EDFL 506ME ~ Research in Effective Teaching
Course Dates:
Monday January 14 through Friday, May 3, 2013 Professor and co-learner: Eloise Hockett, EdD |
Course description:
This 3 semester-hour course will focus on analysis and investigation of current research in effective teaching methods as related to specific subject and focus areas in k-12 education. Specific methods relating to subject matter, learning styles and effective teaching practices and strategies will be studied and applied. Students will have an opportunity to thoroughly investigate best practice philosophies and methodologies in k-12 education. Participants will benefit from interacting with each other concerning issues of best practices in teaching, implementation of best practices, and examining solutions to educational issues in k-12 education. |
What I think Effective Teaching is . . .

I think that Effective Teaching is a compilation of variety components in the teacher. Pedagogical training is one component that is important so that teachers are introduced to different instructional methods. Teachers learn different ways to present the materials to students in different situations. Some people do tend to have natural skills at teaching where others have to work at it. Why I say this is that I feel that there are some people that even when they are young tend to be able to teach people how to complete a task, give a direction that others can understand and learn from. My son always says that he would not be a good teacher because he does not know how to explain things so that others will understand. I know people who love to teach but have to work hard be effective; these people have had to learn to teach. They have had to learn how to explain or present ideas so that those who are the learners can understand. I do think that effective teaching can be learned and I think that a lot of the learning comes through observation of teachers who are effective in their field.
Curriculum does have an impact on effective teaching. We have had some issues in our district with lack of curriculum prior to recent reviews of some areas. The limited curriculum made consistency in our district non-existent. We now have a curriculum that aligns the students across the district.
Some key components in meeting the needs of students are being there for the student. If a teacher is always gone it is difficult for consistency in the classroom. Being available for students, parents, and other staff in the building. Flexibility is important as things change almost daily in a school. We can write the best of lesson plans but when the students walk into the room there are days that you need to deal with issues that are brought to school with the children, a schedule change takes place, assemblies and fire drills. Knowing your curriculum and willing to ask for help when you need the outside help.
Hard work and dedication play a large role in that of an effective teacher. It is more than just September through May, there are the evenings grading papers, writing tests, and taking classes. Spending time in the summer preparing for the next school year.
An effective teacher is one who takes what he or she has and uses it to instruct their students no matter what curriculum they have, they take time for their students, they enjoy their job.
January 11, 2013
Curriculum does have an impact on effective teaching. We have had some issues in our district with lack of curriculum prior to recent reviews of some areas. The limited curriculum made consistency in our district non-existent. We now have a curriculum that aligns the students across the district.
Some key components in meeting the needs of students are being there for the student. If a teacher is always gone it is difficult for consistency in the classroom. Being available for students, parents, and other staff in the building. Flexibility is important as things change almost daily in a school. We can write the best of lesson plans but when the students walk into the room there are days that you need to deal with issues that are brought to school with the children, a schedule change takes place, assemblies and fire drills. Knowing your curriculum and willing to ask for help when you need the outside help.
Hard work and dedication play a large role in that of an effective teacher. It is more than just September through May, there are the evenings grading papers, writing tests, and taking classes. Spending time in the summer preparing for the next school year.
An effective teacher is one who takes what he or she has and uses it to instruct their students no matter what curriculum they have, they take time for their students, they enjoy their job.
January 11, 2013