Best Practices Research

Google Search of "Best Practices in Education yielded the following:
 
Source Information
NEA. (n.d.). Research Spotlight on Teaching and Learning. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/tools/17246.htm

"To reinforce what educators already know about teaching and learning, we have identified some attributes that describe what teaching and learning means for accomplished teachers. Accomplished teachers must:
 

Be prepared to teach in culturally diverse classrooms

Have an understanding of how people learn

Have a knowledge of subject matter

Know how to present content for different learning styles

Use various ways to assess students

Understand the power of mobilizing organizational change

Possess the skills to ensure students that they are in a "safe environment"

Understand how to utilize data

Have high expectations for all students

Be committed to their students and demonstrate this through their behavior

Have the ability to conduct "situational" audits and respond appropriately, without overreacting, becoming tense or stressed, while ensuring that students understand they are accountable for their actions" (NEA n.d.).  

Discussion
From my research I learned that educators need to accommodate all types of learners, learning needs and cultures.  Educators need to be knowledgeable and flexible.  Students should be assessed in a variety of ways. The Classroom should be a safe environment where everyone feels included and able to be themselves.

  

Google Search of "Best Practices in Instruction yielded the following: 

 

Source Information

Varlas, L. (2002). Getting Acquainted with the Essential Nine. Retrieved from http://www.middleweb.com/MWLresources/marzchat1.html. 

"1. Identifying similarities and differences
2. Summarizing and note taking
3. Reinforcing effort and providing recognition
4. Homework and practice
5. Nonlinguistic representations
6. Cooperative learning
7. Setting objectives and providing feedback
8. Generating and testing hypotheses
9. Cues, questions, and advance organizers" (Varlas, 2002).

Discussion

 From my research I learned that teachers need to help students draw upon past experiences and knowledge through comparisons of concepts, concept mapping (as a form of organizing information), note taking and summarizing, homework, and cooperative learning.  Cooperative learning also allows students to learn from one another.  Teachers should provide students with feed back and recognition.  Teachers should help students set goals, and then reflect on those goals.  Teachers should help students formulate questions and make predictions.