Introduction
As a Teacher in the lifelong learning sector, I need to demonstrate that I am able to meet the needs of my learners. I have to review my role and responsibilities and identifying the boundaries that I might face.
There will be occasions where we might work with other colleagues or outside agencies regarding issues outside of my responsibilities, I will be giving examples either from my experience or explaining what I would do if faced with difficult issues.
There are codes of practice set out by organizations, they will also have to follow current legislation requirements set out by the government. I will be identifying some of these and discussing the impact the code of practice will have on my area of specialist area and how they are different to legislation.
As a teaching creating a safe, supportive and motivated learning environment is important I will be giving specific examples taking into account issues of equality and diversity.
I will be identifying teaching and learning strategies that are effective in meeting the needs of my learners, and the effectiveness when used to addressing individual needs; this will be related to a range of factors that influence learning.
I will be explain the importance of language, literacy and numeracy and suggesting ways in which my learners can develop these skills in conjunction to Business Studies.
I will discuss the types of methods that are appropriate for my learners in my subject area with giving examples on how learners might be involved in these processes. I will identify how assessment can be used to inform future teaching to help learners make progress, and how it can be used to evaluate the impact of teaching.
Review of my current teaching roles within the Lifelong Sector
Teachers have different roles and responsibilities, and several boundaries of limitations. In order to adapting to specific learning needs adequate knowledge and personal skills are required.
My role as a Business Studies teacher has been influenced by many aspect of my early experience of learning in school, one of which is off memories of a creative teacher who actively involved us in all class activities to motivate us; this early experience is amongst many that have inspired me to want to teach.
Teaching involves actively engaging with your learners to encourage learning .Below are some categories of roles that a teacher can be defined as and more can be added to the list. Counsellor, Administrator, Tutor, Manager, Mentor, Facilitator, Adjudicator Mediator and Team leader.
Roles
My role as a counsellor in the classroom is to have a caring and attitude towards my learners, been self-aware and observe problems that may affect learning, it could be that a learner has anxieties relating to college or may need personal assistance.
I need to show my learners that I can be trusted and show a positive attitude towards them this role also involves been a good listener and a good communicator. In some cases I might not be able to assist with certain problems but will make sure that referral ids made to the correct person.
According to an article from ericdigest 1990 a question was asked and answered. Are teachers qualified to provide counselling? Although we may be lacking the professional training of a counsellor, teachers have a long tradition of helping students with personal problems. As we interact with them daily and we are in an excellent position to provide personal direction.
My role as an administrator involves working alongside the teacher to provide teaching and learning materials for my learners, which facilitate teaching and learning. The register is completed on a daily basis and any resources require for my learners are provided.
According to “Brown, H. Douglas (2007) mentions that teacher can play many roles in the course of teaching and this might facilitate the learning. Their ability to carry these out effectively will depend on a large extend on the rapport they establish with student, and on their own level of knowledge and skills.”
Responsibilities
As a teacher I am expected to carry out my responsibilities while maintaining a good professional standard, my responsibilities may change depending on my role and my learners needs. I am expected to set a good example by showing respect and discipline towards my learners, and to encourage them to demonstrate core values for a safe learning environment. Having a good rapport with other members of staff is important.
According to (TES Magazine 2010) a greater understanding of your legal rights and responsibilities will help not just how you work, but give you the confidence to do your job without fear of litigation.
Boundaries
Knowing my boundaries as a teacher will maintain professional standards.
According to (Gravells (2012, 14) ‘You will have professional boundaries within which to work and it’s important not to overstep these by becoming too personal with your students. Boundaries are about knowing where your role as a teacher stops’
Working with colleagues and outside agencies
It is important to form a good relationship with colleagues and other outside agencies, at some point I might need advice and guidance with issues outside of my control. This is to ensure that my learners are kept health and safe, learners are encouraged to talk to personal tutor or other members of staff if have any concerns regarding them or anyone else.
I may not be able to assist with a particular problem and will require to get other agencies involved depending on the severity of the problem, the local authority can give advice on housing, student guidance can assist with financial matters, Ofsted is another outside agency which I can liaised with regarding the requirement and criteria to work towards. Each campus has a designated team member who can give support and guidance regarding safeguarding.
An example of an issue that I might be faced with could be regarding a learner who is competent in all areas of his work, and is actually ahead of the class even though he joined the course late. I will have to discuss this with my manager to see what can be done to keep him motivated by given higher level of work for a higher challenge.
Current legislation
The specific legislation requirement and policies relating to teaching and learning in my specialist area includes: Health and safety, Safeguarding, Prevent, strategy, British values and Equality and diversity.
At the Manchester College I am expected to understand the current guidelines for these legislations, as they are set out to protect the rights of individuals.
Health and Safety Act 1974
This sets out rules of safety and good working environment. As my lessons involves learners setting round the tables or on the computers it is important that all chairs are placed under tables when not in use to prevent people tripping over and causing injuries.
