Use Of Instructional Practices Research Articles

Teaching EFL reading in Senegal: Current practices and recommendations

Reading comprehension involves understanding and interpreting information in written texts and constitutes a minimum academic ‘threshold’ that impacts broader education. Developing strong reading skills is particularly challenging for non-native readers because of the dual need for strong linguistic skills and efficient strategy use. This study focused on teaching English reading in Senegal, where most students are non-native speakers of the language and often perform poorly on national reading examinations, suggesting that how English reading is taught needs improvement grounded in best practices. 54 Senegalese EFL teachers completed an online survey eliciting their backgrounds and training, classroom profiles, knowledge and frequency of use of instructional practices and beliefs about the effectiveness of and rationale for various practices. Teachers were aware of most basic strategies, but many lacked familiarity with concepts associated with modern (cognitive) approaches to reading. Though some effective techniques were widely used, teachers’ reasons for using them did not always align with research, suggesting that teachers may misunderstand them. The article concludes with recommendations for improving EFL teacher training and instruction, such as a greater focus on interactive questioning and activities with an instructional (not assessment) focus that are applicable in Senegal and other developing nations.

How students' writing motivation, teachers' personal and professional attributes, and writing instruction impact student writing achievement: a two-level hierarchical linear modeling study.

Student motivation to write is a pivotal factor influencing their writing achievement. However, individual motivation to write is not independent of the learning environment. It also is crucial for teachers to develop their own efficacy, knowledge, and ability in writing and writing instruction to help them utilize effective instructional methods that stimulate students' motivation to write and further promote their writing achievement. Given these considerations, we utilized a two-level hierarchical linear model to examine the relationships among student motivation, teacher personal and professional traits, teacher writing instruction, and writing achievement at student and teacher levels. Our analysis of the dataset, which included 346 fourth and fifth graders nested within 41 classrooms, found that motivation had a positive predictive effect on writing ability at both student and teacher levels. Moreover, female students, fifth graders, and typically achieving students demonstrated higher writing achievement than their counterparts. While there were no significant effects of teacher efficacy, knowledge, ability, or professional development on student writing achievement, we observed that higher frequency of classroom management practices during writing instruction had a significant negative effect on student writing achievement. Our full model revealed that the relationship between student motivation and achievement was negatively moderated by teachers' increased use of instructional practices related to process features and using writing instruction materials, but positively moderated by increased use of varied teaching tactics. Overall, our findings emphasize the importance of contextual factors in understanding the complexity of student writing achievement and draw attention to the need for effective instructional practices to support students' writing development.

Teacher Collaboration and Instruction for Social-Emotional Learning: A Correlational Study

Teacher collaboration and social-emotional learning (SEL) are extant school improvement strategies intended to have a positive effect on student learning outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, ex post facto study was to examine possible correlations between degree of teacher collaboration and use of instructional practices that support student SEL among lower secondary teachers (grades 7-9) in the United States (Leonard, 2021). Correlational analyses were conducted using a secondary dataset of the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) sponsored by the Office of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, 2018). Results showed strong, statistically significant relationships between frequency of teacher engagement in higher-intensity “student-facing” collaborative actions such as peer observation, and the enactment of instructional approaches that contribute to student SEL, such as helping students believe they can do well in school and having them work in groups to come up with a joint solution to a problem. Implications for research and for the advancement of teacher collaboration and SEL in P12 schools are discussed.

Translanguaging for multiliteracy development: pedagogical approaches for classroom practitioners

ABSTRACT When teaching multilingual learners, it is critical for teachers to use instructional strategies that engage and nurture language and biliteracy skills. In this practice-based paper, we address how teachers can utilize translanguaging strategies to recognize and build multilingual practices while offering all learners opportunities to share their voices. The use of instructional practices that mirror the linguistic practices of multilingual learners promotes social justice and inclusivity in learning. We provide explanations and examples of translanguaging pedagogies, followed by instructional approaches that teachers can use to foster the language and literacy development of multilingual learners. Specific strategies and pedagogies that can be easily integrated into the classroom to promote language and literacy development are described. The appendix includes a shortlist of high-quality websites that support multilingual instruction and additional suggested readings for teachers seeking more information about how to integrate translanguaging into their classrooms.

