PSII Professional Growth and Development Goals

Goal #1

Create a more
inclusive
classroom
environment.

Goal #2

Use a number
of
differentiated
teaching
techniques.

Goal #3
Get an
understanding
for what types
of
differentiation
resources and
technology
there is.

Strategies
(Actions)

KSA
Reference
7 - Teachers create
and maintain
environments that
are conducive to
student learning
and understand
student needs for
physical, social,
cultural and
psychological
security.
9 - Teachers use a
broad range of
instructional
strategies.

6 - Teachers plan
for instruction,
translating
curriculum and
outcomes into
meaningful learning
activities.

13 - Teachers
identify and use
relevant learning
resources.

Tribes
textbook
Tribes
Website
Kagan
strategies
book
PD Days

Determine what
ways students
learn best.
Based on students
learning style,
create lessons that
cater to their
needs.

Strategies
(Actions)
-

Stay recent on
research and
technologies
released
Cooperative
meetings with
fellow teachers,
sharing ideas and
research.

Online
questionnaires
Activities for
students to
understand
their learning
style

Website
research
Article
Research
PD Session

When students feel

they have an
understanding of
learned concepts.
When students feel
comfortable with my
teaching, asking
questions about
understanding and are
not afraid to ask for
more clarification.

Indicators or
Measures of Success

Resources

When the students

are able to
cooperate with each
other with out
constant pushing.
They become
accepting of each
other and are open
to sharing their
thoughts and
feelings.
Indicators or
Measures of Success

Resources
-

KSA
Reference
10 - Teachers apply
a variety of
technologies to
meet students
learning needs.

Create classroom
rules with
students.
Use Kagan or
Tribes to create a
cohesive group.
This can be
learned through
PD sessions.

Strategies
(Actions)

KSA
Reference

5 - Teachers
identify and
respond to learner
differences.

Indicators or
Measures of Success

Resources

When I can enhance

student learning by
implementing new
technology and
strategies.
Students are more
engaged in learning
and enjoy class more.

Rational of Growth
During my PSII I think I developed in all three areas outline in my goals. I created a
more inclusive classroom by trying to get all students on an even playing field, by
trying to create a mastery-oriented classroom. Where the focus is on completing the
skills properly and not just going through the motions. Where all students
developed skills and were encourage to try all skills and refrain from saying they
cant complete the skill. Every student is capable and deserves the opportunity to try
and develop his or her skill. As a class we developed a no negativity rule, students
werent allowed to be negative towards each other and only positive comments
were allowed. The last thing I tried was to incorporate team-building exercise. This
way students had a chance to work together, develop ideas together and work
better as a whole. All of these methods together helped to create a more inclusive
classroom.
I tried to experiment with a few newer ideas for teaching styles during my
practicum. What I found worked best for me was to combine direct instruction with
cooperative learning. My goal with direct instruction was to get important
information to the students. I would try my best to work in all learning styles. So I
would try to do things for the auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners. As well, I
tried to add in some Kagan strategies. This was more of a challenge for me as I have
had little experience with the cooperative learning strategies. My TA Chad Watson is
big in to Kagan and was keen on me using it. He gave me a lot of advice and taught
me a few things about how cooperative learning works and how it is different than
group work. When I used these cooperative learning strategies my lesson were a lot
more interactive and I had more good ideas from the students. My favorite
strategies were think, pair, share and place mat. Both really engage the students at a
higher level of thinking by having the students work with the information
describing and understanding it rather than simply memorizing. Initially I was going
to use a questionnaire to find out students learning styles, it seemed like the fastest
and simplest way of doing things. But after I met the class I decided it would be
better for me to get to know the students and figure out their learning styles that
way. I think the more personal approach makes a better connection with students
and give me a better understanding of them overall.
Using technology in the class can be a great resource to enhance learning. Especially
in PE using cellphone/iPods and apps like coaches eye students can analyze their
own movements and understand how to correct their form. I also though of using
technology students have to connect with them through twitter/Facebook. By
creating pages that students can go on to learn more about a subject or activity it
gives students a way to learn outside of school and possibly spark some more
interest. Using videos to show proper form or rules for a sport can help with the
explanation and time used up in class. This is one area I wish I would have used a bit
more of, I had some really great ideas but never really put too much of it to use.