5 instructional strategies w table 1
- 1. When it comes to the topic of education, learning strategies play a very important role in a student’s educational career. Learning strategies do a lot for students, and a positive aspect is that they can aid in student engagement. A type of strategy that I will use to facilitate this type of engagement is known as collaborative learning. This type of learning takes place when students work together in order to share their ideas. According to Nicolas Pino- James “collaborative learning is another powerful facilitator of engagement in learning activities. When students work effectively with others, their engagement may be amplified as a result.” In a special education classroom this will allow my students to build a sense of trust and community with their peers. This will create a safe zone for them, and thus allow them to want to be engaged in their own learning. Some types of strategies allow teachers to see their student’s learning progress. In order to do so, teachers have to define curricular objectives each week. At the end of the week a teacher should assess these strategies with a test, assignment or project. Based on these assessments an educator decides to reteach the material for the coming weeks. The strategies are used to assess student learning, and therefore also assessing if they work as well. Mariko Nobori calls this type of assessment Reteach and Enrich. She further mentions that “it is highly replicable; every school in the Vail School District has implemented the program, and it continues to lead to improved student performance.” This type of assessment will be implemented in my classroom to see if my students and learning. It will also give me insight to whether or not my students are responding to my teaching styles. In my opinion the simplest way to let students know that they have learned the material is to always give them feedback. I believe that positive feedback is the best type in order to not discourage the student. Assessments are important in a classroom setting, but as educators we
- 2. should know that the feedback we give to the students is as important as the test itself. Saga Briggs mentions that “few of us take the time to address weaknesses and misunderstandings after the tests have been graded, and by that time it’s too late for students to be interested.” This is why the feedback is so important. We cannot just give test on a constant basis, but never let students know if they are learning or progressing in the courses. Table 1: Learning Strategies Strategy Description Teacher Learner Modeling Behaviors Modeling behaviors is a specific direct instruction strategy that allows students see the steps of exactly what it is they need to do. This strategy type is teacher directed, and is very effective. The educator models a certain behavior, and the students replicate what they say. The teacher will demonstrate how to sit criss-cross, and the students will be expected to perform the same action they observed. The student will see what their teacher is doing, and try to replicate the same action. They will be expected to complete this performance several times for muscle memory. Task Analysis This is specific direct instruction of a task that has been broken down into steps, that allows a student to work on something one step at a time rather than performing it all at once. The educator would break a task such as additions into steps that are small enough for the whole class to follow. It would be seen as “first you do this, and then you do this.” Students will watch as the teacher breaks the problem down into steps. When given the opportunity to practice the students will break the additions into small steps and solve the problem.
- 3. Verbal Prompting An auditory cue that can be used in a classroom to increase the likelihood that a student will give a correct answer. This prompt is usually given before the student gives an answer, in order to minimize the practice of mistakes. A teacher asks a question and allows the students to come up with an answer. If the student/students’ seem to get stuck, the educator will give a verbal prompt and wait for the student to respond. The role of the student is to try to come up with the correct answer. If they get stuck they will make accurate guesses with the aid they are given from their teacher. Reciprocal Teaching This is a student-led discussion strategy where students in small groups are assigned roles related to comprehension strategies. The students take turns in assuming the teacher role as they discuss their strategies. Before reciprocal teaching takes place the teacher determines what text a group will analyze and what roles the students will be incharge of leading. After reading the text, students will take turns leading the conversation based on their assigned roles. After the first roles are completed, they will analyze a different text and switch roles with their peers. Visual Behavior Poster This is a visual poster that is displayed in a classroom to provide support and reminders of expected or desired behaviors. This could include classroom rules, or certain routines. The teacher must first model these behaviors to the students, break them down into parts, and then create a visual display that groups them all together. When the student is confused about a certain expectation he/she can go to the poster and see exactly what it is that they need to be doing. References
- 4. Briggs, S. (2017, March 24). 21 Ways to Check for Student Understanding. Retrieved from https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/21-ways-to-check-for-student- understanding/ Nobori, M. (2011, August 29). 5 Strategies to Ensure Student Learning. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-budget-assessment-how-to Pino-James, P. N. (2014, December 8). Golden Rules for Engaging Students in Learning Activities. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/golden-rules-for-engaging- students-nicolas-pino-james Table 1 Goalbook. (n.d.). UDL-Aligned Strategies. Retrieved from https://goalbookapp.com/toolkit/strategies