Demonstrating Standard 3.7

3.7) Engage parents/caregivers in the educative process

Describe a broad range of strategies for involving parents/caregivers in the educative process

I have committed my pedagogy as a professional to relationship-based teaching, which includes a collaborative approach with a variety of school-based communities. One extremely effective method that I have developed over the period of development as a practicing teacher is the use of Wikipedia pages. This was particularly effective for several English classes for which I outlined the entire unit including upcoming assessment tasks, a timetable of what was to be expected in each lesson, and daily or weekly updates similar to a news feed. This forum also allowed the students to network with one another as well as post comments or questions on the site. Finally, this is a safe forum for students to utilise, as only those added by the teacher can see and interact on the sight. Finally, this method allowed parents or guardians to be involved in their child's learning, as they could access the site from home and keep an up-to-date record of their child's progress. This also provides a means of accountability for students with incomplete work due to lack of knowing.

The development of Personal Learning Plans within the National Australian Curriculum has also provided a pathway through which parental involvement is vital and appreciated by both students and the school staff. Through my experience as a tutor, I have witnessed the effectiveness of a program called 'Round Table Presentations' through which students are required to produce a presentation regarding their learning and progress. This is presented to a few of their closest educational environment-based connections (teacher and sub-school coordinator) as well as a member or members of their family. It encourages students to develop the reflective practices needed to present a clear and concise summary of their learning experiences.

Furthermore, another strategy is to involve parents/guardians into the Student Support Officer roles available at the school. This gives the students a sense of safety and familiarity, by having role models that do not seem as daunting as a teacher may be.