Instructional Approaches
Page historylast edited by Gayla S. Keesee 9 years ago
"Effective teaching is not a set of generic practices, but instead is a set of context-driven decisions
about teaching. Effective teachers do not use the same set of practices for every lesson . . . Instead,
what effective teachers do is constantly reflect about their work, observe whether students are
learning or not, and, then adjust their practice accordingly (Glickman, 1991, p. 6).
Instructional Models
Models represent the broadest level of instructional practices and present a philosophical orientation to
instruction. Models are used to select and to structure teaching strategies, methods, skills, and student activities
for a particular instructional emphasis. Instructional models are related to theories about how we learn. Some
examples include: behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and connectivism. Various learning theories fit
within these general categories, i.e., adult learning theory, transformative learning, social interaction, motivation
theory, etc.
Instructional Strategies
Within each model several strategies can be used. Strategies determine the approach a teacher may
take to achieve learning objectives. Strategies can be classed as direct, indirect, interactive,
experiential, or independent.
The direct instruction strategy is highly teacher-directed and is among the most
commonly used. This strategy includes methods such as lecture, didactic
questioning, explicit teaching, practice and drill, and demonstrations. The direct
instruction strategy is effective for providing information or developing step-by-step
skills. This strategy also works well for introducing other teaching methods, or actively
involving students in knowledge construction.
Inquiry, induction, problem solving, decision making, and discovery are terms that are
sometimes used interchangeably to describe indirect instruction. In contrast to the
direct instruction strategy, indirect instruction is mainly student-centred, although the
two strategies can complement each other. Examples of indirect instruction methods
include reflective discussion, concept formation, concept attainment, cloze procedure,
problem solving, and guided inquiry.
Interactive instruction relies heavily on discussion and sharing among participants.
The interactive instruction strategy allows for a range of groupings and interactive
methods. These may include total class discussions, small group discussions or
projects, or student pairs or triads working on assignments together.
Experiential learning is inductive, learner centred, and activity oriented. The emphasis
in experiential learning is on the process of learning and not on the product.
Personalized reflection about an experience and the formulation of plans to apply
learnings to other contexts are critical factors in effective experiential learning.
Experiential learning greatly increases understanding and retention in comparison to
methods that solely involve listening, reading, or even viewing (McNeil & Wiles,
1990). Students are usually more motivated when they actively participate and teach
one another by describing what they are doing.
Independent study refers to the range of instructional methods which are
purposefully provided to foster the development of individual student initiative, self-
reliance, and self-improvement. Independent study can also include learning in
partnership with another individual or as part of a small group. It is important that the
instructor make sure that learners have the necessary skills in order to accomplish
the task. Independent study is very flexible. It can be used as the major instructional
strategy with the whole class, in combination with other strategies, or it can be used
with one or more individuals while another strategy is used with the rest of the class.
Instructional Methods
Methods are used by teachers to create learning environments and to specify the nature of the activity in which
the teacher and learner will be involved during the lesson. While particular methods are often associated with
certain strategies, some methods may be found within a variety of strategies.
Learner Involvement
Capable instructors are aware of the principle of active learner participation. "Given the choice
between two techniques, choose the one involving the learners in the most active participation"
(Knowles, 1980, p. 240). Below is a sample of techniques categorized according to participant
involvement (Cafarrella, 2002)
Levels of Learner Involvement
Low Involvement Medium Involvement High Involvement
Lecture Group discussion Role play
Panel discussion Behavior modeling Debates
Levels of Learner Involvement
Demonstration Observation Case studies
Computer-based drills Reflective practice--blogs, Simulations
journals
Computer-based tutorials WebQuests
Asynchronous online forums
Socratic dialogue Internet searches
E-mail and listservs
Tutorials Concept mapping
Audio/Video conferencing
Trial and error
3D Interactive Learning Activities Storytelling
Jigsaw
Educational gaming
Second Life—Sims
Real-time relay chats
In-basket exercises
Structured experiences
Problem-based learning
Project-Based Learning
Collaborative Learning
Inquiry Learning
Validity
Definition: Validity means making sure a test measures what it's supposed to measure.
Simple Example: If you're testing math skills, the questions should be about math, not about history.
2. Reliability
Definition: Reliability means that a test gives consistent results every time it's taken under the same
conditions.
Simple Example: If you take a spelling test today and get a certain score, and then take the same test
next week, your score should be about the same.
3. Practicality
Definition: Practicality means the test is easy to give, score, and use within the available resources and
time.
Simple Example: If a school wants to check students' fitness, a practical test could be a simple run
around the playground instead of using expensive gym equipment.
4. Authenticity
Definition: Authenticity means the test feels real and relevant to real-life situations.
Simple Example: For a cooking class, an authentic test would be to have students actually cook a meal,
rather than just answering questions about cooking.
5. Washback
Definition: Washback means the effect a test has on teaching and learning. Positive washback
improves learning, while negative washback can harm it.
