Transcript Informed teaching and inspired teaching:

Informed teaching and
inspired teaching:
Is there a place for both in
general education instruction?
Presented by:
Gary Greene, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Special Education
California State University, Long Beach
[email protected]
Special Needs Consultant,
U.S. State Department, Division of Overseas Schools
Definition of “informed”
Based on possession of information;
educated; knowledgeable; having or
prepared with information or
knowledge.
Definition of “inspired”
To affect, guide, or arouse by divine
influence; stimulation of the mind or
emotions to a high level of feeling or
activity; to be stimulated to influence,
move, or guide.
Critical guiding questions?
What information guides teaching?
What scientific evidence do we have
about teaching?
Is teaching a science (e.g., based on
empirically derived information)?
Critical guiding questions?
Is there an inspiration or art to teaching?
What do we know about inspirational and
artistic people?
Is inspiration and art innate or learned
behavior?
Can one teach in an inspirational and artful
manner?
What is the information/knowledge
base of teaching?
1. Curriculum
2. Instruction
3. Student characteristics and
motivation
4. Assessment/Measurement/Feedback
What do we know about curriculum?
1.
Varies from multiple subjects to single
subjects.
2.
Varies from basic to advanced skill
levels.
3.
Often tied to mandated standards.
4.
It is the “what” to teach (versus the
“how” to teach).
What do we know about instruction?
1.
Multiple methods exist for delivering
instruction (e.g., constructivist approach
versus direct instruction).
2.
Multiple variables must be taken into account
when designing and delivering instruction
(e.g., student characteristics, whole or small
group, lecture or discussion).
3.
Physical space, materials, technology, etc.
affect instruction.
What do we know about student
characteristics and motivation?
1. High degree of variability within
within the general population.
2. High degree of variability within
any given classroom.
3. All children can learn; we just have
to find the right way to motivate
and teach them!
What do we know about assessment and
measurement?
1.
Essential to the teaching/learning process (e.g.,
evidenced-based practices).
2.
Used to help plan, guide, evaluate, and refine
curriculum and instruction (e.g., data-based decision
making).
3.
Wide number of variables can be assessed and
measured in a classroom (e.g., Bloom’s Taxonomy,
active participation, understanding, motivation).
What do we know about inspired
teaching?
1.
It is difficult to operationalize and
measure, but “passion” is a common
word used to describe it.
2.
We know when we see it!
3.
Unknown whether it is innate or learned.
4.
A knowledge base does exist on the
elements of inspired teaching (e.g., Teach
Like a Champion, 2010).
Let’s look at the science of teaching
(a.k.a. Effective Instruction)
1. Based on research conducted in the
1980’s (e.g., Brophy & Good;
Goodlad; Hunter).
2. Specific teaching behaviors
associated with higher academic
achievement in students in general
education classrooms.
Direct/Effective Instruction
1. Highly structured, teacher directed lesson.
2. Warm but businesslike classroom
atmosphere.
3. High teacher expectations for all students.
4. High student time on task/active
participation or all learners
(ELT/ALT=1.00).
Direct Instruction
5 Step Lesson Plan:
Anticipatory Set (Purpose/Objective)
Instruction with frequent checks for
understanding/whole group responding
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Closure
Teach Like a Champion (Lemov, 2010):
The Essential Techniques
1.
Set high academic expectations.
2.
Planning that insures academic
achievement.
3.
Structuring and delivering your
lessons.
4.
Engaging your students in your lesson.
5.
Creating a strong classroom culture.
Teach Like a Champion (Lemov, 2010):
The Essential Techniques
6. Setting and maintaining high
behavioral expectations.
7. Building character and trust.
8. Improving your pacing.
9. Challenging students to think
critically.
Demonstration
of Direct/Effective Instruction
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to
present to you the cups and balls!”
Elements of inspired teaching
1.
Capturing and maintaining student
attention throughout the lesson.
2.
Teacher creativity and flexibility (e.g.,
number of different ways you can design
and present content so that all students
learn).
3.
Air of passion, expertise, confidence, and
authority.
4.
Fun factor.
Demonstration of Inspired Teaching
The 3 Branches of Government
Informed and Inspired teaching: How
do you accomplish both?
1.
Study, practice, master evidence-based effective
teaching.
2.
Implement effective teaching in an inspired way and to
the point of automaticity.
3.
Engage in ongoing evaluation of your teaching, using
feedback and data to hone and perfect your skill.
4.
Evaluate if students in your classroom are having fun
but also learning key content and standards.
5.
Maintain ongoing commitment to professional growth.
In closing:
How do I know if I’m an informed and
inspired teacher?
“One plus one and the son of a bitch is
two!”