Rajeendra Lucky 1

Purpose Statement

The portfolio in my opinion can be seen as one of the most important written

documentation in the Diploma in Education program. It uniquely documents the teacher’s

psychological and philosophical experiences and thinking before the program began, as well as

knowledge and skills gained during the Diploma in Education program. Therefore it seeks to

document the development on a personal and professional level in the teaching profession. I

foresee that my portfolio will highlight this professional development; as it contains my

reflections of me as a teacher, the teaching profession, teaching, assessment, strategies, and the

importance of integration of technology in teaching.

Student engagement is one of the key element in any teacher/students learning context in

schools today. When engaged, teachers/learners are enthusiastic and excited about their subject,

their work is would be for gaining knowledge by enjoyment and self discovery. Engaged learners

work willingly, they approach their class assignments as something that matters to them for their

holistic development. It is my intention, that by assembling a portfolio, showing my growth and

development as a teacher can benefit the entire school community. I have always considered

myself to have a burning need to improve in my profession to expose myself to new practices to

benefit all students. This portfolio shows all the positive progression on how my progression in

knowledge acquisition and practice was instrumental in my desired outcome for the Diploma in

Education program.

Initially having personal reflections of me as a teacher, the students, and the teaching

profession provided me with the much needed detailed view based on my personal experiences

din the classroom and at school. However, during the course of the program, however, some of
Rajeendra Lucky 2

my methods, beliefs and views have changed over the period of the Diploma in Education

program; showing a drastic change in the way my teaching and students engagement for what is

expected of me as a teacher. The different methods in which I need to plan for the needs of my

students and my professional development in the present and the future.

Integration of Technology in the classroom can empower students (and in collaborative

learning groups) to engage in discussions, case studies, problem-solving, etc. Innovative uses of

multimedia, videos, games, creation of games, re-arrangement of furniture and charts allow

teachers to rely less on teaching, listening, and note taking, etc., and to explore classroom

activities promoting student inquiry, discovery, and collaborative-based learning. Teachers

themselves having reflective journals on various teaching models, strategies, assessments

methods and use of technology also serves to highlight methods to introduce innovative thinking

that was not previously utilized in the classroom. The journals taught me the key principles

involved in these teaching models ensuring that learning outcomes were the desired outcomes.

These articles placed in the portfolio, made me realize the growth that had taken place during the

Diploma in Education program. Strategies and teaching models that may have existed outside of

what is conventionally known; and that continuous reading and research can serve to improve

my understanding of the techniques in teaching. Unit Plans, Lesson Plans and Concept Maps are

key components of the portfolio. This portfolio serves to demonstrate how important it is to

become a reflective practitioner to become a life long researcher to improve the way we can

learn from our students, to better be a teacher in the new millennium.