STANDARD 4: CREATE AND MAINTAIN SUPPORTIVE AND SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
4.2 Manage classroom activities
4.2 Manage classroom activities
Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions
Evidence
“[student name], your hand is up. Do you have something you would like to say?”
Annotation
Students using the ‘raise you hand’ function on Google Meet when they had something to contribute
Reflective statement
In order to manage the online learning environment during my placement, I followed my mentor’s lead and encouraged students to use the ‘raise your hand’ function on Google Meets. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have noticed that on Google Meets and similar platforms like Zoom it can be difficult to gauge appropriate gaps in conversation, making people more likely to interrupt or talk over one another. Using the ‘raise your hand’ function supports students to develop the important interaction skill of turn taking during conversation. Under the ‘interacting with others’ sub-strand in the year 1 English curriculum (ACARA, 2018, ACELY1788, Elaboration (2); Elaboration (3)), students are expected to “tak[e] turns, asking and answering questions and [attempt] to involve others in discussions”, and “demonstrat[e] active listening behaviour and [respond] to what others say in pair, group and class discussions”.
During lessons, students would use this function when they wanted to answer a question or share ideas and comments. By monitoring the queue, I was able to ensure that all students had the opportunity to contribute to class discussions and would not have to spend too long before their turn. Through doing this, I aimed to create a learning environment where students felt that their ideas were valued.
References
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2018). F-10 curriculum : English (Version 8.4). ACARA. https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/english/
