Portfolio of Professional Practice

Technology is a key aspect to promote more collaboration and interaction between students and teachers, expand learning opportunities for students and also to improve student performance in learning (Clarke & Zagarell, 2014). As an emerging teacher, I have had endless opportunities to explore ICT in different contexts, particularly in university and primary school settings. By having exposure to and involvement with ICT, I have developed the appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes to integrate technology into the teaching program. 

 

During practical placement in a year one classroom, an interactive whiteboard (IWB) was used as a tool to enrich students in engaging teaching and learning experiences. For example, I encouraged students to interact with the IWB by dragging basket balls to hoops in order to build their understandings of 'equal groups' in mathematics. Not only was the IWB used for student interactions, but also as a source of information, such as watching purposeful videos and researching conceps that students were interested in. By emerging in authentic experiences with ICT, I have strongly grasped on how technology can be integrated into the teaching program. 

 

University has also helped me to keep abreast of current technologies, as I am confident in, but not limited to creating websites, using PowerPoint (PP), Prezi and other informative programs that can expand students learning opportunities. Engaging in these programs was not only an independent task, which in turn helped me to develop my collaborative and interactive skills with peers and immerse in new and innovative ideas. For example, with a partner, we created a three-minute video to inform stage 3 students of mathematical language in 'probability and statistics.' This enabled me to interpret a wide variety of information, problem solve, collaboratively inquire into practice and incorporate state standards and curriculum objectives (Ferguson, 2006). The following link reveals the three-minute mathematical video: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw6juDrPOEvFQl9mTzkySnR4dDg/view?usp=sharing

 

Essentially, being immersed into the ICT culture can support the demolishment of the traditional approach where the teacher transfers knowledge to the students, and instead develop inclusive and engaging lessons through ICT to cater to all learning styles (Learning-Theories, 2014).