved?

Evaluate your oral instruction skills and discuss any improvements made.

Example: "Reflective feedback indicated that my oral instructions were sometimes unclear. By practicing concise and explicit communication, I noticed significant improvement in student understanding and task execution."

4. Conclusion

Summarize the key points of your reflection, emphasizing the importance of reflective practice in teaching. Conclude with a brief discussion on how these reflections will inform and improve your teaching practice in the future.

Conclusion Example: "Reflective practice has been instrumental in identifying and addressing areas for improvement in my teaching. By continually reflecting on my experiences, I am better equipped to enhance my instructional strategies and contribute to a positive learning environment. Moving forward, I will continue to integrate reflective practices to support my professional growth and development."

References

Ensure you use at least five references, with a minimum of five academic peer-reviewed sources. Follow the APA style for in-text citations and the reference list.

Possible References:

• Hansen, A. (2012). Reflective Learning and Teaching in Primary Schools. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
• McNally, J., et al. (2007). ‘They think that swearing is okay’: first lessons in behaviour management. Journal of Education for Teaching, 31(3), 169-185.
• Brandenburg, R., et al. (2017). Reflective Theory and Practice in Teacher Education. Singapore: Springer Nature.

By adhering to this structure and incorporating detailed reflections, theories, and standards, your report will effectively demonstrate your professional development and readiness to advance in your teaching career.