What Is Effective Teaching & Learning?

Effective teaching is a set of numerous skills that talented teachers work hard to hone. Effective teachers nurture effective learners; effective learning is a skill set that the student develops. An effective teacher helps a student become an effective learner by giving the student tools to work with and room to question.

Learning Principles

Effective teachers understand that learning is not necessarily an outcome of teaching. Students need to be allowed to explore, question and discover on their own for effective learning to take place.

Concrete to Abstract

Learning is most likely to happen when students are allowed to start with the concrete and tangible, then move toward abstract concepts at their own pace. For example, a person needs to learn that 2 + 3 = 5, then 2 + 3 = 3 + 2, and then they are able to grasp the abstract: a + b = b + a.

Hands-On

One of the best ways to learn is by doing. Effective teachers understand this and give their students as many opportunities as possible for hands-on learning.

Feedback

Repetition is important, but it is not enough to nurture effective learning in students. Effective teachers give students regular feedback on how they've done, and encourage them to explore and continue to learn.

Group Learning

Learning in groups gives students social motivation to learn, and also makes it more fun. Students benefit from each other's insights.

References

• Science for All Americans: Effective Learning and Teaching
• Baker College: Professional Development
• Teaching Tips Index