Preparing for Learning and Teaching: Incorporating UDL and Mindset into Teacher Preparation Programs

This conceptual article highlights the use of instructional practices based on the Universal Design for Learning framework and a focus on promoting effective mindsets in two teacher preparation courses (Classroom Management and Introduction to Developmental Psychology & Learning Theory). These practices have anecdotally demonstrated potential to promote students’ understanding and practices in both learning and teaching. A review of research and personal experience as a K-12 teacher, administrator, and teacher educator in a university-based teacher preparation program guided this work.

An exploration of teachers and trainers use of instruction practices and development of students interpersonal abilities in hospitality training: the Ugandan perspective

ABSTRACT Interpersonal abilities as critical competencies are a prevalent subject in hospitality training. However, there remains a need to further study how teachers and trainers apply instruction practices to develop and strengthen students’ interpersonal abilities. This study aimed at identifying instruction practices used by teachers and trainers to ensure students’ development of interpersonal abilities and establishing students interpersonal abilities from teachers and trainers use of instructional practices. A qualitative research approach using a descriptive study design was used. A sample of 26 participants was purposively selected from vocational institutions and workplaces. In-depth interviews and observations were used to collect data. The study found out that discussions and presentations strengthened by mentoring were key to inculcating and strengthening the students’ interpersonal abilities. However, some students were confronted with challenges; remembrance of what was discussed, teacher and trainers acting as barricades during the use of instructional practices leading to student passiveness, being laughed at by fellow peers, understanding what has been discussed and in task-specific- feedback from trainers at the beginning of the workplace training. Thus, the study concluded that teacher-trainer collaboration was crucial for clear harmonization of instructional practices of students’ interpersonal abilities development and strengthening.

Constructivist Teachers Beliefs, Instructional Practices and Students’ Mathematics Performance

This study determined the role of teachers’ constructivist beliefs in the teaching and learning mathematics and the use of instructional practices in the mathematics performance of Grade 7 secondary students in the Pacific Towns of Northern Samar for the school year 2016-2017. This study utilized the descriptive-correlational research design.
 The demographic profile of teachers in mathematics such as constructivist beliefs, constructivist instructional practices and performance of students was described as it exists at the present time. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the beliefs in mathematics and students’ mathematics performance. Similarly, statistical analysis was used to determine the relationship between instructional practices and mathematics performance of the students.
 The findings showed that more than 50% of the mathematics’ teachers are aged less than 30 suggesting that most of the teachers are neophyte in the teaching career. As to educational attainment, most of the respondents are enrolled in master’s program. Only one-third have already completed master’s degree. In terms of relevant trainings, almost a half of the respondents have attended one to two trainings.
 Most of the teachers believe that teaching should involve real world connections. Teachers believe that they should create real-world environments that employ the context in which learning is relevant. Beliefs about emphasizing prior knowledge were also manifested by the teacher-respondents. Highly demonstrated beliefs include encouraging the use of multiple modes of representation to facilitate easy understanding and recall and the learner's previous knowledge constructions, beliefs and attitudes are considered in the knowledge construction process. In terms of social interaction beliefs, teachers manifested support for collaborative construction of knowledge through social negotiation.
 Result of the test conducted in mathematics by the researcher showed that more than half of the students got fair performance. Only one performed satisfactorily. Beliefs about emphasizing prior knowledge and beliefs in social interaction significantly predicted mathematics performance of students. Real world connection did not significantly predict mathematics performance.
 Respondents’ constructivist instructional practices did not offer a significant role in developing the mathematics ability of the students. Teachers did not play an active role in assimilating knowledge into students’ existing mental framework and reconstructing new knowledge.

