Public Education and Standard Testing - 882 Words

For students to be able to do well on standardized test they rely on their teachers. Several teachers interviewed said they spent hours of extra planning time and hundreds of dollars to create more interesting lessons. They said they must be supremely organized and strict enforcers of classroom rules. (Watanabe). Some teachers are pressured to the point that they make education all about the test and up to the test. The pressure to improve students test performance in California and across the country often meets with disdain from teachers who say they are compelled to throw out creativity and â€Å"teach to the test.† (Watanabe). If somehow the test were based on what students learn, then students could score better. Educators are unanimous†¦show more content†¦(Moore). Since standardized test can’t provide a clear picture for a student, these test shouldn’t really make the decisions of a student’s educational future. If retention helps at all, i t does so only when students are supported by innovative learning strategies. Decisions to deny promotion should not be based on a single test. (Nina and Sol Hurwitz). Standardized test also can effects students emotionally. Although standardized tests are somewhat limited in measuring skill development, they also are ineffective in ascertaining student attitudes and behavior changes (Travis 1996). (Frederick M. Hess). The U.S.’s present goal is to raise standards, they look forward to standardized test to complete this goal. High-Stake tests can be a powerful tool for raising standards for at-risk students, but only if resources are reallocated to schools that serve them and the testing program must be held accountable for ensuring that the tests are reliable, fair, and free of cultural bias. (Nina and Sol Hurwitz). In order for the standardized test to actually become beneficial to public education students have to excel at these test and these test have to be well designe d for the students, keep it from being bias towards anything. Students and the test result that are received by them are what keep standardized testShow MoreRelatedThe Limitations Of Standardized Testing Essay705 Words   |  3 Pageslimitations of â€Å"standardized testing† as a rigid and narrow criterion for gauging the educational capabilities of students in public education. The criterion for standardized testing relies on narrow areas of knowledge that define a hierarchical imposition of â€Å"intelligence† testing that forces the student to perform ion a constrained academic environment. This type of testing has become a mechanized tool to reject the individual needs of the student in a linear testing methodology. The importanceRead MoreEssay on Standardized Testing a Failure in Education1335 Words   |  6 PagesStandardized testing scores proficiencies in most generally accepted curricular areas. The margin of error is too great to call this method effective . â€Å"High test scores are generally related to things other than the actual quality of education students are receiving† (Kohn 7). â€Å"Only recently have test scores been published in the news-paper and used as the primary criteria for judging children, teachers, and schools.†(2) Standardized testing is a great travesty imposed upon the American Public School systemRead MoreStandardized Testing And The National Ranking Chart962 Words   |  4 Pagesdescending on the national ranking chart. According to Rankingamerica.com, countries like South Korea and Japan are leading the charts in education while the U.S is rank number fourteen. There are many attributes that play a part of this destruction, but the overuse of the unforgiving arrangement of standardized testing has a strong presence. Though, standardized testing has been around since the 1800’s but the tests that are implemented today are no match for educators or students. Following the signingRead More An Examination of Standardized Testing Essay1592 Words   |  7 Pagesreally improve the quality of public education? For years they have been used to judge schools academic performance and assess the needs of students. No longer can illiterates be graduated from high school. No longer can teachers pass a student from one grade to another without having taught that student anything (Spellings). While these advances are beneficial, standardized exams often hurt already disadvantaged schools, promote states to lower their standards of education, and cause schools to focusRead MoreIntroduction. A Resounding â€Å"Thank You† Is Directed Toward1514 Words   |  7 Pagesin 2002, which consists of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Initiative. CCSS is set of quality academic standards in math and English for grade levels K-12 that outlines what a student should have learned at the successful completion of each grade. Ultimately, the CCSS levels th e learning field for students across America, regardless of social class, race, or disability by requiring all students to meet the same standards of quality education. Statement of the Problem The popularity of theRead MorePresident George Bush s No Child Left Behind Act Of 20071263 Words   |  6 PagesPolitics have made up a large part of public education in the United States of America since Anglo-Saxons came over from Europe. The effects that politics and governmental policies have had on public education have been evident throughout the history of the United States and are still apparent