WebQuest Techniques For Effective Teaching Introduction You have been appointed to the position of Director of Academic Improvement for the National Academy of Teachers Association The position involves assessing teaching skills of current teachers and determining the necessary training and modifications needed to improve instruction in the classroom There is concern that although most teachers are well versed in the material relevant to their content area many are unfamiliar with techniques that can be used to enhance learning Task Your assignment is to assess current teaching practices to determine what practices are being used in the classroom and which ones are effective This will involve surveying teachers about techniques that are in use and which techniques they feel help students learn the material It will also be beneficial to interview students and determine what approaches or activities used in the classroom help them to understand the information Once an assessment of the current situation has been conducted an action plan can be developed to guide teachers in the incorporation of teaching techniques to facilitate learning 1 What techniques are the teachers currently using in the classroom 2 What techniques do the teachers feel are effective for the students 3 What techniques do the students feel are effective 4 What techniques are available for teachers to use in the classroom 5 Are teachers familiar with and capable of using the techniques Process The school board in each division will be responsible for collecting information to determine current practices and possible modifications that need to be made The information will be gathered and compiled to determine overall deficiencies and specific needs to different areas Once the information is compiled improvement suggestions for each division will be developed The following procedure will be helpful for gathering information to determine what modifications should be implemented 1 Collect and analyze information on teaching techniques currently in use in the classroom This could involve interviews with teachers and survey of teacher practices 2 During the interviews ask teachers which techniques they feel are most effective for relating information to students This will involve examining general techniques as well as techniques specific to different topic areas 3 Interview and survey students to determine which techniques they feel help them to comprehend understand and retain information This will involve inquiring about which techniques students feel helped them to better understand the information being related 4 Develop a list of tips tricks and techniques that can be used to facilitate learning in the classroom 5 Determine whether teachers are familiar with the recommended techniques and ascertain if training or additional information is necessary Resources The following list of resources should be helpful in compiling information to help teachers understand how students process information An Introduction to Constructivism in ID http www coe uh edu insite elec pub html1995 197 htm Discusses the elements of Constructivist Theory and examines the nature of learning from the student s perspective This information will be useful in helping teachers modify their lesson plans so that student learning is enhanced Instructional Design and Learning Theory http www usask ca education coursework 802papers mergel brenda htm Discusses and clarifies Behaviorism Cognitivism and Constructivism This site also makes a distinction between the different learning theories This will help teachers to better understand how students learn Educational Technology The Re Emergence of Constructivism http isc temple edu it520 articles psy675work htm This site defines Constructivism and its role in education It also looks at Constructivism in ID and the field of Instructional Technology Instructional Design Models http carbon cudenver edu mryder itl data idmodels html Site provides links to numerous sites on ID ID Models and Educational Technology Examines three major learning theories that look at how people process information Issues in ID http www sdavjr davis k12 ut us brian research design htm This site covers different views of learning and the implications for designing instructional content About Learning Theories http www funderstanding com theories1 html This site examines how people learn based on contributions from Constructivism Behaviorism and Neuroscience How People Learn Brain Mind Experience School http bob nap edu readingroom books howpeople1 notice html This site takes a modern view of the principles of learning It also looks at the learning environment and the steps to making changes in the learning environment Behaviorist Constructivism http web macam ac il izak edd edu a 0775 html This site examines the similarities between 2 important learning theories Behaviorism and Constructivism The following resources can be used for compiling a list of teaching techniques that can be used to enhance learning in the classroom Making Modifications in the Classroom http www idonline org id indepth ing techniques mod checklists html This site contains a collection of checklists for making changes in the classroom It actually takes teacher through the process of classroom modification Effective Teaching Examples in History Math and Science http bob nap edu readingroom books howpeople1 ch7 html This site discusses how teachers can design effective learning environments It also looks at teaching techniques for various subjects Creative Ideas Tips Tricks http www teachingtechniques com This site contains a newsletter for teachers with tips and tricks that can be used in the classroom to enhance learning Advances in Research on Instruction http olam ed asu edu barak barak html This site discusses cognitive strategies and learning and presents effective techniques for use in the classroom Intercept Project http www ed gov pubs eptw eptw3 eptw31 html This site provides effective teaching techniques for at risk children It provides techniques for turning around the learning environment for students who are having academic problems Using Picture Books in Math Curriculum http www carolhurst com products picturing html This site presents strategies for teaching math in k 2nd grade It advocates the use of pictures for teaching basic math skills K 12 Teaching Materials http archives math utk edu k12 html This site contains a collection of
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