Educator Knowledge and Preparedness for Educating Students With Autism in Public Schools

Use of evidence-based practices is important for the success of students in special education settings in public education. In total, 255 special educators in public education were surveyed about (a) use of instructional practices, (b) preparedness to use interventions, (c) access to training, (d) influences on decision-making, and (e) areas of need related to current roles. Results indicate a research-to-practice gap as educators reported using many practices not identified as evidence-based intervention when working with individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. Information about access to training and the types of trainings educators were currently participating in was gathered. Educators also reported feeling inadequately prepared to use interventions.

Teaching writing in Brazilian public high schools

Writing skills are crucial for high school students’ academic, social, and professional success in Brazil. Developing the ability to write, however, is a demanding process that requires considerable support from teachers. The purpose of this study was to survey the population of high school language arts teachers in two Brazilian states about their writing instructional practices, including the use of instructional practices supported by scientifically based research (evidence-based practices), perceptions of their preparation, and perceived self-efficacy in teaching writing. A second aim of this study was to examine whether teacher perceived preparation and self-efficacy predicted teachers’ use of evidence-based writing practices. Nine hundred fifty-three teachers completed the survey. The teachers’ responses point to some potential shortcomings in high school writing instruction, as the majority of teachers reported spending only 50 min per week teaching writing. Although teachers indicated that they were familiar with and used a variety of evidence-based writing practices in their classrooms, they used these practices infrequently. Further, teachers rated the preparation they personally undertook outside college or in-service higher than the preparation they received in college or in-service. The present study provides tentative support for the following recommendations for reforming high school writing instruction in Brazil: (a) increasing the amount of writing instruction and time students spend writing; (b) placing more emphasis on evidence-based writing practices; and (c) strengthening professional development for writing teachers in teacher education degree programs and for those already in the field.

Using Remote Delivery to Train Parents in Video Analysis Procedures

Video analysis interventions that incorporate self-monitoring procedures may be an effective method for training parents; however, prior research with parents has been limited to in-person training. Using remote delivery to deliver parent training has the potential to increase accessibility. This study used distance technology to train parents on the use of video analysis procedures to increase self-selected instructional practices. Parents used goal setting, self-graphing, and reflection to self-monitor their use of instructional practices. Results from a changing criterion and two multiple-baseline designs indicated that video analysis was effective for changing parents’ instructional practices and that the effects generalized to a second target behavior and maintained in the absence of intervention. Additionally, results from a social validity survey indicated that parents found the intervention acceptable and feasible.

Metasynthesis of Preservice Professional Preparation and Teacher Education Research Studies

Results from a metasynthesis of the relationships between 14 different types of preservice teacher preparation practices and teaching quality, preschool to university student performance, and university student and beginning teacher belief appraisals are reported. Each type of preservice practice (e.g., course-based student learning) included different kinds of instructional methods (e.g., problem-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and project-based learning). The metasynthesis included 118 meta-analyses and 12 surveys of more than three million study participants. Findings clearly indicated that active university student and beginning teacher involvement in mastering the use of instructional practices and both knowledge and skill acquisition by far stood out as the most important preservice teacher preparation practices. These included extended student teaching experiences, simulated instructional practices and microteaching, faculty coaching and mentoring, clinical supervision, different types of cooperative learning practices, and course-based active student learning methods. The pattern of results helped identify high leverage and high impact teacher preparation practices. Implications for future research and improving teacher preparation are described.

Does Collaboration in Teaching Situations Help in Enhancing Teacher's Job Satisfaction?

