Forms of instructional strategies can be implemented in the classroom

 

 

 

Various forms of instructional strategies can be implemented in the classroom to inform instruction and create student engagement, while also meeting the diverse needs of students. Instructional strategies come in varying forms, ranging from direct instruction provided by the teacher to student-centered approaches like collaborative work groups amongst students. While many instructional strategies can be utilized across content areas, some instructional strategies may be more appropriate than others based on the standard and learning objective of a lesson.

Complete the “Instructional Strategies Chart” to describe teacher-centered and student-centered instructional strategies, align instructional practices, and reflect.

Part 1: Examining Instructional Strategies

Describe the defining characteristics and examples of each instructional strategy (50 words per strategy) related to direct instruction, concept attainment, inquiry, and cooperative learning. Research two additional instructional strategies of your choice.

Part 2: Aligning Instructional Strategies

Copy and paste your grade level, state standard, and learning objective from Part 2 of the Topic 1 Learning Objectives and Standard Alignment assignment into the chart.

Tennessee Standard is 2.AO.A.1 2nd grade

Provide three examples of instructional strategies that effectively support students in achieving the established learning objective and a brief justification of the alignment (75 words per example).

Part 3: Video Reflection

Using the topic Resources and your own research, 200 word reflecting on the following:

Summary of your findings in your examination of instructional strategies, including which approaches and strategies most resonate with you.
Explanation of how instructional strategies relate to learning theories (e.g., behaviorism, cognitivism) and include at least two specific examples. Include a discussion on why pedagogical knowledge of theories and research on effective teaching are beneficial, regardless of the content area you plan to teach.
Description of instructional strategies that you can incorporate into your future professional practice to enhance student achievement, improve critical/higher-order thinking, and promote student engagement and motivation. 
Support your chart and reflection with a minimum of three scholarly resources.
 

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a comprehensive response designed to complete your "Instructional Strategies Chart" and address the reflection questions, using the provided Tennessee Standard.

 

Instructional Strategies Chart

 

 

Part 1: Examining Instructional Strategies

 

Instructional StrategyDefining Characteristics and Examples (Max 50 words)Type (Teacher-Centered or Student-Centered)
Direct InstructionA teacher-centered, highly structured approach for teaching facts, rules, and sequences. The teacher models the skill, guides practice, and provides immediate feedback. Example: Explicitly teaching the steps for long division or introducing new vocabulary terms. 

My examination confirms that effective teaching requires a balanced approach, moving fluidly between teacher-centered and student-centered methods. The highly structured nature of Direct Instruction is crucial for building foundational skills like procedure and vocabulary. However, the strategies that most resonate with me are Cooperative Learning and Inquiry-Based Learning because they intrinsically motivate students. I found that combining a structured input phase (Direct Instruction) with a collaborative application phase (Cooperative Learning) is the most powerful combination for diverse classrooms.

 

Instructional Strategies and Learning Theories

 

Instructional strategies are the practical application of theoretical learning principles. For example, the use of Direct Instruction aligns directly with Behaviorism (Skinner) and Cognitivism principles. The sequence of "I do, We do, You do" relies on the behaviorist principle of modeling and reinforcement through guided and independent practice. Conversely, Inquiry-Based Learning is rooted in Cognitivism, specifically the work of Piaget and Bruner, who advocated for learning through discovery and challenging students to organize and process new information actively. Pedagogical knowledge of these theories is essential for all content areas because effective teaching is about how people learn, not just what they learn. Understanding theory allows educators to diagnose learning difficulties and adapt strategies based on research-proven efficacy (Shulman, 1987).

 

Future Professional Practice

 

In my future practice, I plan to incorporate Concept Attainment to foster critical/higher-order thinking. By asking students to analyze "Yes" and "No" examples to derive a rule, I push them beyond simple memorization to synthesis and analysis. To enhance student engagement and achievement, I will regularly use the Jigsaw cooperative learning technique. Jigsaw promotes individual accountability (each student must master their part) and positive interdependence (the group depends on each expert), making it a highly effective method for both content mastery and skill development (Slavin, 2011).