Effective teaching methods

A recent focus group study involving gifted students in Grades 5 to 8 has revealed what actions show a teacher is being an effective listener during classroom discussions, and how these actions have an impact on their students’ motivation to learn.

‘A teacher can be effective, efficient, inclusive, and strategic. Still, unless they are professionally kind along with these things, the learners suffer.’ In today’s reader submission, Professor Nan Bahr argues kindness is an essential general trait for all people, but it is also applied expertise for the teacher and should be a professional standard.

Preschools use playful pedagogies to help prepare children for school, but learning through play continues to be of value as students move through the primary years and beyond.

The Indonesian Teacher Leaders Programme at Canggu Community School, in Bali, is focused on sharing best practice among staff and with teachers in the local community.

In the latest Teacher podcast, we catch up with Dylan Wiliam to talk about effective questioning in the classroom, including the benefits of a no hands up policy, a classroom display called ‘the parking lot’, and planning your lesson around hinge questions.

In today’s reader submission, teacher educators Dr Dawn Castagno-Dysart and Dr Bryan Matera consider the importance of learner persistence and the role of both teacher and student in the ‘productive struggle’.

Dr David Armstrong from Flinders University is our guest in today’s Behaviour Management podcast. We explore how certain behaviour management models are simply ineffective, particularly for students with learning or mental health difficulties, and discuss his research in this area.

Teachers in any classroom can use samples of work in addition to assessment rubrics to create opportunities for students to evaluate, improve and take ownership of their own learning, explains educator Elizabeth King in our latest reader submission.

Following a two-year study, researchers have built a profile of the educational support needs of students on the autism spectrum.

‘I don’t know, but we can find out’ is one of the most powerful things you can say to students, says one educator. See why play-based learning works in her classroom.