Following InTASC Standard 7, Standard 8: Instructional Strategies is described as the teacher understanding the importance of utilizing instructional strategies to support the learner’s broad understanding of key concepts and ability to apply the knowledge in various, meaningful ways. I firmly believe that implementing instructional strategies across education is one of the core foundations for both effective teaching and learning. An example of an instructional strategy that I utilized while in my placements is providing the students with strategies to connect prior knowledge and learning. More specifically, when introducing a concept to the class, I provided the students with a KWL Chart. This comprehensive chart provides the students …show more content…
For example, if I was presenting a lesson on The Eiffel Tower, the students may not be familiar with all key components, but through the use of a KWL Chart, the instructor can assess whether the student previously learned that The Eiffel Tower was in France, or that the student wanted to know what it was made out of. By gaining access to the students thoughts and knowledge, this increases the opportunity to provide meaningful information through instructional strategies. Throughout all of the artifacts in my portfolio, “changing it up” through the use of instructional strategies was a skill needed to successfully complete the assignment. For example, when creating lesson plans, the teacher must provide multiple instructional strategies to ensure that each student is applying the newly learned knowledge in meaningful ways that will resonate throughout academic growth.
Next, InTASC Standard 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice is illustrated as the teacher participates in lifelong learning and uses evidence based practices to evaluate the instruction. More specifically, Standard 9 focuses on the outcomes of choices and interaction with others such as students, families, staff, and the community. As
Standard 3 of the Standards is included in the domain of professional practice and its main aim is to ensure that effective teaching and learning occurs through focusing on comprehensive planning and goal-setting, teaching strategies, the use of resources, evaluation and communication with students and parents (Aitsl.edu.au, 2014a). Professional practice is made up of the knowledge, skills and practices required by teachers to meet the needs of their students (Zammit, 2007).
(1993) ‘Integrating theory and practice through instructional assessment’. Educational Assessment, 1(4). [Online] Available at: http://math.arizona.edu/~cemela/english/content/shortcourses/assessment/Day%25204%2520Reading.pdf (Accessed: 14 October 2015).
.Using teaching strategies that connect with individual student’s learning strategies. The ultimate goal is to provide a learning environment that will maximize the potential for student success. By taking diverse student factors into account when planning and delivering instruction.
Through exploring multiple learning theories and reflecting on my own teaching beliefs, I have developed my own theory of learning. As I developed my theory, I wanted to consider what it takes to be a highly effective teacher. An effective teacher must have mastery of instructional strategies, classroom management, classroom curriculum design, and use assessments as feedback (Laureate Education, 2010a). By using a variety of instructional strategies, teacher’s can meet the learning styles of all the students in the classroom. Effective classroom management can lead to students feeling safe and more willing to take risks. When a student feels comfortable to take risk, then learning will increase and the students’ confidence will grow. Classroom management also creates order in the environment, which will allow effective learning to occur. By understanding curriculum, the teacher can target skills and causes learning to take place. Teachers need to deliberately plan lessons around standards and specific goals based on curriculum and the school’s mission (Marzano, 2010). Assessments need to be use to guide instruction and used as a “method for improvement and mastery,” (Marzano, 2010). While determining my own theory of learning, I believe that I need to consider what effective teachers demonstrate in the classroom.
Education institutions were eager to adapt to pedagogical approach; it was is teacher-centered. The teacher determined what will be taught, when will it be taught, how it will be taught, and if it was learned the way he/she taught the lesson. (Ozuah) As I reflect back at the time I started teaching, this is how I taught. I was the only resource that my students had. I am happy to say that I have changed. I’m not the only resource at my students’ fingertips anymore. However, I do have to teach them the correct ways to use resources via the
Instead, EL students benefit in learning new content knowledge when an instructor methodically produces a lesson with a systematic I do you do approach; while purposely adding visuals whenever possible. Modeling content knowledge can be accomplished when the instructor writes the objective or provides an outline of what the lesson entails in student friendly vocabulary for each lesson where students can visually see. Next, the instructor should discuss what the end goal of the lesson is through hand gestures and changing the speed and tone of the voice to elaborate key concepts. Additionally, teachers should provide visual vocabulary whenever possible. Playing videos, word walls, or showing pictures of key vocabulary in a lesson will help students who struggle with differences in language grasp what is being asked of them more clearly. Lastly, instructor should show examples of projects and essays for reference. This will allow EL students to visualize the end product; allowing them to organize their ideas and
Kameenui, Edward J., and Deborah C. Simmons. Designing Instructional Strategies: The Prevention of Academic Learning Problems. Columbus, OH: Merrill Pub., 1990.
