Contemporary Issues: All Students can learn, albeit at different rates in different ways

Resources for Teachers

Question: Does every person have the right to be educated. Yes or No?

It is imperative that every child in the classroom have equal access to education at their
own rate and in their own way. With the growing demand in schools for new and
different forms of learning it is important for teachers to likewise adapt themselves to the
changing needs of the classroom. It is not accurate to think that how we are learning to
teach at this moment will necessarily be relevant in 20 years or even 10 years from
now. This is why it is pivotal to know your resources as a teacher, so that you can have
the best chance of success to make learning work for each student.

Throughout our presentation Jaclyn, Andrew and Sam have shared great resources that
teachers can use to best meet the needs of their students. I am going to share a few
more with you now. These are resources that can be used in the classroom, in lesson
planning, to better understand student behaviour, and general useful information about
teaching and learning.

1)Learn Alberta - this is the curriculum set out by the government of Alberta
2) 2 Learn - techie gadgets and apps to help in the classroom
3) Academic Journals: example of important research in the field of education and
educational advances
4) Blog - Diane Kashin Ed. D - research and insights on teaching and learning in the
form of a blog
5) Books - on all different areas of teaching and learning
6) Magazine's - less dense than a book on all areas of teaching and learning
7) TeacherTube - essentially unlimited videos for anything you might want to do or
learn in a classroom
8) Ted Talk - (Getting at the heart of teaching - Lisa Lee) - a series of motivating and
inspiring messages for teachers
9) Pinterest- ideas, plans, work sheets, information on every subject for every grade.
10) many more

With essentially unending resources for teachers it is important to consider this

question, why do these resources matter to me as a teacher?
A study from 2011 done on the connection between teacher resources and student
outcomes explains that instruction is not something done by a teacher to their
students, but rather a process in which knowledge is collectively and collaboratively built
through and with classroom resources (pg. 1). The research concludes that,
resources do not cause positive change simply by being present (pg. 120). What is
important with any type of classroom resource is the relationship between the student,
the teacher, and the resource and that it is used effectively for the classroom
environment (pg. 120).

And let's not forget about three of the most important resources a teacher can have at
their disposal.
1) Discussion with other educators: support and corroboration of fellow teachers can
serve to provide important dialogue where new insight and ideas can be born.

2) Professional development: making the most our of your opportunities for professional
development is also valuable in coming to a deeper understanding of classroom needs
and how to best serve them.

3) Self reflection: a constant resource for a teacher as you ponder opportunities and
challenges for each student and adapt what you have planned for each need you see.

One more: Imagination and personality (Andrew: Dungeons and Dragons, Jaclyn:
Interior Decoration , Sam: Harry Potter, Vicky: Disney)

In conclusion, it is important to remember that you know what is going on in your

classroom and you know your students, and as you learn about each of your students
needs and reflect daily on each student and the learner outcomes you will come to
know what you can do to reach each person as an individual learner. With more
experience comes more knowledge, and with more knowledge comes better results.