today. Beginning with assimilation and acculturation in the 17th century and continuing on to programs such as President George Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Mississippi Healthy Students ActRead MoreThe No Child Left Behind Act875 Words   |  4 Pagesin lower-income families achieve the same standard of education as children in higher income families. This was done by the federal government providing extra finances for Title I schools in exchange for a rise in academic progress. According to Fair Test, if a state wanted to receive funding through the NCLB, the state had to set a proficiency level through standardized testing in grades 3-8 and once in high school, and report those scores to the public (Fair Test). The NCLB act had a goal of reachingRead MoreStandard Based Learning And Its Impact On Education1371 Words   |  6 PagesStandard based learning has led to the demise of public education for years. Standard based learning is an educational system that measures students’ achievement and mastery of skills by their performance on assessments. Institutions that implement standard based learning use learning standards that explicitly describe what students should theoretically know and what lessons that educators should teach. The learning standards were created to define the adeptness of the students, ensure the retentionRead MoreStandardized Testing And The School Entrance Examination Board- Or Sat Began1424 Words   |  6 PagesStandardized testing had only been added to America’s public education curriculum w hen â€Å"the common school movement began in earnest in the 1830s in New England as reformers†¦ began to argue successfully for a greater government role in the schooling of all children† (â€Å"Common School†). â€Å"By 1845 in the United States, public education advocate Horace Mann was calling for standardized essay testing† (Mathews), because he believed that â€Å"political stability and social harmony depended on universal education† (â€Å"CommonRead MoreThe No Child Left Behind Act1145 Words   |  5 Pagesenforced by the United States government to improve primary and secondary education. NCLB required schools provides highly qualified teachers for students. NCLB also required the states administered set a proficiency standard, so-called Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), which gradually increase the percentage of student that must meet the proficiency standard. The stats administrator also setup a standardize test for all the public schools students. The standardize tests measure students’ proficiency in

Latin America And The Caribbean - 2587 Words

Venezuela is located between Latin America the Caribbean. North of South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana. The north of the country is bordered by the Caribbean, the east by Guyana and the Atlantic Ocean, the south by Brazil, and to the west and southwest by Colombia. Venezuela has four distinguished regions: the Venezuelan Highlands in the west, the Maracaibo Lowlands in the northwest, the vast central plain of Los Llanos around the Orinoco River, and the Guyana region in the extreme south, which includes part of the Amazon rainforest and the Guyana highlands. Venezuela’s population as of 2014 estimates is 28,868,486; 0-14 years: 28.2% (male 4,143,840/female 3,985,489), 15-24†¦show more content†¦Venezuela’s progress is only behind Cuba, Hong Kong in index, based on education, health, and life expectancy. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America, Venezuela’s pove rty rate was 48.6 percent in 2002 and it diminish to 29.5 percent in 2011. The country got a 7.5 life satisfaction rate out of ten, making it higher than the global average which is 5.5 (est. 2012). Out all the countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, Venezuela has the lowest income inequality rate and the smallest gap between the rich and poor. However Venezuela’s crime and inflation have risen since 1999. The oil output has dropped by thirteen percent and the food and power shortage have risen. Murders touched a record high of 58 per day during the first months of 2013. Venezuela topped the list of most dangerous country in Latin America, and is in the top four for most vicious countries in the world. The government even refused to release their own homicide stats for the year, but the NGO (Venezuela Observatory on Violence) estimated that 24k people were murdered only in 2013. The homicide rate rose 14% from 2012-2013. Venezuela is a country where the vast majority of the population has a gun, there is roughly a gun for every two people in a country with 29 million people. The expansion of opportunities when it comes to education has been one of the most important

Marketing Entry Strategy of Emirate Airline Company Free-Samples

