Module 1 - Activity 4

The Chaves' case study illustrate what typically happens in some classrooms.  We always seek positive behaviours from our students but often acknowledge the negative. This only encourages the negative behaviour and not the positive.  A change need to made from the norm. The students who display positive behaviours needs to be acknowledge and encouraged.

What ever form of reinforcement we may decide to use these should be continuous if they are going to be effective. Our students should know what are the consequences for a particular action and this should be consistent. We should also ensure that we don't send mixed signals to now students by taking the approach of do as I say not as I do.  This only confuse them and they become uncertain often wondering if they can trust what you say. 

Module 1 - Activity 3

My most powerful lesson is this week is that our students simply wants to be noticed, recognised, acknowledge and understood and genuinely cared for.  As educators it is very important that all of our students feeling comfortable in our classes not only physically but emotionally as well.

Module 1 - Activity 2

The readings only help to reinforce what already know as an important factor when teaching our students.  This is that more focus should be paid on letting our students  identify  what learning tactics works best for them and encourage them to use it.  I can't say enough how important it is for educators to take the time to know their students it is the best way to meet them were they are and assist them to achieve their goals.  

Module 1

The most powerful lesson is the change in the changes in approaches to learning.   Approaches to learning have changed from viewing learners as passive receivers of knowledge to an active participant in the learning process.  Learning should be seen as partnership between the teacher and the learner.  Learners should be encouraged to build on what they already know. As teachers we should take the time to analyze the students we have before us.  Only then can we prepare to meet their needs and assist them as they acquire new knowledge.

Hello

My name is Jacqueline Peters-Richardson. I began my teaching career in 1990 at the Princess Margaret School, where I was the head of the Business Department and taught Principles of Accounts and Electronic Document Preparation and Management from Grade 9 -11.


Presently, I am the Education Officer-Business in the Ministry of Education a post I took up in January 2010.  My responsibilities include supervising the Business Education Program in the secondary school in Antigua and Barbuda.  This covers the following subjects; Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Office Administration, Economics and Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM).  My responsibilities also include the monitoring and support along with professional development of teachers especially the business teachers.

I am also a part time lecture at the Department of Teacher Education at the Antigua State College where I teach the course Technology in Education to the student teachers.

From this course I am hoping learn new ideas and approaches that I can use to assist the teachers in my care to improve the overall education program in Antigua and Barbuda