KSAs Addressed

4. Teachers demonstrate knowledge of the content they teach.

5. Teachers identify and respond to learner differences.

9. Teacher use a broad range of instructional strategies.

10. Teachers apply a variety of technologies to meet students’ learning needs.

I believe that this is one of my strengths as an up-and-coming teacher; I am exceptionally cognizant of the need to vary my instructional techniques based on learning needs and styles. Regardless of the content in a lesson, how straightforward or convoluted it is, I am continuously trying to vary my technique in the classroom.

 I am a very big proponent of inquiry based leaning, problem based learning and group work. In each of these cases it may appear that the teacher is not obviously present but he or she is always controlling the scene from behind, like a director in a play. Each of these instructional strategies tend to take more planning and preparation time; however, I fully believe that this time is well spent when presented with the outcomes of a successful lesson with a group work or problem based learning activity because the students are actively involved in their learning processes.

As a social studies major I believe that these types of activities have no better place. Social studies is the study of the interaction of people and their environment; therefore, a social aspect must be included in every lesson in my belief.

This being said, group work should not be done just to satisfy the need for a fun activity. The planning, preparation, a teacher control during the lesson must be constantly present and with this comes a lot of teacher dedication required. Also, a foundation of knowledge must be the building blocks to ensure the success of a lesson employing any of these strategies.

As the social studies curriculum in the province moves away from the rote memorization of the 1980s these beliefs will prove to be critical to the teaching profession.