Simple Example: If a science test asks students to explain experiments, teachers will likely spend more
time on hands-on experiments in class, which is good. If the test only asks for definitions, teachers
might just make students memorize terms, which is less useful.
Summary of Simple Examples:
Validity: Math test should have math questions.
Reliability: Spelling test scores should be similar if taken multiple times.
Practicality: Fitness test should be easy to do with what the school has.
Authenticity: Cooking test should involve actual cooking.
Washback: Good tests make teachers teach useful things, not just facts to memorize.
By following these principles, tests can be fair, useful, and relevant to students' real-world experiences.
Developing assessment embeded lesson plan
What does it mean
ChatGPT
Developing an assessment-embedded lesson plan means creating a teaching plan that
integrates assessment activities directly into the learning process. This approach ensures that
assessment is not a separate activity but a continuous and integral part of instruction. Here’s
what this involves:
Key Components
Learning Objectives: Clearly defined goals for what students should know and be able to do
by the end of the lesson.
Instructional Activities: Teaching strategies and activities designed to help students meet the
learning objectives.
Assessment Activities: Methods to evaluate student understanding and progress, integrated
within the instructional activities. These can include formative assessments (e.g., quizzes,
discussions, observations) and summative assessments (e.g., final projects, tests).
Feedback Mechanisms: Opportunities for providing students with timely feedback based on
assessment results to guide their learning process.
Adjustments and Differentiation: Plans for modifying instruction based on assessment data to
meet the diverse needs of students.
Steps to Develop an Assessment-Embedded Lesson Plan
Identify Learning Objectives:
Determine the skills and knowledge students should acquire.
Ensure objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Design Instructional Activities:
Plan engaging and varied activities to help students achieve the objectives.
Incorporate multimedia, group work, hands-on activities, etc.
Integrate Assessment Activities:
Plan for formative assessments during the lesson (e.g., exit tickets, quick polls, peer reviews).
Embed assessments within activities (e.g., questions during a group discussion, observation
checklists during a lab activity).
Provide Feedback:
Design ways to give immediate and constructive feedback based on assessment results.
Use feedback to help students reflect on their learning and identify areas for improvement.
Adjust Instruction as Needed:
Use assessment data to make real-time adjustments to instruction.
Plan for differentiation to support all learners, including those who need more challenge or
additional help.
Example of an Assessment-Embedded Lesson Plan
Subject: Science
Topic: Photosynthesis
Learning Objectives:
Understand the process of photosynthesis.
Identify the reactants and products of photosynthesis.
Explain the importance of photosynthesis in the ecosystem.
Instructional Activities:
Introduction (10 minutes): Brief lecture on photosynthesis.
Group Activity (20 minutes): Students work in groups to create diagrams of the
photosynthesis process.
Experiment (30 minutes): Conduct a simple experiment to observe photosynthesis in action
(e.g., using Elodea plants in water).
Assessment Activities:
Formative Assessment (Throughout):
Questioning: Ask questions during the lecture to check for understanding.
Observation: Observe group work and note student participation and understanding.
Exit Ticket: Students write down one thing they learned and one question they still have.
Summative Assessment:
Quiz: Short quiz at the end of the lesson on the key concepts of photosynthesis.
Lab Report: Students submit a lab report detailing their experiment and findings.
Feedback Mechanisms:
Provide immediate feedback during group activities.
Discuss exit tickets in the next class to address common questions and misconceptions.
Return quizzes and lab reports with detailed comments and suggestions for improvement.
Adjustments and Differentiation:
Provide additional resources or modified tasks for students who need extra help.
Offer extension activities for students who grasp the concepts quickly.
By embedding assessment into the lesson plan, teachers can continuously monitor student
progress and adjust instruction to better meet the needs of all learners, fostering a more
effective and responsive teaching environment.
What does embedded meaning here
ChatGPT
In the context of an assessment-embedded lesson plan, "embedded" means that the
assessment activities are seamlessly integrated into the instructional process. Rather than
being separate, standalone tasks, these assessments are interwoven with the teaching and
learning activities. This allows for ongoing evaluation of student understanding and progress
as part of the regular flow of the lesson. Here are a few key points to illustrate this concept:
Continuous Assessment: Assessments occur throughout the lesson, not just at the end. This
can include questioning during instruction, observing student interactions during activities,
and checking for understanding through quick formative assessments.
Integrated Feedback: Feedback is provided in real-time or soon after the activity, helping
students understand their performance and how to improve while they are still engaged with
the material.
Informing Instruction: The information gathered from embedded assessments is used to make
immediate adjustments to teaching strategies and activities to better support student learning.
Authentic Context: Assessments are part of authentic learning experiences, making them
more relevant and meaningful to students. For example, assessing students' understanding
through a hands-on project rather than a traditional test.
By embedding assessments into the lesson, teachers can create a more dynamic and
responsive educational environment that supports continuous learning and improvement.
