Shannen Doherty, an expert in effective modelling, and Jim Brassil, a professional in teaching strategies, delve into the art of modelling in primary education. They unpack what modelling is and share guiding principles for its effective use. Listeners learn about the gradual release of responsibility from teacher to student and how to assess modelling techniques. With insights on student engagement, adaptive strategies, and the role of vocabulary in learning, this conversation is a treasure trove for educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods.
Effective modeling in primary education relies on clarity and strategic use of images to enhance student understanding.
Differentiation and formative assessment are essential for adapting teaching methods to meet diverse student needs during modeling.
Deep dives
Defining Effective Modeling
Modeling is viewed as an essential instructional strategy where teachers demonstrate concepts, processes, or approaches to students. It serves multiple purposes: establishing a benchmark for excellence, making abstract success criteria tangible, and revealing the thought processes of experts to novices. Effective modeling helps students understand not only what to do but also why it’s done in a certain way, allowing for deeper comprehension. Recognizing the prerequisites such as teaching context and student readiness is crucial to ensure that the modeling effectively meets the diverse needs of learners.
Practical Principles for Modeling
Effective modeling is guided by several key principles, including clarity, explicitness, and the strategic use of images and language. Clarity is paramount, particularly in avoiding cognitive overload by minimizing unnecessary teacher talk while ensuring comprehensive explanations. The careful selection of images and use of language must be tailored to the teaching context, as this enhances understanding of complex concepts. Additionally, preparing numerous examples ahead of time allows teachers to address misconceptions and adapt their modeling spontaneously during lessons.
Adapting to Different Learners
Differentiation is critical when implementing modeling strategies for diverse learner groups. Teachers must be responsive, adapting their approaches based on real-time assessments of student understanding and engagement. This can involve varying the depth of examples provided, the pacing of instruction, or even how concepts are introduced based on the students' prior knowledge. Recognizing individual student needs and making necessary adjustments on the fly promotes a more inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.
The Importance of Formative Assessment
Formative assessment plays a vital role in determining the effectiveness of modeling in the classroom. It involves ongoing checks for understanding, allowing teachers to gauge student comprehension and adjust their teaching methods accordingly. The integration of efficient feedback mechanisms, such as the use of whiteboards and questioning techniques, is crucial for creating an adaptive learning atmosphere. Being prepared to modify the modeling process in response to student performance not only reinforces learning but also fosters a dynamic classroom environment.
Episode 171: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Shannen Doherty and Jim Brassil (@brassil88) for an exploration of effective modelling in the primary classroom. As part of the chat we discuss...
What modelling is (for the purposes of this episode)
Shannen and Jim's guiding principles for effective modelling
How to navigate the gradual release of responsibility from teacher to pupils
How to assess the effectiveness of our modelling
...and much, much more.
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If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.
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