Collaboration dismantles the compartmentalized structure of educational organizations and creates a safe and supportive environment for its teachers. This helps them to share valuable knowledge related to content or pedagogy, with the common interest of creating a better learning environment for the students. Collaboration supports teachers in instructional practices as well as contributes to their job satisfaction. The structure of this paper is guided by theoretical frameworks by DuFour, Eaker, and DuFour's (2005) on collaboration, Bandura's (1977, 1982) social cognitive theory, and Herzberg's (1987) theory of motivation and hygiene. The data from United States teachers' from The Teaching and Learning International Survey (2013) was used to explore the relationship between collaboration, instructional practices, and job satisfaction using structural equation modeling. The results showed that collaboration among teachers cannot directly predict the level of job satisfaction, but significantly predicts job satisfaction when mediated through the use of instructional practices.

Teaching for conceptual understanding: A cross-national comparison of the relationship between teachers’ instructional practices and student achievement in mathematics

AbstractBackgroundEducators, researchers and policy-makers worldwide continue to struggle to understand the changes needed for improving educational outcomes and attainment for students, particularly in content areas such as mathematics and science that are essential for developing a highly skilled workforce. Given the continuing emphasis on linking teacher practices with student outcomes, this study aims to explore teachers’ use of particular instructional strategies and whether use is associated with student achievement.MethodsUsing data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007, this study examines eighth grade teachers’ use of instructional practices that support students’ conceptual understanding, and examines the relationship between those practices and mathematics test scores. Data from four countries was examined: U.S., Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Descriptive statistics and a series of multilevel regression models were used.ResultsThe results show that teachers in the U.S. were most similar to Korean teachers in the frequency and types of teaching practices reported, and that they reported using some practices at least as frequently, or more frequently than teachers in the other countries. A sub-set of teachers’ instructional practices are related to mathematics achievement in the U.S. and Singapore, but not in Korea or Japan.ConclusionsTeacher practices explained very little of the variability in test scores, even in cases where particular instructional practices were positively and significantly related to achievement. This research highlights the challenges for examining the teacher-level correlates of student test scores using data from cross-sectional, international studies that do not include measures of students’ prior achievement, classroom observations, or estimates of students’ out-of-school instruction.

The Perception and Implementation of Challenging Instruction by Middle School Teachers

Current education policy and reform advocate for increasing the level of challenge in K–12 classrooms in order to maximize students’ learning and academic success. This study examined middle school teachers’ views about implementing challenging instruction while participating in a whole-school professional development initiative. A grounded theory analysis revealed teachers’ feelings about challenge, the pressures that affected their decision to implement challenging instruction, and teachers’ use of instructional practices to challenge students. Classroom observations were also analyzed to explore whether teachers’ comments were related to differences in their use of challenging instruction. Teachers perceived 19 different pressures related to implementing challenging instruction, with pressures from students the most common across all subject areas. Some teachers were able to resolve pressures from students by having conversations with students about challenge, providing emotional and motivational support, scaffolding students’ thinking, and increasing student autonomy. Implications for teachers’ practice and professional development are discussed.

Accommodating Diversity by Analyzing Practices of Teaching (ADAPT)

The purpose of this article is to examine and analyze current instructional practices in relation to the phases of learning so that K-12 teachers can use those practices effectively to accommodate students’ diverse needs in learning. In the analysis, the authors focus on the proper uses of instructional methods to maximize students’ learning outcomes. This analysis is also applied to differentiated instruction, co-teaching, and the universal design for learning (UDL) as a way to meet the needs of diverse learners. Thus, the analysis is intended to be a guide for the use of instructional practices in teacher education with the ultimate goal of providing effective and efficient teaching in K-12 classrooms. The advantages of using this guide include the utilization of a full range of effective practices in the classroom, minimizing unnecessary pedagogical conflicts, and the facilitation of co-teaching and differentiated instruction to maximize every student’s learning opportunities. Suggestions for educational researchers and teacher educators are also discussed.