This standard requires a teacher to really understand his/her students especially through the ways they grow and develop. It is important for them to understand that every student is different and therefore, will learn in their own ways. The teacher then learns to meet the needs of all students specifically by creating learning experiences for all to comprehend. Differentiated instruction would be helpful in a classroom in order for the teacher to meet the needs of students who have differences when it comes to interests, readiness and learning needs.
Today I used a variety of instructional delivery methods to ensure that my students were able to accomplish the learning targets. Having different modes of instruction (direct instruction, individual writing, pair-share, small group discussion, large group discussion, etc.) allows students to demonstrate learning in a variety of ways. If students do not master a key skill, it also provides students to relearn, rework, and rethink key concepts. This type of instructional design also encourages engagement as it appeals to multiple learning styles and builds in time for me to interact with students in multiple ways (including one-on-one) (IE: Chloe can be quieter. I was able to touch base her to make sure that she understood the abstract vs. concrete exercise). Using multiple instructional delivery methods also provides me with opportunities to personally motivate students to be active in their learning (IE: Emily is very creative and likes small group work. IE: Taylor likes politics and would grasp the global climate change example IE: Big Mike works best when he has time to think individually before responding to a group. A notes handout helps him process key ideas before feeling pressured to apply them. IE: Several students enjoy speaking in large groups. Asking for examples and group participation appeals to the sense of camaraderie in the class).
In order for learning to take place in the classroom the teacher has to put in place an effective teaching and learning strategy. Being an effective teacher is not something that can be achieved instantaneously but rather something that has to be continuously developed and improved upon over time. Petty mentions how good teachers are not born but rather make themselves and that effective teaching comes from learning from your mistakes and successes. Petty, p. 516, 2009. This process involves teacher reflection and assessment of the effectiveness of different teaching strategies used in the classroom. It is only then that teachers can learn and advance themselves.
Using videos in the classroom provides multiple avenues for learning. Not only do students learn by seeing, but this also helped students develop auditory skills to be able to listen. Because visual learners learn by seeing, I can use maps to help students better understand concepts in social studies or history. Seeing where the pioneers traveled as well as talking about the climate and harsh conditions will allow the students to make sense of how the people had to survive. Another way I can utilize my talents are making posters with eye-catching cartoon characters. This will provide an opportunity for me to be creative and draw, but also make the subjects more appealing for when the posters are hung in the classroom. Graphs will prove to be helpful in math because I can do an experience, but also mark the results using a chart to provide a visual. This will also provide lessons in visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. Graphic organizers will be used a lot to compare and contrast two stories. This will make it easier to see the differences and similarities. Using my graphic organizer as an example, students have an example of what their work should
In a classroom, a teaching strategy is a generalized plan for a lesson which includes structure, instructional objectives and an outline of planned tactics, necessary to implement the strategies. Reece and Walker (2002) describe a teaching strategy as a combination of student activities supported by the use of appropriate resources to provide particular learning resources. It is that procedure by which new knowledge is fixed in the minds of students permanently. For this purpose, a teacher does extra activities in the class. These activities help the teacher to take shift from one strategy to another. A method of teaching on the other hand is directly related to the presentation of the lesson. The choice of the teaching method depe...
Students need to understand the essence of what is being said to them or presented to them during instructional periods. For students to understand what is being said to them, teachers should use graphic organizers to help students understand what is being taught to them. Teachers can also present applicable background information and content about what they are teaching. Teachers can also present information that brings the ELLs’ cultures and experiences into the curriculum and vocabulary;...
Many schools have different frameworks which outline what makes for effective teaching and learning in a classroom, these follow quite closely with the teacher’s standards.
The most successful teaching begins with clarity about important learning outcomes and about the evidence that will show that learning has occurred (Marzano, 2010, p. 74)