All cable should be kept securely to prevent hazards; the classroom should have adequate ventilation as it can get too hot, my learners are aware of toilets and restaurant facilities, also they are made aware of the first aid room and emergency exits. information regarding fire drills is also displaced in case there was cause for evacuation .The Manchester College ensures that the Health safety and welfare of it employees and learners are protected while at work, the employees and learners also have a responsibility to conform and comply with this requirements.
Safeguarding is important as it protecting children and venerable adults everyone up to the age of 18 years old and up to 24 years old for those with learning difficulties.
At the Manchester College there are guidelines and procedures for teachers to follow in identifying significant harm caused to venerable people, also including the Children’s Act 1989 to act at the best interest of the child a list of categories are given in identify the signs and symptoms of a child in needs.
Prevention Strategy the new prevent strategy was out in June 2011 which set out to stop extremism and the breeding of terrorist activities.
It states. “…at the root of this Prevent strategy is the basic assertion that extremism breeds terrorism; and that extremism is the vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values.
Teachers can get adequate training on how we can teach learner’s values in the classroom and the use of internet safety as the internet is a source of social media and can attract venerable individuals.
The values must reflect also on British Values respect and freedom of speech for all According to the telegraphy on the 11 the June 2014 by Gillian Reynolds this highlights the nature of British culture and its values which the secretary of state for Education has given indication on that values must now be taught at schools to create tolerance and respect for all, setting a good and inspiring environment in the classroom.
Equality and diversity This includes treating all learners the same this legislation covers areas relating to the diversity of society. When teaching I make sure that all learners are treated equally providing help and support, The aim of the policy outlined by Manchester College is to ensure all employees and learners receive fair treatment despite of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, race, religious belief and sexual orientation.
Code of practice
The current legislative requirements and code of practice have a great importance in my area of teaching with written guidelines this helps to promotes behaviours for teachers. It is my responsibility to follow relevant legislations and complying with the college code of practice.
Creating a safe, supportive and motivating learning environment.
It is my responsibility as teacher to create a safe and motivating environment for my learners. According to Clapper, T.C. (2010) creating a safe and positive environment will create interaction among learners, which will in turn create a safe learning environment
With my learners I frequently ask questions to get thoughts on given topic this encourages them to contribute and in turn will give them the realisation of participation, boosting there verbal confidence and make them grow. Maslow (1968) refers to growth as are a rewarding and exciting process.
For my challenging learners and learners with learning difficulties they are encourage to achieving goals by providing them with the necessary resources and support, learners of different ethnicity are accommodated by given flexibility for religious celebrations.
Maslow hierarchy of needs talks about the different human level of needs for survival and we must work to fulfil these. The hierarchy should be considered when dealing with people at all levels.
My lesson plans should have good knowledge of my subject area and should be designed to include all abilities and recognising equality and diversity, during my lesson I ensure that I give support and to my learner and try to identify learning barriers. I include informal and formal methods in my teaching one of which will be the starter activities I do before a lesson to motivate my learners and get their brains stimulated encourage learning.
Learning and teaching strategies
According to a dictionary definition from the freedictionary.com states, that strategy is a particular plan for long term success.
Effective teaching strategies as the ten pedagogies appeals to a diversity of learners, the different strategies motivates and facilitates learning by giving the learner a need to focus and improve thinking to building their knowledge.
The importance of functional skills
There are ways of embedding and developing functional skills in my specialist area, language, literacy and numeracy are all important as they enable the learners to work confidently and independently. Ways of which functional skills can be improved are through essay or report writing for example most of our topics involves researching topics and explaining your finding which involves the use of vocabulary and grammar.
Language skills can be embedding by writing speaking where learners are asking questions in class and listening to the answer. Numeracy can be embedded with topics including figures like the profit and loss and balancing sheet which involves the use of numbers, with frequent practice will improve numeracy skills.
Functional skills in the context on my specialist are can be implemented in topic areas so can be included in the scheme of work.
Method of assessment
Assessment is an important part as this can be used to evaluate understanding.
Methods of assessments are used to identify the learner’s level of knowledge and to improve areas of teaching this is used as a guide towards the next step.
Methods of assessment used for our learners are power- point presentations, report writing, essay, exams and questions answering sessions. This measures their ability and progression in the course by identifying their strengths and weaknesses for further assessments to be developed.
The use of assessment should be continued for future learning as the learner’s needs are meet and achievements measured.
Conclusion
Teaching can be challenging at times, but can be rewarding learners need engagements with teachers as this will improve their achievements levels and fulfill a sense of learning.
Teachers need to be enthusiastic and have a passion for what we do, our role and responsibilities can change depending on our learner’s needs, there are many we can adapt to but our boundaries can determine our limitations.
Legislations and code of practice must be followed and complied with to protect the rights of individuals.
In order for our learners to acquire adequate knowledge and understanding teachers must ensure that the learning environment is safe for learning. Individual, need learning strategies and assessment methods are all factors that influence the preparation of individual to be lifelong learners.
…