Learning outcomes
1. Learning spaces - Designing a learning environment for 80:20. (Michelle Burr and Jane Kelly)
• LCD screens, TVs and data projectors were made readily available to the students during research and presentations.
• Students were able to use more space in the classroom with the new setup.
• This new environment allowed the students to work in a group, discuss with other students and learn more about problem solving.
• This environment allowed the lecturer to; provide support and assistance to students instead of direct teaching and accommodate more than one topic to be discussed in the classroom.
• This environment allowed the students to improve their research, team work and technology skills.
We were then introduced to the e-portfolio by Nuddy Pillay and were asked to:
• Describe two ways to create an e-portfolio ( on which most of us did not have an idea)
• Decide on a platform for own e-portfolio and give reasons for this decision
Nuddy introduced us to the blogs and wikis and online platforms for e-portfolios.
Session 4
Reflection:
• So what sort of classroom climate are you creating for your students?
• Is your classroom climate conducive to a deep approach to learning? If not, what actions would you take to change the classroom climate that would help your students to achieve the intended learning outcomes through adopting a deep learning approach?
• Does your teaching encourage surface or deep approaches to learning?
These questions are serious questions that we occasionally need to ask ourselves. Good teaching encourages a deep approach, and discourages a surface approach, to learning.
We were asked to reflect on our teaching so far and identify aspects of our teaching that may have unintentionally:
a. Encouraged a surface approach to learning.
b. Encouraged a deep approach to learning.
I believe that a teacher is responsible for creating a classroom climate because he or she is in charge as the facilitator and as trained professional should recognise any symptoms that may prevail. In a busy schedule and the drive to achieve the desired outcomes for productivity, one may lose focus on the prime objective that is to create a stimulating learning environment for students.
Though I may have successfully completed the CTT programme, this session in particular has made me realise that I need to reflect more often in my teaching styles to make my class entertaining for the students. I have now changed my style from the old read out of the text book method and now, am having the students read and answer the questions. Mind mapping has really worked well with my students who have now taken a liking to the A3 sheets to record the lessons on and helps them to study a lot better.
