MY PDP

MY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Right now, I am second year of Science Education student at Sultan Idris Educational University (UPSI). I still have four semesters to accomplish my study. Studying science is really challenging to me since we need to expert in four subject that enclosed in science package; biology, chemistry, physic and mathematics. In the coming a five years, as professional science educator, I would like to become a leader in the field science education at the school I am teaching later. To achieve this, I will teach with a dedicated, devoted my time and energy to educate. To make my students think critically, I will use more students centered method to teach. I will ensure that every student in the school will fall in love with science. I will hold seminar, classes and come out with interesting teaching school to attract student’s interest towards science.

I am dedicated to improving my skill in handling laboratory apparatus and material. To me, lab session is really important time for students to absorb knowledge and understand better after attending the theory class. Lab can be fun and they get students thinking about the things they are learning in a different way. Instead of dry equations on a blackboard, students will see what happens when waves interfere, how potential energy actually works, etc. They also often get students asking questions they would not otherwise have thought of. Through lab session, students know the idea of error, which is very important in interpreting all kinds of data. Furthermore, they train future scientists to do what they will do every day.

I am dedicated to learning more about different learning environments to help student learn better. Assessment-centered and community-centered environments can impact learners. As a teacher, I would like to explore and create several different learning environments to meet the needs of my students and promote active learning. On assessment-centered environment, students need to be given opportunities to continually improve their skills and demonstrate knowledge. This can be accomplished through regular teacher feedback and encouragement to reverse final products, whether they are project or mid-test. There are several aspects of community on community-centered environment. As a teacher, I can establish either a competitive or cooperative tone in the community of the classroom. 

            I believed that science is not defined by school board, governors, or even Presidents. It leads to where it leads; unpredictably but consistently. I have two goals in class; to teach science and to preserve a child’s wonder. In the classroom, I will work to improve memory retrieval failure. Active reading exercises in the classroom such as writing down the key words, definitions or phrases help transfer information from short-term memory to long-term memory. Another way I can use to determine whether students are retaining information is to encourage them to repeat the directions and define each term. Instead of using only a visual reference to teach new concept, I can also use an audiotape that explains the same information and have students repeat information.

            In the classroom, I will work to enhance or improve my skills and implement classroom assessment activities into science course to enhance student’s educational experience. Assessment is an on-going process whose goal is understanding and improving student learning. The more we now about students and their experiences during the earning process, the better we can meet learning needs and establish a positive learning environment. Teachers should know that assessment is not an “add-on” but an integral part of the learning process. It is a collaborative effort, it is not something “done to students” but rather something “done with students” in which they gain valuable information about their own learning.

In the classroom, I will integrate style of teaching based on learning style. I will not take it easy and only teach one style of learning only. Visual learners may not be interested if I just use the audio-only technique in the classroom. Diversity technique is very important to help them more quickly understand a lesson I plan to continue my formal studies in Information and Technology education in relation to how to handle class with the use of computer and technology. Technology has revolutionized the world. The current generation of students learns better when they are taught with the aid of technology. Blogs, podcasts, and wikis are powerful tools that are available for teachers and students. There are numerous benefits in using technology, so teachers have not choice either than mastering knowledge in information and technology. I love technology and hope that my students share the same passion I have for technology.

I plan to attend science education conferences to explore the future of higher education and research in the context of progress in science that has never happened before, engineering and technology and to develop new model for higher education system. In my point of view, the science education conferences sends a very clear message to young minds that science are fun, useful, and an excellent career related choice. I plan to attend workshop in technology and pedagogy. There is no doubt that technology is important during these day, so, to not be left behind in technology, I would like to attend this workshop. Technology brings learning to life, there is more advance learning software, and better research capabilities with the internet. Pedagogy described “how to be a teacher” or the art of teaching and argued for a scientific approach. Lack of attention to pedagogy explains why many children bog own in school or drop out entirely. A lack of affection to pedagogy also explains why new technologies have failed to realize their potential in many classrooms across the land.