Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.

This page provides evidence for meeting Standard 3 (specifically sub-standard 3.5) at a graduate level. 

This artefact is Mentor observation feedback form that was completed during a Mathematics lesson on my Primary Professional Experience 3. During my Professional Experience 3 I learnt many nonverbal teaching strategies from my mentor for both instruction and behaviour management. I selected this particular artefact as it shows how at the beginning of each lesson, I would identify the signals I would be using and their purpose. Nonverbal signals are ideal for students who need repeat reminders without drawing unwanted attention to them.

I have learnt nonverbal teaching strategies such as, when my arms were both up with palms showing, this meant silent thinking time. Then when I pointed both hands towards the class, this meant say the answer out loud as a class. I also learnt nonverbal behaviour management strategies such as ‘hands up top – that means stop’ behaviour strategy.

I also use verbal teaching strategies such as ensuring  I move around the classroom and use expression to emphasize points and use my voice strategically for a variety of purposes. To keep students engaged I use Bloom's Taxonomy, to encourage ‘curly questions’ from students as they engage in higher order thinking processes.

This artefact exemplifies the 3.5 AITSL standard as the students knew that when I placed my hands on my head, that they were to stop what they were doing immediately and give their attention to me. If students stopped listening during a lesson, I was stop speaking, stand silently and just wait for the students to resettle.

To improve this area to move towards the next career stage I will implement the use of nonverbal signals as an effective teaching strategy for EAL/D students or students who have other communication challenges.

• Descriptive title of the artefact: Mentor observation feedback
• Performance standard documented by the artefact: 3.3 Use Teaching Strategies
• Date created: 06/05/2021
• Who created the artefact: Laura Somers
• A brief description of the context in which the artefact was used: Mathematics lesson during Primary Professional Experience 3