Are you a new teacher wondering what effective education looks like? These are the 9 most groundbreaking articles that all teachers should read, no matter how advanced in their teaching career.
Being a new teacher is extremely overwhelming. There is so much to think about! Are the students listening? Are they doing what they should be doing? Have I considered all students learning abilities? Are they even learning anything? Is this lesson plan even achieving what I hoped it would? As a third-year teacher, I still remember clearly and understand (and sometimes still experience!) the overwhelm a new teacher can feel. This is why I’m sharing the articles that have been life-changing towards understanding how to do this oh-so-challenging but rewarding profession of being a teacher.
These articles provide the best tips and tricks whether you’re a new teacher or a teacher looking for some new and refreshing strategies. More importantly, with so much to think about when teaching a class, these articles will actually isolate the things that really matter. Even better, these strategies are evidence-based meaning they are trialed, tested, and proven – the most reliable advice you can get!
After reading these articles, you are going to feel so much calmer and more effective when approaching the classroom. Avoid the overwhelm and educate yourself right now, for yourself but also for your students!!
This post is all about effective education – what it looks like and how to achieve it.
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What is Effective Education? – 9 articles all new teachers should read
Firstly, what is effective education?
So what are we actually aiming for here? Well according to dictionary.com, the definition of effective is to adequately accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result. In the area of teaching, this could mean an array of things, from student-centered goals i.e. achieving the learning intentions for the lesson, or teacher-centered i.e. finishing your lesson plan or implementing behaviour strategies that actually worked. I could go all philosophical on you, and talk about the system of education and whether it effectively educates students or supports teachers etc., but let’s be honest, new teachers don’t have time for that. Let’s leave that for the researchers or experienced, and zoom in a little bit. In other words, if you’re new to the teaching profession, choose 1-2 things you want to focus on. Decide on an “intended result” you would like to achieve and work towards it. For example, focus on behaviour management to start off or maybe you really want to make better assessments. My point is, there are so many challenges within the classroom with so much to think about! Kids are often unpredictable, at the end of the day, you can only do your best with the knowledge that you have. Take the small wins which means setting out small goals, or focusing on specific aspects of your teaching to improve. Okay now onto these articles.
1. Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction
The full title of this article by Barak Rosenshine is “Principles of Instruction: Research-Based Strategies That All Teachers Should Know”. I love this article because not only is it really easy to read but it intertwines evidence-based research in a digestible manner with practical tips for teachers (read it here). For new teachers, it highlights some of the most important (as proven by evidence!!) things you should focus on to implement into your lesson plans and within your teaching practice. For experienced teachers, it is a fantastic refresher on what the most impactful strategies are for our students. Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction informs us of the most effective way to teach our students and for that reason, is a must-read. If you are keen to read a straightforward summary and some extra practical tips, I suggest reading this blog.
2. 20 Principles from Psychology for Teaching and Learning
This article is written by the American Psychological Association, Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education. Safe to say, this article is full of wisdom in terms of analysing how social and behavioural factors impact students’ learning. With research derived from the psychological side of learning, the article suggests the top 20 key principles that have the greatest implication. Once again, it’s clear, evidence-based and identifies the impact teachers can have on students perception of their learning environment.
3. Cognitive Load theory in practice CESE
If you haven’t heard of Sweller’s cognitive load theory, you are in for a treat! Cognitive load theory really does change the game in terms of how we present material to our students. In fact, educationalist Dylan William has stated it to be the most important thing a teacher is to know. This article gives a clear and succinct definition of cognitive load theory, detailing what it is and how it affects our students in the classroom. The article then presents 7 evidence-based strategies to maximise student learning with the aim of reducing students’ cognitive load in alignment with Sweller’s research. Even better, each strategy has an example of what it would look like in practice, providing you concrete evidence to assist your own implementation for your own setting!
4. Tom Bennet – Running the Room: The Teacher’s Guide to Behaviour Management
For new teachers, it’s pretty common to have some nerves when it comes to managing a group of students’ behaviour. This is where Tom Bennet’s book Running the Room is a fantastic guide for behaviour management strategies. While you do need to purchase the book to gain access, I personally sought so many applicable behaviour strategies that have really improved my own ability to manage a classroom. If you’re not quite ready to invest, I found this article to highlight some of the key takeaways from Bennet’s book. Although if you are someone that does have challenges with behaviour management strategies, I truly think this is the best book for you.
5. Strengthening the Student ToolBox by John Dunlosky
While the previous articles are centered more on teaching strategies, Dunlosky focuses on how to equip students with the most effective learning strategies. It goes over the best way to learn and revise as well as the least effective ways. In other words, it’s a way of educating how students can use their time more wisely with these evidence-based techniques, many that I wish my teachers at school had taught me! It talks about distributed practice, interleaved practice, practice testing, and more. Highlighting 10 key strategies, it’s a quick and easy read and well worth your time. I highly recommend it.
6. High-Impact Teaching Strategies by VIC Dep. Ed.
The name speaks for itself, right? ‘High-Impact’ in other words, strategies that give you the best “bang for your buck”. Evidence-based, strategies are clearly articulated and give detailed descriptions of how the teaching strategy is and is not demonstrated by the teacher, and even more importantly by the students. While it is written by the Education Department of Victoria State Government, overseas teachers should not be put off by its Australian slant, as such evidenced-based strategies are applicable and effective for any classroom around the world. And even better…. it’s free to read! Read the article here.
7. The Science of Learning
You know when Science is in the title, you’re likely for some data-driven research and I’m happy to say this article does not disappoint. This is a great summary of various cognitive science about how students learn, identifying six key questions about learning that are relevant to most (or arguably all) educators.
8. Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins
This is a framework that specifically assists unit planning for teachers. In particular, chapter 1 provides a three-stage backward design process specifically for curriculum planning. If you’re a new teacher and not sure where to start when planning your lessons, this is a great tool to get you going. This particular book even comes with a template #win. While this book was published in 1998, its systematic approach is still pertinent to teaching planning and remains a classic in the field.
9. Explicit Direct Instruction – John R. Hollingsworth & Silvia E. Ybarra
This book covers a range of topics from checking for understanding, to lesson objectives, revision methods, guided practice, and more. Hollingsworth and Ybarra are clear cut, and at times entertaining! It is a book, but again worth the investment if you’re interested in a read. There are some great words of advice and golden nuggets that have stayed with me throughout my teaching. One of these ideas is that “students are never allowed to not know the answer. This means the teacher provides support until the student can successfully answer, and can’t just say “I don’t know” (page 61., 2017). It then gives plenty of strategies on how to best support this type of student. This is just one of many helpful chapters that I am confident to bet, you will find something to take away from!
If you’re keen to read some more but free Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies articles. I would highly recommend this blog. I personally have learned a lot from it, and has a wealth of knowledge freely at disposable.
Hurray!! Some wonderful holiday teaching reading ahead. Good on you. As teachers, we know the value and importance of education, so read the above articles and enrich your teaching craft and knowledge! I hope you find plenty of evidence-based strategies to increase the likelihood of some effective education taking place within your classroom.
This post was all about effective education for teachers.