Summary of Domain 1 – Planning and Preparation Domain 1 focuses on the knowledge teachers have of their subjects’ content and pedagogy, teachers teaching content to the students, everything teachers teach has a purpose, designing coherent instruction how important it is planning, teacher’s using resources to enhance student learning, reflecting teacher’s knowledge of content and students in the class, intended outcomes and available resources, needing both the assessment of learning and assessment for learning. Teachers must guide student learning by being an expert in the subjects they teach. Teachers need to be able to apply discipline in the classroom. Expert teachers know the skills and concepts to apply discipline and all teachers should strive to learn. Teachers should make sure every student is advancing in their learning. Using the best approaches to apply each discipline will make the classroom community advance in their knowledge base. Teachers must know not only their subject and its related pedagogy but also the student they teach. Teachers need to appreciate research in cognitive psychology – students learn through engagement with the content. All activities are directed towards the desired learning. Teachers should instruct exactly what the students will be expected to learn. The instructions should reflect the importance of learning. Students need various forms of assessments to demonstrate what they have learn and make sure they understand the content. Teachers need to know the important of using resources that are valuable to students to enhance their learning. Teachers choose the resources that will be of most use to the students and ensure materials and resources are appropriate to challenge every student. Teachers know what they are teaching and be active in students’ learning.
Why is Domain 1 important? Domain 1 is needed because if the teacher displays little understanding or interest in the content they are teaching, students may fall behind in their learning and become unmotivated to learn. Teachers need to know what skills are central to discipline to keep students on task, behave in the classroom and grow in their learning. Needed to ensure every student have the appropriate learning tools. Some students first language may not English, as well as some with other special needs. These students must be considered when planning lessons and identifying resources that will ensure their understanding. It is important for students to realize how important learning is. Not only is it important for students to learn but educators also hope they will like to learn. Every worksheet, quiz, project, test, activity must have a propose in the classroom to engage student to further their learning. Instructions are needed for the desired outcome the teacher expects. Teachers need to know the level of each student to know what they are capable of doing and not get frustrated because a test is too hard. The classroom needs to be organized and planned appropriately. Teachers need to be engaging students in their learning continually growing their knowledge. Having the students in mind when planning lessons and know not every student will pick up the concept as quickly as others should also be in the back of their mind. Teachers need to know if what they are teaching is being understood by every student in the classroom. Teachers need to be able to adapt to the needs of each individual student.
Teacher Perspectives Ways experienced gifted teachers and others have used Domain 1 in their classroom is by having assessments given in the beginning of new materials and the end to see growth in learning. Using Kahoot quizzes to give students a review study game and to see what concepts students need to work on. A gifted teacher also has used a interest survey to get to know her students better and find out what likes and dislikes they have. Having students give input in grade rubrics so students know exactly what is expected of them. She also using Twitter to share what is going on in the classroom and asks questions and gets involved in Twitter Chats to keep up-to-date on her knowledge base.
Sources: Planning and Preparation. (2017). Laurameadespgce.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 22 October 2017, from https://laurameadespgce.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/planning-and-preparation_1vlok01e.png Planning. (2017). Mash.ie. Retrieved 22 October 2017, from https://mash.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/group-business-people-meeting-planning-41699625.jpg The Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument. (2017). Static.pdesas.org. Retrieved 22 October 2017, from http://static.pdesas.org/content/documents/danielson_rubric_32.pdf