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Teachers are important and make a
difference. The quality of teaching is a crucial factor in
promoting effective learning in schools. Effective teaching requires
individuals who are academically able and who care about the well-being of
children and youth.
Points Arising
from Research
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The
most powerful single factor that enhances achievement is feedback –
positive, encouraging, clearly targeted.
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The
setting of appropriate, specific and challenging goals is critical.
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Effective
teachers make purpose and content explicit, plan carefully, use systematic
assessment and feedback, make connections, encourage children to think
about thinking and model what they want the children to do.
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Key
Elements of What makes a good teacher?
Research detailing the direct effect of good
teaching on pupils is difficult to assess, as relating ‘good teaching’
directly to higher attainment in pupils is almost impossible to
verify. However there are many attempts to analyse what
constitutes a ‘good teacher’. The following points are generally
agreed to have an impact on pupils:
Subject Matter Knowledge
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Highly knowledgeable and up to date in their
subject area, but do not pretend to know it all, willing to learn from
pupils
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Teachers’ repertoires of best practices
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Provide
learner with clear tasks, goals, and requirement and inform them of
progress made. A key skill in teaching is the ability to explain and
describe things clearly
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Encourage
pupils to think, to make connections, to practise and reinforce, to learn
from other learners and to feel that if they make mistakes they will not be
ridiculed or treated negatively
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Promote
pupil participation through problem solving, questioning, discussion and
“buzz group” activities
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Treat
all pupil questions seriously and do not intimidate or ridicule
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Use
regular informal assessment strategies including a range of types of
questioning, observation and listening in
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Understand
that, since individuals learn at different rates and in different ways, we
need to provide a variety of activities, tasks and pace of work, and
monitor and evaluate children’s progress
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Use
breaks and activities to engage pupils’ thinking and interest
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Turn
to reading and research for fresh insights and relating these to their
classroom and school
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Work
in a shared and collegial way with other staff
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Personal qualities
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Demonstrate
an empathy with pupil thinking, anticipate misconceptions and allow pupils
to develop understanding in a variety of ways
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Observe
pupils in class for signs that they are failing to keep up, are bored, or
are not understanding
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Show
flexibility in responding to pupil needs
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Genuinely
want pupils to learn, understand and develop critical thinking abilities,
as well as master content or learn skills
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Encourage
pupils to take an active role in working through difficulties and take time
to work through concepts in detail with those who have difficulties
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Teachers
who show enthusiasm for subject, professional area and teaching role
motivate pupils as they look forward to coming to that class
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Highly
effective teachers are viewed as “easy going”, “relaxed”, with an “open”
manner. This brings a relaxed atmosphere to the classroom
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Communicate
effectively
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Are
resourceful and positive and adopt a problem-solving approach
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Are
creative and imaginative and have an open attitude to change
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Are
systematic and well organised, focused, determined and hardworking
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Demonstrate
empathy and fairness, are caring and approachable
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Teacher Competences
The Standard for Chartered Teachers states that
the quality of the educational service depends pre-eminently on the quality
of our teachers. The standard then list the following 4
components:
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Professional
values and personal commitments
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Professional
knowledge and understanding
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Professional
and personal attributes
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Professional
action
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It also lists 4 central professional values and
personal commitments which effective teachers should develop:
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effectiveness
in promoting learning in the classroom
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critical
self-evaluation and development
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collaboration
and influence
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educational
and social values
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Reflection
and Discussion
Do you
reflect on your practice in the classroom?
As a result of this reflection do you alter your approach within your
classroom?
How much do you share good practice with colleagues?
Some Activities Relating To the Issue
of What makes a good teacher?
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Key element
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Objective
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Action
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Some examples and suggestions
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Subject Matter Knowledge
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Highly knowledgeable and up to date in their
subject area, but do not pretend to know it all, willing to learn from
pupils
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Pupils may be - very aware of recent
developments – could you involve them in producing/researching the latest
information for topics?
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Teachers’ repertoire of best practice
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Use regular informal assessment strategies
including a range of types of questioning, observation and listening in.
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Look closely at formative assessment in your
class. (See Toolkit section on Formative Assessment)
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Personal qualities
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Observe pupils in class for signs that they
are failing to keep up, are bored, or not understanding. Show
flexibility in responding to pupil needs.
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Use Traffic Lights. Green means confident
about understanding, orange means unsure and red means not understanding.
Pupils are challenged with support to grade themselves
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Teacher competencies
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Effective teachers should develop
collaboration and influence
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Prepare an action plan drawing on your
strengths and tackle any of the weaknesses that you have identified.
Discuss this with a trusted colleague to get feedback on your analysis.
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Ethos within the classroom
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There is a high level of respect, interest in
and acceptance of the pupils
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Focus on reward and encouragement not on
sanction and punishment.
Consultation with pupils in relation to own
goals and personal aspirations.
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Selected
References
Further Reading
Aspy D. & Roebuck F. (1977) Kids Don’t
Learn from People They Don’t Like, Ameherst, Mass: Human Resource
Development Press
Hayes, L.(2000) Am I Teaching Well ? Learning Matters
Smith, A. & Call, N.(1999) The ALPS Approach Accelerated Learning in the Primary
School, Network Educational Press
Smith, A. & Call, N. (2003) The ALPS Approach Resource Book, Network
Educational Press
Smith, A. (2001) Accelerated Learning in
Practice, Network Educational Press
Websites
www.learntolearn.ac.uk
www.aaia.org.uk/assessment/assessment.asp
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