Enhancing Teacher-Led Instruction through Effective Explanation Strategies
Explanation
More talk and chalk
Greg Thornton
– History Subject Leader
There is
extensive research
into the use of explanation in the classroom
What are the benefits of teacher
led instruction?
The Six Keys to Great Explanation
1.
Strong subject knowledge
2.
Credibility and Clarity
3.
Concise design
4.
Examples & Analogy
5.
Storytelling
6.
Chances to elaborate
1. Strong Subject Knowledge
Einstein
:
“If you can’t explain it simply you don’t
understand it well enough”
Beware the curse of knowledge
. Aim to reformulate
your expert knowledge into teachable material
Tether your explanation to something they already
know
, link to prior knowledge & also the big picture
Know your misconceptions
, plan for them and lead
students towards them, a trap!
2.
Credibility and Clarity
Razor sharp instructions
– Use front loading and
simplified instructions
Script and rehearse your explanations, plan the
examples, vocabulary & concepts you want to use
Communicate clearly;
utilise your tone and body
language & get students to repeat the main message
Keep the main thing, the main thing
Convey a core message with emphasis and tone
3.
Concise Design
Take it slow
– Reduce impact on working memory by
breaking down your explanation.
Set up your classroom strategically;
Eye contact,
minimise distraction and teach students to listen.
Utilise Dual Coding Theory.
Present information
both orally and visually to aid understanding
Use a visualiser to support your explanation
and
modelling by drawing diagrams/graphic organisers
4.
Examples and Analogies
Willingham
:
“We understand new things in
context of things we already know....”
Use multiple examples,
if one does not work, try
something else, don’t give up
Use analogies to turn the abstract, concrete.
Make connections to everyday life, existing schema
Bring your classroom to life
; use the features of
your class, reenactment and apply concepts.
5.
Storytelling
Stories are interesting, easy to understand and
remember.
Use to share your concept/content
Use personal anecdotes, stories about ex students
to share misconceptions and highlight attributes
Tell compelling
narratives:
with characters, conflicts
and resolutions that illuminate the core message
Try to strike a balance.
Between humour,
personality, emotional and the core message
6.
Chances to Elaborate
Encourage students to visualise what they have
learnt.
This helps them to better understand and
recall the information.
Use structured talk to get students to explain the
ideas in their own words,
thus allowing them time
for self-explanation and the opportunity to apply
the new ideas to their existing concrete knowledge.
Enser & Enser
: ”
Self explanation can be synthesizing
the material with that they already know”
Explanation in the Remote Age
Any questions?
Extensive research highlights the benefits of teacher-led instruction, emphasizing the importance of clear explanations, strong subject knowledge, credibility, concise design, examples & analogy, storytelling, and chances to elaborate. The six keys to great explanation include subject expertise, credibility, clarity, concise design, examples, storytelling, and opportunities for elaboration. Effective teachers plan meticulously, tethering explanations to prior knowledge, avoiding the curse of knowledge, and ensuring clear communication through razor-sharp instructions and concise design strategies.
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Presentation Transcript
Explanation More talk and chalk Greg Thornton History Subject Leader
What are the benefits of teacher led instruction? There is extensive research into the use of explanation in the classroom Christodoulou (2014) It is incredibly difficult to learn new information when we have no or minimal guidance Kirschner et al, 2006 The less prior knowledge a student had, the more teacher guidance they need Rosenshine, 2012 Effective instruction contains Give clear and detailed instructions and explanations. Hattie, 2008 Direct instruction and instructional quality have two of the top three effect sizes
The Six Keys to Great Explanation 1. Strong subject knowledge 2. Credibility and Clarity 3. Concise design 4. Examples & Analogy 5. Storytelling 6. Chances to elaborate
1. Strong Subject Knowledge Einstein: If you can t explain it simply you don t understand it well enough Beware the curse of knowledge. Aim to reformulate your expert knowledge into teachable material Tether your explanation to something they already know, link to prior knowledge & also the big picture Know your misconceptions, plan for them and lead students towards them, a trap!
2. Credibility and Clarity Razor sharp instructions Use front loading and simplified instructions Keep the main thing, the main thing Convey a core message with emphasis and tone Script and rehearse your explanations, plan the examples, vocabulary & concepts you want to use Communicate clearly; utilise your tone and body language & get students to repeat the main message
3. Concise Design Take it slow Reduce impact on working memory by breaking down your explanation. Set up your classroom strategically; Eye contact, minimise distraction and teach students to listen. Utilise Dual Coding Theory. Present information both orally and visually to aid understanding Use a visualiser to support your explanation and modelling by drawing diagrams/graphic organisers
4. Examples and Analogies Willingham: We understand new things in context of things we already know.... Use multiple examples, if one does not work, try something else, don t give up Bring your classroom to life; use the features of your class, reenactment and apply concepts. Use analogies to turn the abstract, concrete. Make connections to everyday life, existing schema
5. Storytelling Stories are interesting, easy to understand and remember. Use to share your concept/content Use personal anecdotes, stories about ex students to share misconceptions and highlight attributes Tell compelling narratives: with characters, conflicts and resolutions that illuminate the core message Try to strike a balance. Between humour, personality, emotional and the core message
6. Chances to Elaborate Enser & Enser: Self explanation can be synthesizing the material with that they already know Encourage students to visualise what they have learnt. This helps them to better understand and recall the information. Use structured talk to get students to explain the ideas in their own words, thus allowing them time for self-explanation and the opportunity to apply the new ideas to their existing concrete knowledge.
Explanation in the Remote Age Record yourself Use Loom to record yourself explaining a key concept, to be used in teaching or revision Create opportunities to recap To activate prior knowledge, record a video or ask them to complete an online quiz to Catch misconceptions early After an explanation, ask students to type/mindmap and share for you to check You don t have to do the explaining! There are tons of YouTube videos, TedTalks or Bitesize ones What can we do? Be aware of extraneous load. Make sure your resources or slides are not too cluttered when presenting virtually. Be crystal clear with your task instructions. You won t get the in the moment feedback like in class