Questions: 1.Analyze the Market entry into the new International Market.2.Analyze the market entry modes and one recommended Mode of entry.3.What are the Application of Effective Marketing mix Strategies for successful outcomes.4.What are the Implementation Strategies in the new Marketplace addressed. Answers: Introduction Emirates is a multinational corporation headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Emirates operate in more than 154 cities in 81 countries across six continents throughout the world. Emirates operation dates back to 1985 when it was conceived to assist linking Dubai's royal family, with Pakistan International Airlines. Emirates is a subsidiary of the Emirates Group that is under the United Arab Emirates investment. Emirates Airline seeks to extend its product markets to some other countries that it has not reached such as Republic of Panama within the Latin American market (Emirates 2010, pp 2837). Emirates plans to create a hub in Panama specifically in Panama City since the country easily connect different cities across Latin America and Asia. Emirates airline has been working to enter the Latin American market with more focus on Panama. Panama being the linking node that link central and South America the Panama City is strategically placed to attract more travelers using airline (Cullen, Praveen John 2011, pp. 234). Panama centrally connects most cities in the Latin America region and entry of emirates into this market means strategic changes of market. Panama has beautiful mountain scene that attract tourist throughout the year indicating that is it a good country for trade and destination. The rich wildlife in Panama make it ultimate destination for tourist from Europe and Asia. Climatic conditions in Panama are also tropical with little variation that is fit for aviation industry. The political, economic and security environment within Panama is highly influence by the United States government thus its ideal for business. The main objective of this report is to provide international marketing strategy for Emirates Airline in Panama Republic. 1.Situational analysis of market entry into Panama market Situation analysis consists of collection of methods that analyses Emirates Airline internal and external environment that make Emirates Airline capable of performing in Panama. There are different theories that provide the situation analysis of company that intends to enter a new market. Some of the analyses are SWOT analysis, Porters five forces and 5Cs analysis. To understand the business environment that exists in the Latin America market specifically in Panama, it is important use 5Cs analysis. The 5Cs comprise of company, competitors, customers, collaborators and climate (Steenburgh Avery 2010, pp 76). Emirates company Emirates is a multinational company that is grounded in the goal of reaching to by excelling in what the company does. On the other hand the overall objective of emirates is to give customer safe, secure and luxurious fly experience to any destination. Firstly, according to the goal of Emirates, the company has excel over the past few years carrying over 21.2 million passengers and 1.3 million tons of cargo. This gives the company global position able to cope up with the dynamics of market in Latin America (Sambidge 2015, pp 8). Secondly, within the last Emirates flights account for over 40% of all passengers across the bounders of Dubai the capital of United Arabian Emirates (UAE). The performance of Emirate therefore has remain high through the year and through all its destination cover (Bamber Gittell, Kochan Nordenflytch 2009, pp 9). SWOT analysis about Emirates shows that since 2005 Emirates has achieved a lot with its new transport services that operated to New York nonstop. T his nonstop travel was not offered by any airline putting it ahead in the international market. Finally, emirates was voted fifth best airline globally in 2009 by research firm Skytrax. Major Emirates competitors There are many competitors in the Latin American market. Some of the major competitors are LATAM, Avianca, Azul Linhas, Aerolineas, VivaColombia, Copa and TAME among many others. Firstly, the most important services offered by Emirates is non-stop flight from Asia to Latin America as oppose to many of the airlines that are part of the avionic industry in Latin America. It is important to notice that Copa Airline is not that big competitor in the market yet its the panama based airline that is most likely to compete with Emirate in the Panama City. The competition creates a technical aero-political structure that is difficult to put in place though the Emirates has proves its global position to be the best in avionic industry. The main hub for Emirates will be Tocumen International Airport where its close competitors are also already established. The Emirates Airline intends to use its promotion and reward mechanisms to compete with its major competitors (Hitt 2009, pp 23-43). Customers Panama is strategically located between allowing passengers from both Central America and South America forming Latin America. Demographically, Panama is both business and economic hub of the Latin American market. This implies that Panama not only contribute indigenous customers but also regional customers. Regionally the Latin America customers are from as far as United States to Brazil country. Moreover, Panama natural scenery such as mountains and wildlife attracts tourist from many regional countries. This makes the country to be strategically good for Emirate Airline and other business (Kotler 2000, p. 9). Collaborators Within the Latin American market there many companies that will work with Emirate Airline to deliver services to customers traveling across the world from Panama hub. Some of the agencies that are ready to collaborate with Emirate Airline are other Airlines using Tocumen International Airport. Competitors such as Copa Airline, Delta Airlines that play an important role in marketing channel. Other collaborators are government of Panama, 13 countries that the Emirate Airline route will follow. There are some other local businesses that will supply office stationeries to the hub in Panama (Bartett 2009, pp 75). Climate Climatic conditions for business compost of business environmental factors that determines success of Emirate Airline business in Latin America. Some of the climatic conditions are political, economic, technological and social factors. Avionic-political environment has been the ant hill for the company since Emirate Airline had to seek permission from 13 different countries along the panama market. Technological environment on the other hand include media companies that will help in advertising Emirates Airline products. Moreover, the company will use its website and social media pages to reach out customers that are spread across Central and South America (Solis 2011, pp. 201202). 