Teaching & Learning
"In its broadest sense, learning can be defined as a process of progressive change from ignorance to knowledge, from inability to competence, and from indifference to understanding....In much the same manner, instruction-or education-can be defined as the means by which we systematize the situations, conditions, tasks materials, and opportunities by which learners acquire new or different ways of thinking, feeling, and doing."
Learning
Effective learning takes place when students know:
- How to make progress
- What they are achieving
- How to learn, including thinking and questioning skills, using methods and resources
- The attitudes needed in the classroom, including respect, interest, responsibility, responding to challenge
- how to work collaboratively and without close supervision
- how to work collaboratively
- The skills they need to develop, including enquiry, research, analysis, reflection
Teaching
Good teaching needs:
- Clear planning
- Assessment for learning
- Different teaching styles
- Pace and challenge
- Organised classroom management
- Effective partnership with Learning Support Assistants
- Good classroom relationships
- Relevant homework
- Monitored progress
- A stimulating environment
- Regular evaluation and review
Teaching and learning styles and strategies
- Explanation
- Instruction
- Questioning
- Observation
- Modelling
- Reporting back
- Investigation
- Consolidation and practice
- Problem solving
- Individual work
- Paired work
- Collaborative work
- Using ICT
- Extended writing
- Peer assessment
- Songs / rhymes
- Directing and telling
- Discussion
- Demonstration
- Listening
- Making judgements
- Oral Feedback
- Role play
- Research
- Brainstorming
- Sharing
- Games and puzzles
- Simulations
- Revision
- Self-assessment
- Feedback through marking
- Puzzles and games
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.
"Chinese proverb"
How can we help students to understand that the tragedy of life is not death; the tragedy is to die with commitments undefined and convictions undeclared and service unfulfilled?
Vachel Lindsay
A requirement of effective teaching is that the teacher understands how students think and how they view the world.(Piaget)