"SLC | S21W1: Developing a Learning Contract"

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Can you explain what obstacles a teacher may face in the classroom learning process? (2 Points)

Being a teacher isn't as easy as one may see it, because of the challenges that teachers face in the classroom learning process. Most of the obstacles a teacher faces in the classroom learning process can impact the learning environment and students. Based on my days as a teacher I was faced with several obstacles such as the ones I have shared below.

• Classroom Management: Teachers do find it challenging to maintain order and create a positive learning environment in a classroom where there are diverse needs and student behavior which I faced as a teacher.

• Limited Resources: While as a teacher, I worked with insufficient materials, technology, and staff in the school which was an obstacle for the teachers that were staff in the school. Limited resources are a hindrance to the learning process.

• Time Constants: Teachers find it difficult to balance their time, which combining, lesson plans, administrative activities, teaching time, and grading can be hectic for teachers.

• Equity and Inclusion: It is usually an obstacle for teachers to ensure that all students in the classroom have equal opportunities to succeed, most especially in diverse classrooms.

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What do you think is the importance of learning contracts and how have learning contracts helped your teaching process so far? (2.5 points)

I think the importance of learning contracts is to give ownership to students over their learning at the outset of the classroom. It is a way teachers use to encourage students to reflect on how they can learn within and outside the classroom. During my days as a teacher, learning contracts helped me to create an independent study unit for myself.

Importance of learning contracts

• Learning contracts help to keep less independent learners on course with specific goals to achieve, which as a teacher then, helps me to meet my goals.

• Learning contracts help to encourage the independence of students, which results in teachers having much time to research. As a teacher then learning contracts help to focus on other things as my students became less dependent on me.

• Learning contracts help me as a teacher to provide a way formal way for me to structure my learning goals and activities which helps me to reduce poorly communication and misunderstanding.

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What important components should be included in a learning contract and explain why they are helpful to you? (2.5 Points)

Five important components should be included in a learning contract which is:

• Learning objectives This has to do with the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and values that the learners (students) will acquire.

• Learning Resources and Strategies: This has to do with how these objectives are to be accomplished by the learner (student).

• The target date for completion: This deals with how long the lessons will take.

• Evidence of accomplishment: This deals with the evidence that will be presented to demonstrate the objectives that are completed.

• Criteria and Means for validating evidence: This helps in checking the progress of the learner (student).

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What are your strategies for ensuring student compliance with the learning contract and how have the consequences worked so far, or do you have other ways of organizing the learning activities to remain effective? (2 points)

As a teacher then my strategy for ensuring students' compliance with the learning contracts was:

• Asking open-ended questions to students.

• Incorporating and encouraging group activities.

• Understanding the interests of my students before making decisions.

• Including activities and games in the learning process

• Encouraging my students to share their work.

• Giving and asking my students for feedback.

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I am inviting: @kuoba01, @simonnwigwe, and @lhorgic