2.Analysis of the market entry modes and one recommended mode of entry Emirates is an international corporation that has its base in Dubai, Emirates Airline operation in Latin America require a modest entry mode. Entry of Emirates in the Latin America market targeting Panama City requires analysis of different market entry modes. There are two type of entry modes, equity or non-equity. Firstly, non-equity market entry mode consists of export and contractual agreement. Exporting mode consist of starting business in foreign country without investment facilities in foreign country. Contractual agreement makes extension in foreign market without commitment. Secondly, equity mode is the foreign entry mode that is divided into two, wholly owned subsidiary or joint venture (Bartett 2009, pp 75). Recommended market entry mode The best international or foreign market entry mode for Emirate Airline is equity mode. Wholly owned subsidiary is the recommended entry mode for Emirate Airline in the Panama. The subsidiary hub of emirates will be situated in Tocumen International Airport. Emirates base will be under direction from the Emirates headquarters in Dubai. The parent Emirates in Dubai headquarters has already set staffs in Panama City to in collaboration other stakeholders such Copa Airline and Tocumen International Airport management. In this mode of entry a team of management sent from the headquarters or recruited from the indigenous people will run the hub with direction from Emirate Airline headquarters (Flight International 2006, pp34). 3.Application of effective marketing mix strategies Emirates as corporation that markets its services in panama city applies the marketing mix as its marketing strategies. The marketing mix traditionally consists of the 4Ps, product, promotion, price and place. These 4Ps are interconnected together to assist the company reach its marketing objectives of excelling in international market. Product Emirates products are consisting of in flight services and on ground services that are. In flight services are grouped into various classes such as first class, business class and economy class. Firstly, first class services are in flight services characterized with expensive or luxurious environment for passengers. Some of the room accessories include adjusting your own seat and multiple entertainment devices. Secondly, business class to attract customers Emirates has award winning services including phone, SMS or email services connected to the customer seat. Staffs are trained to endeavor in serving customers in the best way possible. Thirdly, economic class is another with much space to allow more customers with comfortable rooms. Some of services that are available in business class such as SMS, email and phones accessories are available in economic class (Constantinides 2006, pp 407-438). In addition to products there are also some other advantageous services called membership levels. These rewards assist the company to assess its membership are skywards and business rewards that earned when using Emirates. Firstly, skywards membership is grouped into three categories blue, silver and gold. The starting level of reward is blue, continuous use of emirates earn silver then gold. These rewards give the customer privileges and benefits reserved to frequent travelers. Secondly, business rewards are open to legal citizen of countries that are destination for Emirates. The reward is mostly for organization that has participants with the emirate corporation. At the entry into Panama City passengers will also be allowed to participate in the rewards to help retain customers (Rodrguez, Rabanal Rubio 2017, pp 178196). Place Place is the second component of the marketing mix that is applied in the emirate company. The place here represents the distribution channel for the emirates services and is mainly done within its websites. The main distribution point is emirate.com websites where customer can book their flight to any destination across its more than 80 countries. This implies that travelers from Panama will have to access the website for emirates to book their flight to the destination they want. Another feature of distribution is seat booking that goes in hand with flight book that is done at the companys website and call centers. This feature allows the passengers to select seats that they want (Kotler 2012, p.25). Promotion Emirates promote its services through the help of special offer section that contain different types of offers. For instance, one of the notable offers available is kids go free Dubai that gives accommodation, flight, meals and entry to Dubai free for two children under age of 16. This promotion will