My role as a teacher is essentially to inspire learning and help students become independent learners.To achieve this I see myself more as a "coach" or facilitator. It is my obligation to provide multifaceted and engaging learning experiences to create meaning and build on what learners know. I need to lead my students to take ownership of their learning and create their own future opportunities in the changing world in which they live.

To do this I use the following array of strategies that support the productive pedagogies and modern learning theories which underpin my teaching practice:

• To structure learning experiences, I provide scaffolding, which helps students connect new ideas to previously learned content. By providing a student with sufficient information to be able to complete a task on his own and/or gradually decrease the amount of help available, I allow the student the capacity to work independently and take risks.
• Teach the developmental skills needed in order for students to learn.
• Provide self paced, independent, student centred, real life learning experiences so my students become independent in their learning pathway. Learning becomes self directed and self paced so students can achieve their desired goals.
• Provide multiple learning experiences using both written and oral communications, audios, videos, interactive opportunities so I can optimise the learning outcomes for students.
• Provide opportunities to talk, share, compete, cooperate and collaborate (discussion boards, wikis, chats, blogs, emails) with their peers as well as connect with others nationally and globally to gain a broader understanding of what they are learning. By incorporating higher order thinking skills students gain a deeper knowledge and understanding. This provides opportunities for students to develop new beliefs and ideas to transform their learning.
• Provide opportunities for students input into the learning process and give choices whenever possible to direct their own learning. In this way students have some control over what they learn and the ability to follow learning in their interest areas.
• Allow time for students to reflect on their learning experiences because it is from those reflections their understanding is clarified. Self assessment is part of this reflection process because it clearly compares their performance outcomes with what is required in the real world.
• Provide challenges and expect students to "strive for excellence"
• Give students the freedom to comment, interact and take the risks necessary for their growth
• Provide effective classroom management and develop a supportive, productive and positive working environment where students feel safe, secure, happy and their progress is monitored.
• Encourage students to have a sense of pride in all they produce
• Develop good work habits to plan and organise their time
• Use constructive feedback to improve performance and encourage students to reflect upon their outcomes.

I believe productive learning should be shared, on-going, life-long, low stress and most importantly enjoyable. In the classroom, we can all be students and teachers at the same time and to each other.