A Post Worth Noting #1
From time to time you come across a post that is worth sharing and collecting for future reference.
Today I was catching up on my Netvibes account (as you do) and Durff’s post “Who Do You Want To Be?” caught my attention.
According to research there are three types of teachers: expert, experienced, and novice. They each focus on different aspects of classroom culture.
Expert teachers are more effective scanners of classroom behaviour, make greater reference to the language of instruction and learning of students, whereas experienced teachers concentrate more on what the teacher is saying and doing to the class and novices concentrate more on student behaviour. (Hattie, 2003).
Reference: Hattie, J. (2003). Teachers make a difference: What is the research evidence? Interpretations, 36(2), 27-38, Retrieved November 23, 2007 from http://www.acer.edu.au/documents/RC2003_Hattie_TeachersMakeADifference.pdf
Hmmm now which one am I?
Thanks Durff (and Hattie) for challenging us with your work.
Picture Author: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Blue_flag.svg
on July 8th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
So which one are you? Which one do you want to be?
on July 8th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Hi Durff
I consider myself a Teacher whose focus is on the learner and what they are actually gaining from the lesson or struggling with.
I do however find myself slipping back from time to time into being caught up with the behaviour management side of things. It can be a real battle.
The question I believe an “expert” Teacher would ask is “What are my students gaining from this lesson/experience?”
on July 9th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
you say: “The question I believe an “expert” Teacher would ask is “What are my students gaining from this lesson/experience?””
I believe the expert teacher would be asking a little more than that - more along the lines of “what and how are my students learning from this experience, and how have the deliberate acts of teaching (ie pedagogical practice) contributed to this?
on July 9th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Hi Derek
Thanks for your valuable comments.
Yes my question was only a starting place. The “what” and “how” questions you mentioned are excellent. And there are more questions like: What is the next step for the student? What tools will best meet their needs? Etc.
I guess the “expert” teacher will also make time to reflect and then put this reflection into practice. They will always be learning, adjusting and growing.
Thanks again.