also be available for children from Latin America who travel though panama city route to Dubai. When a customer visits the website for Emirates, customer is prompted with list of promotion from the promotion section. This section gives variety of promotions and the terms or conditions for one to get offer. Moreover, eligibility for the offer is also outlined in the offer section (Peng 2009, pp 5). Price Emirate Airline ticket is obtained upon booking at the company website. There are numerous competitors that charge relatively high price than Emirate Airline. Some of the competitors are Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways offers high price as compared to Emirate Airline. Prices for different services available at Emirate Airline are outlined on its websites mostly emirates.com or subsidiary for destination countries. Upon accessing Emirate Airline website, various destinations through various routes are clearly placed including the proposed cost of route to Panama City (McDonald, Burton Dowling 2002, pp 67). 4.Implementation strategies in the new marketplace Implementation is a critical stage of introducing Emirates services into panama market. There are many theories that have been proposed that help in implementation of the marketing strategy in new market place. According to Anderson (2005, pp 34),the most common implementation components are go to market strategy, product launch, channel conflict management, return to market and comparison of strategic marketing. Go to market implementation stage is where the Emirate Airline will start implementing its annual marketing plan in Panama. Within the go to market strategy that Emirate Airline will use manageable marketing mix strategy that is accompanied with media publicity. Going to market strategy allow Emirate Airline introduce products into the Latin American market. Product launch is the second component that entails going to Panama and mobiles staff to launch the services to customers. During launch of products in Panama City marketing goals are aligned to the market and company strategic. Thirdly, channel conflict management comprises of introducing Emirate Airline services into the Latin America to allow decision made by stakeholders. At this level of implementation also bring together channel partners such as Copa Airline who are competitors but also are moderates of the channels. The decision involves determination of the accomplishment of marketing plan. Return of market strategy is th e next strategy that also assists in the management to analyze the level of implementation. The marketing executive uses the fiscal success data to evaluate the success of implementation (John Katherine 2008, pp 827838). Conclusion In conclusion, Emirate Airline Company has marketing entry strategy that it will use to enter the Latin American market with the hub at Panama market. The three most important stages are situation analysis of the market, market entry mode, the most recommended mode of entry and the marketing strategy implementation stage. To succeed in the introduction of the Emirate Airline services in Latin American market a good marketing mix is important that takes into consideration of product, place, price and promotion. Finally, wholly owned subsidiary mode of entry is recommended as the best market entry mode. References Anderson, G, March 2005, Framework for marketing planning. Michigan Business school, pp 34 Bamber, GJ, Gittell, JH, Kochan, TA, Nordenflytch, A, 2009, Up in the Air: How Airlines Can Improve Performance by Engaging their Employees. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, pp 9. Bartett, CA, 2009, Transnational Management: Text, Cases and Readings in Cross-Border Management. 5th Ed., McGraw-Hill Higher Education, pp 75 Constantinides, 2006, The Marketing Mix Revisited: Towards the 21st Century Marketing," Journal of Marketing Management, vol. 22, pp 407-438 Cullen, K, Praveen P, John B, 2011, Strategic international management (5th ed.). Australia: South-Western Cengage Learning pp. 234 Emirates, October 2010, 25 Years of Excellence: Building a global network". Airliner World. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing: pp 2837. Flight International, 2531 July 2006, Sutton, UK: Reed Business Information Ltd, pp34 Hitt, A, 2009, Strategic Management Competitiveness and Globalization, Nelson Education Ltd, pp 23-43 John AQ Katherine EJ, 2008, Milestones in Marketing. Business History Review. The President and Fellows of Harvard College, Vol.82, pp 827838. Kotler, P, 2000, Marketing Management, (Millennium Edition), Custom Edition for University of Pheonix, Prentice Hall, p. 9 Kotler, P, 2012, Marketing Management. Pearson Education, p.25. McDonald, F; Burton, F, Dowling, P, 2002, International Business, Cengage Learning EMEA, vol. 6, pp 67 Peng, MW, 2009, Global Business, Mason: South-Western College Pub, pp 5 Rodrguez, I; Rabanal, P; Rubio, F, 2017, How to make a best-seller: Optimal product design problems. Applied Soft Computing, vol.55 (June 2017), pp 178196 Sambidge, A, 2015, Emirates adds Benfica to sports sponsorship portfolio. Arabian Business, pp 8 Retrieved on 19 May 2015. Steenburgh, T; Avery, J, 2010, Marketing Analysis Toolkit: Situation Analysis. Case Harvard Business Review, pp 76. Retrieved on 4th February 2010. Solis, B, 2011, Engage: The Complete Guide for Brands and Businesses to Build, Cultivate, and Measure Success in the New Web, John Wiley Sons, Inc. pp. 201202.

