Professional Development Report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Professional Development Report - Research Paper Example The art of reflexive practice is the foundation for promoting a continuous learning cycle that improves knowledge and comprehension about one’s own talents and professional development (Paterson and Chapman 2013). This report utilises reflective methodology to assist in creating a relevant and well-defined Personal Development Plan inclusive of key concepts of professionalism development, personal development, and the extension of professional practice. The report makes detailed comparisons between teaching pedagogy and personal teaching ideologies to determine how this impacts teaching practice and underpins future strategy development in the classroom. In order to become fully self-actualised, the achievement of one’s greatest competencies and professionalism, it is necessary to reflect on one’s strengths and weaknesses whist recognising the vast amount of opportunities to become a more competent and efficient educator. Professionalism in the lifelong sector is viewed from several disparate perspectives. Troman (1996) views professionalism not as a set of absolutes, but as a socially-constructed ideology which is defined through managerial competencies with an emphasis on creating positive relationships with peers and other stakeholders. Fielding (2005) asserts that genuine professionalism in the educational sector is maintaining teaching integrity. Hence, professionalism, for the context of this report, will focus on professionalism in education as being inclusive of managerial competencies with a sociological emphasis and teaching integrity. An educator’s ability to articulate social awareness as an element of professionalism is to improve engagement quality with others (Brookfield 2012). To become a competent professional in this context, it requires a pedagogy that is inclusive of an emotional approach to the social dynamics of educational

Australian Social Justice Reflections Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Australian Social Justice Reflections - Essay Example 28). A number of possible factors influence these statistics. Possibly the catalyst for the further issues, especially in regards to social justice, is the racist sentiment towards indigenous people that has haunted Australia since its earliest settlement. This sentiment has shaped policies which have severely restricted the basic rights of many of Australia’s indigenous people. An example is the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007, which restricted access to such things as liquor and pornography for indigenous people throughout the territory (Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007). Though these may seem trivial, they merit note for the simple fact that it is only indigenous people who are restricted access from these things, whereas non-indigenous Australians enjoy no restrictions. Furthermore, a theory that has existed in Australia since well-before the Royal Commission of 1987-1991, is that law enforcement refuses to give indigenous peo ple the benefit of the doubt – due to historical and social prejudices and fears, and will arrest Aboriginal Australians for relatively minor offences, hardly meriting arrest. Such a theory implies that indigenous people are treated differently – unequally - from non-indigenous Australians. ... Indeed, there always are two sides to any issue. One of the best examples is that of opportunity of employment, of which the Aboriginal population is deficient. Elements of the community criticize the fact that the average income of an indigenous person is 62% of that of a non-indigenous person; yet, the community as a whole is evolving only slowly in regards to offering that desired opportunity of employment (A statistical overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, 2008, s. 6). To level the field, and truly equalize all strata of society – including indigenous Australians – a true upheaval is needed. However, this is not something that simply can be accomplished with the introduction of new legislation. The process must be a gradual one, aimed at eliminating old prejudices and introducing new ideals. Sources: Joudo, J & Curnow, J 2006, Deaths in custody in Australia: National Deaths in Custody Program Annual report 2006, Australian Institute of Criminology, viewed 11 March 2011, Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007 (Cwlth) A statistical overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia 2008, Australian Human Rights Commission, viewed 11 March 2011, Links used (won’t be included in sources/bibliography): http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/9/3/6/%7B9364DEB4-4951-4A57-BE89-0F43DB477344%7Drpp85.pdf (p.28) http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ntnera2007531/ http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/statistics/index.html#Heading331 (6) Part A – Article 2 – The political response to a social justice issue or some form of anti-social