#087 Tom Sherrington: Rosenshine’s Principles in Action
Jul 7, 2019
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Tom Sherrington, an experienced former headteacher turned educational consultant, shares insights from his book 'Rosenshine's Principles in Action.' He discusses effective teaching practices and how to implement Rosenshine’s principles in real classrooms. The conversation highlights successful school features and the importance of checking for understanding. Sherrington also emphasizes the balance between teacher-led modeling and student engagement while navigating individual learning paths, stressing ongoing professional development in education.
Tom Sherrington emphasizes the immediate applicability of Rosenshine's principles as essential strategies for enhancing effective teaching practices.
Checking for understanding is highlighted as a vital principle that requires teachers to continually assess and address student comprehension.
Modeling is essential in instruction, where teachers must not only demonstrate correct answers but also articulate their thought processes clearly.
Successful schools cultivate high expectations through a rigorous learning culture while ensuring that students engage positively with the material.
Collaborative professional development among teachers is crucial for fostering continuous improvement and deeper understanding in teaching practices.
Deep dives
Introduction to Tom Sherrington
Tom Sherrington is introduced as an experienced former headteacher and consultant with extensive experience across different types of schools, including comprehensives and grammar schools. He emphasizes the importance of quality teaching resources alongside effective teaching practices. His new book, "Rosenshine's Principles in Action," discusses instructional strategies based on Rosenshine's work and has garnered significant attention and adoption among schools, illustrating its relevance in contemporary education.
Importance of Checking for Understanding
Checking for understanding is highlighted as a crucial principle for effective teaching, involving continual assessment of student comprehension. This process ensures that teachers do not merely assume students have grasped concepts but actively engage with them to uncover misconceptions. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of making checking for understanding a routine part of teaching practice, employing various strategies to gauge student knowledge before moving forward with new material.
Clarifying Misconceptions and Engaging Students
Tom discusses the importance of process questions, which allow students to articulate their understanding and reasoning behind answers. This approach fosters a richer engagement with the material, as students are prompted to think deeply about their problem-solving methods. Through this technique, teachers can identify misconceptions and mistakes in real time, providing opportunities for immediate correction and clarification.
Modeling as a Key Teaching Strategy
Modeling is described as a foundational teaching technique that involves demonstrating problem-solving steps clearly to students. Tom emphasizes that effective modeling requires not only demonstrating correct answers but also articulating the thought process behind them. He advocates for teachers to be confident in modeling complex tasks and engaging students actively during this process, ensuring they are involved in discussions and encouraged to think critically.
Building a Culture of High Expectations
The conversation includes insights into how successful schools cultivate a culture of high expectations and rigorous learning. By prioritizing a strong understanding of fundamental concepts, schools ensure that all students are equipped to engage with more advanced material. The need for teachers to adopt a mindset that emphasizes incremental progress over time and fosters resilience in students is reiterated, suggesting that pushing students appropriately can lead to improved outcomes.
Navigating the Tension Between Pressure and Enjoyment
Tom addresses the delicate balance between demanding high levels of student performance and maintaining a positive learning environment. While high expectations are essential for student success, there must also be an element of enjoyment and engagement in the learning process. Effective teachers are those who can push students to achieve while creating an atmosphere of support and encouragement, allowing students to view challenges as opportunities rather than burdens.
The Role of Technology in Education
The discussion touches on the potential impact of technology and interactive tools in classrooms for enhancing teaching practices, particularly in relation to checking for understanding. As educational technology evolves, there is hope that it will provide new methods for real-time assessment and feedback. This advancement could reshape the way teachers approach instruction and student engagement, leading to more effective personalized learning experiences.
The Future of Educational Practices
Insights are shared about the longevity of Rosenshine's principles in the evolving landscape of education. Tom expresses confidence that the core ideas of checking for understanding, modeling, and structured learning will remain relevant, even as teaching methods and technologies develop. The discussion raises questions about the educational trends and how principles may adapt or integrate with future instructional strategies.
Promoting Collaborative Professional Development
Tom highlights the importance of collaborative professional development among teachers, suggesting that shared learning experiences can lead to deeper understanding and improved teaching practices. Schools should encourage teachers to work together, exchange ideas, and reflect on their practice to create a culture of continuous improvement. Effective training is framed as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event, fostering an environment where teachers feel supported in trying new methods.
Emphasizing Context in Educational Strategies
The conversation addresses the need for flexibility in applying educational theories to real classroom settings. While principles like those outlined by Rosenshine provide valuable guidance, they must be adapted to the specific needs and dynamics of each classroom. Teachers are encouraged to assess their students' unique context and adjust their approaches accordingly, ensuring that educational strategies resonate effectively with those they teach.
Tom Sherrington returns to the podcast to discuss his new book, Rosenshine's Principles in Action. We discuss which of the principles can be put into action straight away, and which can be developed over time. We also discuss the features of successful schools, and plenty more along the way.
