The Elements of Great Teaching – Dimension 4, Element 1
Jan 20, 2025
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Explore the art of 'structuring' in teaching, which goes beyond mere objectives to connect tasks with learning goals. Discover the importance of aligning activities with educational purposes, fostering deeper understanding through meaningful learning experiences. Engage with the complexities of classroom dynamics and the role of effective communication in enhancing student engagement. Plus, delve into innovative scaffolding techniques that promote independence while providing necessary support. It's all about transforming abstract concepts into actionable insights for better outcomes!
Structuring learning tasks effectively is crucial for enabling students to connect their activities with broader learning goals and outcomes.
Moving from abstract educational theories to practical strategies empowers teachers to communicate learning aims in an actionable manner.
Incorporating storytelling into lessons fosters student engagement and curiosity, allowing learners to grasp complex concepts through a cohesive narrative.
Deep dives
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Teaching
There is a significant divide between the research community and teachers, often leading to a lack of collaboration and understanding. Teachers may feel intimidated by research, fearing scrutiny over their practices, while researchers may hesitate to engage with classrooms due to misunderstandings about educational dynamics. Bridging this divide is essential for both parties, as researchers can provide valuable insights that enhance teaching practices, while teachers can offer real-world perspectives that inform research. Encouraging conversation and collaboration is key to fostering an environment where both teachers and researchers feel comfortable sharing knowledge and insights.
The Importance of Structuring Learning
Effective teaching revolves around the structuring of learning tasks in a way that actively engages students in deeper thinking. Great teachers communicate learning aims clearly, moving beyond mere lesson objectives to include concrete examples of tasks and questions. This structure helps students understand why activities are being conducted and how they connect to broader learning goals. The use of narrative to explain learning journeys creates an engaging context that aids students in making sense of their learning experiences.
Matching Tasks to Learning Goals
Successful teaching requires matching tasks to their intended purpose, a practice that is often more complex than it appears. Teachers need to be strategic about the difficulty of tasks, ensuring they promote deep thinking without overwhelming students. Using a variety of task structures can help adapt to students’ varying needs, where timing and type of task alignment greatly influence student learning. This adaptability allows teachers to create desirable difficulties that challenge students while facilitating growth rather than merely showing immediate performance.
The Role of Narrative in Learning
Narrative plays a crucial role in helping students connect ideas and form a cohesive understanding of what they are learning. By continuously weaving connections between lessons and fitting them into an overarching narrative, teachers enhance student engagement and motivation. This technique not only aids recall but actively fosters curiosity, stimulating interest in the material being taught. Incorporating storytelling elements into the educational process allows students to grasp complex concepts while nurturing a sense of adventure in their learning journey.
Effective Scaffolding Techniques
Scaffolding is essential for guiding students through complex tasks, but effective strategy hinges on knowing when to remove this support. Instead of assuming scaffolding is necessary for every task, teachers should assess student readiness to engage independently. Furthermore, the concept of reverse scaffolding can offer insight by first introducing a challenging problem followed by supportive strategies that facilitate understanding. This dynamic approach not only empowers students as learners but also helps them develop critical thinking skills necessary for tackling future challenges.
In episode nine of The Elements of Great Teaching, Adam Kohlbeck and I delve into Dimension 4: Activating Hard Thinking, focusing on Element 1: Structuring from the Model for Great Teaching.
What Does Structuring Mean?
Structuring goes beyond simply listing objectives or writing lesson aims. It’s about carefully designing and sequencing learning tasks to show students not only what they’re learning but also how these tasks contribute to their goals. Great teachers share learning aims in ways that help students understand what success looks like.
From Theory to Practice
In this episode, we highlight the importance of moving away from abstract statements and instead helping students connect tasks to learning goals. Adam provides a practical lens, sharing strategies that educators can use to make learning aims meaningful and actionable for their students.
Listen Below
Find out how structuring can lead to deeper understanding and better outcomes for your learners. Listen now and share your thoughts with us on social media.
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