Learning Styles and Pedagogy

Introduction As an individual within the teaching profession, I realise how it is often important to examine myself to determine the effectiveness of my performance. It is an aspect of critical reflection that questions my actual performance, thereby helping me in finding answers to some of the most pressing questions.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Learning Styles and Pedagogy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The critical reflection helps in developing the profession because it acts as a building block, enabling the strengthening of weaker areas and enhancing performance even further in best performed areas (Leung Kember, 2003, p. 61). Learning and teaching processes or activities, although conducted differently, are similar in many important aspects (Roxà ¥, Mà ¥rtensson Alveteg, 2011, p. 99). I consider the manner in which I learn fundamentally to have a direct bearing on the way I eventually t each my students. It is impossible to be a teacher without having undergone learning because the two are mutual. This paper draws from the principles of career reflection to reflect on my career as a teacher. The paper explores the learning and teaching processes as a whole. The paper then delves deeper into the numerous factors that are involved before critically reflecting on some of the principle concepts that are involved in both processes. Learning Process and the Factors Involved Learning is a demanding process that evidently depends on the responsibility of the individual to a large extent (Bhusry Ranjan, 2012, p. 313). Unless an individual feels that he strongly owns and is directly responsible for the entire process, learning may never be achieved regardless of how much effort is involved. I practically discovered this during my days as a trainee in graduate school. Although I had very little thought initially about my exact style of learning, I eventually determined my pr ecedence when I gradually appreciated the fact that the entire process depended on my own responsibility and resolve. As a trainee in graduate school, I discovered that three critical approaches of learning were effective in my studies. They involved group discussions and learning, practical presentations and activity, as well as continually tackling assignments (Moores, Change Smith, 2004, p. 77).Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The results of this experience were manifest in me because my main strategy of learning had initially relied heavily on reading class work and other related texts. There was a clear change in my performance and overall grasp immediately I switched strategies. This assessment has increased my ability to make a substantive and intellectual conclusion regarding my way of learning. I specifically understand what my strengths are and, consequently, rea lise some of the weaknesses that I face. I have a clear knowledge on some of the ways that can help in increasing opportunities for my career growth, including methods and techniques for addressing weaknesses. Nevertheless, as Tomlinson et al. (2003) rightly assert, individuals differ in their learning ways and styles that directly affect their performance. While my strategies of learning paid off substantially, I realised that quite a number of my colleagues had their own suitable methods of learning that did not necessarily resemble one another’s. Some trainees complained that learning in groups affected their concentration so much that there was little learning achieved in the end. They preferred doing studies on their own within very quiet and secluded environments. The process of learning only becomes successful when it transforms an individual in terms of his understanding and knowledge. The basic principle of learning for any student is to begin with accepting and cons idering the need for change (Bellas, 2004, p. 19). This happens from an individual’s point of view where a learner must accept the knowledge acquired to transform him. I have my main conception of learning as a process that leads to the acquisition of facts and procedures needed to achieve an objective. As a learner, I often test the extent to which I have undergone transformation by attempting sample questions and applying the algorithms, skills, and formulae that I have studied before. I use the resultant score to these self-administered tests and sample assessment questions to determine the extent of the transformation undergone.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Learning Styles and Pedagogy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Teaching Process and the factors Involved Gurney (2007, p. 89) describes teaching as an educational process that should focus on creating nourishing experiences to enable t he learning process to be natural and inevitable. Teaching should concisely refer to practical actions of expediting learning for the students, instead of focusing on any other related aspect. Quality teaching entails ten basic characteristics that include focusing on the achievement of students, performing pedagogical practices that result in caring, and all-inclusive and unified learning communities. It must create effective links with the school’s cultural context, be responsive to the learning processes of the students, as well as offer sufficient learning opportunities (Gurney, 2007, p. 90). Other quality aspects of teaching include compound tasks and contexts, which help in supporting learning cycles, effectively aligning curriculum goals, and a practice that insists on issuing students with feedback about their task engagement. As Gurney (2007, p. 90) further records, teachers and students must often engage in coming up with goal-oriented assessment and formulate a sys tem that promotes learning orientations, metacognitive strategies, student self-regulation, as well as a thoughtful student discourse. My teaching methodologies have greatly been influenced by my learning styles. I have a greater feeling that encouraging students to study in groups can enhance their academic performance a great deal. However, I also appreciate the fact that students are not all the same. Just like some of my colleagues in college did not approve of group discussion as the best way of studying, I realise that some of my students may also be finding it an ineffective method of studying, depending on their own understanding and belief. Regarding Gurney’s quality methods of teaching (2007, p. 90), I have picked on engaging with my students constructively in order to carry out a comprehensive goal-oriented assessment.Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More I use such sessions to allow the students to determine the kind of difficulties they face in their studies, as well as evaluate their areas of strength. It eventually gives me the leverage to establish the best teaching techniques that suit each of the students, thus avoiding the mistake of using a uniform strategy for the entire class. Teacher knowledge, enthusiasm, as well as responsibility for learning are yet other critical aspects that determine teaching as a process (Eisner, 2002). Because teaching entails passing of knowledge, it will depend with the quality of knowledge that I have as a teacher for a student to learn fully as anticipated. I often go through my prepared notes in advance before I go to class to teach the students. This gives me confidence because it assures me of whatever I am teaching, unlike entering a class without having previously prepared on the subject to be taught. My Personal Learning Style I am an extroverted individual with a strong sensing percepti on. I rely on intuition and feelings to make decisions. My attitude toward the outside world is mainly formed out of my own judgement as opposed to the perceptions that I have. Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, I am an extroverted, sensing, thinking, and judgement person (ENFJ) (Sample, 2004, p. 67). My extroversion explains why I prefer group work as the best methodology for my studies. During my teacher training session as an undergraduate, my studying was done mostly during the day to allow for long discussion sessions with my colleagues. After realising the fact that I performed well in study groups, we organised ourselves together in a study group of five people comprising of individuals with the same personality types. Learning mainly took place between 8 am and 4 pm, where we took turns in doing short presentations to enforce the transformation process of knowledge. Most of the personal studies in my room in the evenings only lasted for a maximum of two hours as they only entailed tackling of assignments and sample questions. The tackling of self-administered assignments and questions offered me the opportunity to evaluate myself concerning knowledge transformation. My general perception, which is ‘intuition’ as described by Myers-Briggs, had a strong bearing on my learning (Cools Van, 2007, p. 359). This continues to affect my learning process even at present concerning the general life phenomenon. I am fast at learning and gaining general knowledge. I do not necessarily rely on value facts and data to enhance my learning. While attending the study group in college, I would focus all my presentation of ideas and facts that I studied to support myself. Equally, I would challenge other members whenever they made their presentations to support their positions with determined ideas and facts and show the extent to which they had understood a concept. Another critical aspect of my ‘intuitive’ perception that has been criti cal in my learning is a routine application of the facts and skills learned. I insisted on using the exact terms and methodologies used in class by my instructor to enhance my grasping of the knowledge. Honey and Mumford Test As a teacher who has developed great interest in teaching and learning, I have done a Honey and Mumford test to understand my learning style. I have determined that I am an activist from the results. I have personally learned by doing things. I involve myself directly in executing the concepts and ideas as they are established. This gives me first-hand experience to explore on what the knowledge or learning process involves. I am open-minded in my approach to learning. I accept new challenges in learning. My preferred learning activities include brainstorming, where I prefer coming up with new ideas and thinking. I like involving myself in problem solving activities and encounters and participating actively in group discussion. I also prefer taking up roles tha t strengthen my learning by putting studied theories into action. Competitions and puzzles also influence my learning because they offer a basis upon which I can compare with others and evaluate myself. Howard Gardner’s Test I have used Gardner’s multiple intelligence tests to further ascertain my personality and how it influences my learning style. The results underscore a low spatial-visual kind of intelligence, with a score of 5. It implies I am poor when it comes to making interpretations of visual images and pictorial imagination. Thus, pictures, shapes, and images are not the best learning tools and materials that I can rely on. I have also scored poorly in physical and aural intelligence areas, meaning that the use of music, rhythm, sounds, touch, feel, and physical experience are not the best learning styles for me. My verbal, social, solitary, and logical intelligences, however, are higher. I scored 16, 15, 14, and 11, in these categories respectively. It impl ies that I have a higher mastery of language and words used in communication, while my ability to socialise and relate with others is also high. On these two accounts, my most preferred learning style is by use of language and words, as well as through human contact, teamwork, and cooperation. The high score in solitary or self-awareness implies that I am aware of my personal objectives and able to understand myself clearly. It also influences my relationship with others and the way I relate to the world. Self-reflection and self-discovery are, therefore, two of my most critical aspects of learning. Additionally, a higher score in mathematical or logical intelligence implies that I am good in mathematical