Unit 2: Effective Practices - Instructional Strategies

Return to: Andrea Stowell's Mini-Course | Unit 1 | Unit 3

Lesson 1- What Is the Purpose of Instructional Strategies?

Objective: I can explain the purpose and importance of instructional strategies.

Introduction
Instructional strategies are one essential element of creating a culturally responsive classroom. The purpose of instructional strategies is to "make it easier to implement a variety of teaching methods and techniques” (Teaching Strategies, n.d.) within a classroom. In addition, there are an endless amount of instructional strategies for teachers to use. It is critical for teachers to use a variety of strategies because every learning situation is different, depending on the content being taught and the students receiving the information. As Gregory (n.d.) states “the key [to teach information] is to use the right strategy at the right time” (pg. 113). In lesson two we will discuss specific types of instructional strategies you can implement in your classroom. Most of these research-based strategies involve supporting students to work independently and take control of their learning experience. This creates a sense of responsibility and can enhance the process of learning.

Development
When you click on the links and want to go back to, click the back button because the link doesn't create a new tab!

• Please watch Research-Based Instructional Strategies
  
• Please read Building an Arsenal of Effective Instructional Strategies focusing on Ways Effective Instructional Strategies Can Boost Student Learning (paragraph 2).
  
• Please read Instructional Strategies (page 1).

Closing
First, write 150-200 words explaining the purpose of instructional strategies and why they are important to use in today's classrooms. Then, to get ready for the next lesson, write 100-150 words about your experience using any instructional strategy in your classroom. Try to find a scholarly article or video that explains or demonstrates the instructional strategy you are going to write about. If you are a new teacher and have yet to implement instructional strategies in your classroom, find a scholarly article or video of the one you would like to try in the future and explain why you think it might be useful to use in your classroom. Post your entry to the Google Slides I provided and respond to two of your classmates (I would provide one for each real-life professional development taught).

Lesson 2- Using Instructional Strategies to Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom

Objective: I can apply effective instructional strategies to create a culturally responsive learning environment.

Introduction
In the previous lesson, you read why instructional strategies are essential to use in today’s classrooms. Next, I will introduce a variety of strategies that you can use to create a culturally responsive learning environment. I also want you to take a look at three additional entries on top of the two you responded to from the previous lesson to help you get some ideas flowing.

Development
When you click on the links and want to go back to, click the back button because the link doesn't create a new tab!

• Please skim through Instructional Strategies for Student Success (2-38) and Instructional Strategies (2-45) to find instructional strategies that you are unfamiliar with.
  
• Please read Turning It Around: Strategies for Working with Culturally Diverse Students (10-19) and Culturally Responsive Teaching (parts four and five) to learn about instructional strategies that are specifically directed toward creating a culturally responsive classroom.
  

Closing
Go to slide ten of Turning it Around. Choose one of the four instructional strategies and describe how you could use it to create a culturally responsive learning environment. You can either create a realistic situation or share a personal story that has happened in the past or is currently happening now. In your description include the class size, number of ESL students, number of students from different cultural backgrounds, and students with an IEP. Discuss how you either applied or could apply the instructional strategy to meet the needs of your students and/or address their cultural differences. Also include possible outcomes, both ideal and unpredictable, that can arise by applying this strategy. Your response can be a written statement (150-250 words) or verbally recorded 2-5 minutes). Post your statement or link to a voice recording on the Google Slides I have provided (I would provide one for each real-life professional development taught).

References

Gregory, G. H., & Chapman, C. (n.d.). Instructional Strategies for Student Success. In DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES (pp. 113-151). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. Retrieved November, 2018.

Teaching Strategies. (n.d.). Retrieved November, 2018, from http://www.montana.edu/facultyexcellence/Papers/teachingstrategies.html<