Effective Teaching: Professional Knowledge, Skills, and Commitment

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts of effective teaching, including instructional approaches, classroom skills, assessment, and teacher commitment.

Effective teaching

A practice that is not achievable through a "one size fits all" prescription due to teaching complexity and individual variation among students, requiring mastery of various perspectives and strategies applied flexibly.

Constructivist approach

A learner-centered approach that emphasizes the importance of individuals actively constructing their knowledge and understanding with guidance from the teacher.

Direct instruction approach

A structured, teacher-centered approach characterized by teacher direction and control, high teacher expectations for students' progress, maximum time spent by students on academic tasks, and efforts to keep negative affect to a minimum.

Critical thinking skills

Thinking skills that involve thinking reflectively and productively and evaluating evidence, rather than passively learning or rotely memorizing material.

Instructional planning

The practice of spending considerable time organizing lessons to maximize students' learning so teachers do not simply "wing it" in the classroom.

Classroom management

The aspect of effective teaching centered on keeping the class as a whole working together and oriented toward classroom tasks.

Communication skills (in teaching)

Indispensable teaching skills that include speaking, listening, overcoming barriers to verbal communication, tuning in to nonverbal communication, and constructively resolving conflicts.

Differentiated instruction

An instructional method that involves recognizing individual variations in students' knowledge, readiness, interests, and other characteristics, and taking these differences into account in planning curriculum and instruction.

Ongoing observation and monitoring

Assessment conducted during instruction to determine if teaching is at a challenging level for students and to identify students who need individual attention.

Conceptual understanding of subject matter

A thoughtful, flexible grasp of subject material that goes beyond facts, terms, and general concepts, serving as an indispensable foundation for effective teaching.

Technology integration

The appropriate incorporation of computers into classroom learning to support student learning, while recognizing that technology alone does not necessarily improve learning ability.

Commitment and motivation

Qualities that help effective teachers navigate the tough moments of teaching, maintain confidence in their own self-efficacy, resist negative emotions, and bring enthusiasm and a positive attitude to the classroom.