calculations, scientific reasoning, and general analysis of problems. Numbers and logic are my best learning styles because I am comfortable with them and I can easily make interpretations. Piaget and Vygotsky Influence Piaget and Vygotsky have contributed towards the subject of le arning and education by establishing the cognitive development theory. According to the theory, the learning processes and capabilities of mental growth in children influence the way they learn (Pass, 2004, p. 18). Understanding cognitive development, therefore, is crucial for teachers because it provides them with the advantage of treating each child in a unique way. In turn, it provides all the children with the opportunity to acquire knowledge in the best possible way without being hindered by their own integral limitations and barriers. The cognitive-development theory holds that the learning process is affected by the attitudes and beliefs of the learner, as well as the context under which teaching is taking place. How this knowledge influences my teaching style I have learned that the quality of my teaching, which is directly reflected by the individual performance of my students, depends on the efforts I expend with a view of improving performance. Teaching is a process that entails many other factors including my personality and emotions, with the actual interaction with the students in a classroom environment only representing the final stage of the process. Thus, I must build a personality type that will, in turn, sustain learning for my students. I often work on my moods and emotion, particularly when I am feeling low, because I realise this has a negative effect on my teaching. The physical environment, equally, must be made in a way that supports teaching. The presence of features that distract concentration during learning need to be removed and a favourable environment created for the benefit of the teacher. In the school where I teach, I ensure the walls in the classrooms have reading material that students can look at and continuously get the reminder that it is a learning environment. I have also integrated student feedback mechanism into my teaching style. This is something I previously never considered to be important. I discovered that som e students are not bold enough to disclose to me as their teacher some of the issues that are affecting their learning (Alton-Lee, 2003). However, with the use of an elaborate feedback mechanism, such students are confident enough to share some of the issues that they encounter during their learning. They mostly prefer written feedback, instead of direct physical talk that I preferred. I have consequently combined the two systems together such that I employ them depending on the preference of the students. Feedback information gives me a lot of insight into the whole teaching practise. It is almost impossible to succeed in this work without depending on it. It is a two-way system of both communication and evaluation, where I am able to appraise my teaching performance by analysing the feedback I get from the students. On the other hand, I also inform the students of my actual expectation of their performance and point out the exact areas that I expect them to add more effort. Critic al Reflection on the Key Concepts The assessment strategy plays a critical role in the learning process as it helps in the enhancement of skills development. By using assessment, students are continually reminded about the need for them to grasp facts and concepts and be able to apply them correctly whenever the need arises. However, there is also danger in over relying on this strategy. It may easily force students to resort to cramming as a way of learning, thereby defeating the whole logic and intent of the process. As a teacher, I am only impressed when the students I teach learn and understand whatever is taught without appearing to do it for the sake of excelling in their examinations. Although, examinations provide the means for evaluating students and the extent of their learning, they may sometimes provide an erroneous picture about the whole scenario. Critical thinking in learning, on the other hand, is only possible where the learners are transformed through education. Le arning, therefore, represents the extent to which the individual is transformed in the way of his thinking and reasoning. It is possible for a student to attend school, but still fail to achieve transformation. Such a student may score highly on examinations and assignments, but still fail to undergo any form of transformation. It is, therefore, important for other evaluation mechanisms, such as practical execution of tasks and concepts taught, to be used in evaluating students in combination with assignments and examinations. Conclusion Teaching and learning make part of a complementary process that can never succeed without going hand in hand. My teaching style mainly reflects the way of learning that I preferred most while still attending graduate school. I am an extrovert who mainly feels comfortable dealing and working with others. My most preferred style of learning entails using discussion groups to make presentations and exchange ideas with others. I have, however, realised as a teacher that not all students prefer this method as the best for learning. In essence, I use a mixed approach for my student depending on what they consider most appealing for themselves. The feedback mechanism is a critical mechanism for me as a teacher because it provides me with the ability to evaluate the responses of my students, as well as get their appraisal of my teaching. 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Tomlinson, CA, Brighton, C, Hertberg, H, Callahan, CM, Moon, TR, Brimijoin, K, Conover LA Reynoldsm T 2003, ‘Differentiating instruction in response to student readiness, interest, and learning profile in academically diverse classrooms: a review of literature’, Journal for the Education of the Gifted, vol. 27, no.2/3, pp. 119-145 This critical writing on Learning Styles and Pedagogy was written and submitted by user L1l1ana to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.