In search of effective teaching practices... and just searching for new ideas (an introduction)

Over the coming months I am seeking to post my thoughts on some of the ideas presented to me as a first semester M Teach (Primary) student at ACU, and how this pans out in the real world in my teaching practicum. As my background was a technology journalist for over a decade, I am especially keen in seeing how significant IT is in delivering effective teaching to our young students. Just how significant is its role? We shall see.

However, I am also keen to explore how some of the theory which I will come across -- from lectures, tutorials and my Effective Teaching Bible, the Book of Readings -- will pan out in a real classroom and put me in better stead while I am in the real classroom as a practicum student teacher.

From what I have already experienced in Effective Teaching readings and my Mathematics Curriculum 1 subject, Constructivism is a big trend in the modern day classroom. I am still getting my head around this concept but it is sufficient to say that it was not in vogue when I was primary student in the early 1980s. So I am very interested in explorer this and all the other (perhaps more familiar) teaching methods.

And yes, I am a fan of puns and cheesy headlines. HSIE (pronounced hessie) is the abbreviated name for the NSW K-6 Syllabus, Human Society and its Environment (of course you erudite Mounties knew that). My hessie fit was my initial reaction upon being told I needed to blog about my new-found education experience and ideas/views for my subject, Effective Teaching. Difficult when I have no firm opinions. But will give it a go and see where I end up.

Update: My initial reaction to this blog was why write when I have nothing to say. Over the past three months I have realised I have quite a bit to say. Both on this site and in TheCafe_ACU529_2010 Twibe. It is amazing how powerful observation can be. -- May 8, 2010.