Agreeing to Agree: A Response to Dempsey's Commentary on the Reported Prevalence by Australian Special Educators of Evidence-Based Instructional Practices

AbstractDempsey (this issue) has provided a commentary on our study (Carter, Stephenson, & Strnadová, 2011) examining the reported rates of use of instructional practices by Australian special educators. Examining this commentary, it is evident that on many issues we are on the same page and agree on many of the fundamental conclusions to be drawn from the study. Nevertheless, Dempsey did express concern regarding several aspects of the reporting of the study, which were suggested to have the ‘potential to mislead’ readers. In essence, these criticisms revolve around four substantive points and these will each be addressed.

Teacher-Reported Goal Structures: Assessing Factor Structure and Invariance

The purpose of this study was to extend the research on achievement goal theory by examining the measurement and understanding of goal structures using teacher-reported data. A large number of elementary, middle, and high school teachers completed an online survey that included items assessing their use of instructional practices associated with mastery and performance goal structures in the fall (n = 1,079) and spring (n = 867) of one school year. Findings supported the general 2-factor model that distinguishes mastery and performance goal structures. In addition, findings indicated differences in goal structures on the basis of academic level and the subject area for which teachers were responsible but not for experience as a teacher. Results also show that goal structures were fairly stable across the school year.

Professional Development and Instructional Practice: Conceptions and Evidence of Effectiveness

As with many districtwide reform efforts, the San Diego reform sought to improve classroom instruction by focusing on building the capacity of teachers. This article examines practices of teacher professional development in the district and their impact on literacy instruction. Through examination of the literature on effective professional development, school staff's conceptions of what makes professional development effective, and detailed data on professional development experiences from 100 elementary teachers, we explore the extent to which characteristics of effective professional learning align with what is actually taking place in schools. We also examine relationships between professional development characteristics and teachers' use of instructional practices that have been shown to predict student growth in reading comprehension. We find that professional development characterized by an emphasis on content and curriculum and that incorporates coaching is related to a higher frequency of this type of instruction.

Comparing the Impact of Accountability Examinations on Mississippi and Tennessee Social Studies Teachers' Instructional Practices

This study compared the impact of state accountability examinations on social studies teachers' instructional practices. Data were obtained from a survey instrument given to a representative sample of Mississippi teachers who teach the same content tested on their state's high-stakes high school graduation examination and a representative sample of Tennessee teachers who teach the same content tested on their state's relatively lower stakes End-Of-Course examination. An analysis found teachers in both states using a combination of teacher-centered and student-centered instructional practices. But Mississippi teachers' use of instructional practices was most influenced by examination-related factors, whereas Tennessee teachers' use of instructional practices was most influenced by personal-related factors. I use the entire academic year preparing my students for the United States history subject area exam. My choice of instructional delivery and materials is completely dependent on preparation for this test. Therefore, I do not use current events, long-term projects, or creative group/corporate work because this is not tested and the delivery format is not used. All my tests reflect the testing format of the subject area tests—multiple-choice and open-ended questions. This delivery and curriculum format is not used in my other classes (United States Government and Economics). In these nontested classes, I do use a variety of instructional methods and curriculum resources. While I agree with the principle of student/teacher/administrator accountability, … by making the goal of my United States history course the ability to pass the state test, I'm afraid that all meaningfulness and relevancy to history is being lost on my students. As a result, they have a better factual base but a worse conceptual understanding of the subject and what it is good for. A Mississippi high school United States history teacher I try to teach in a manner that will prepare students for college. For me, that's the bottom line. I am sick and tried of hearing about educational accountability and things such as learning expectations, performance indicators, Gateway Tests, and for my course [United States History], the End-of-Course Test. Even though the End-of-Course Test isn't really a high-stakes test such as the Gateway Test because high school graduation doesn't ride on the results of this test, still, the result of this test affect the content I teach, the way I teach, and grade I give students in this course. There is too much game playing in teaching today! There are too many people trying to tell me how to teach; I know how. — A Tennessee high school United States history teacher

Scientific explanations: Characterizing and evaluating the effects of teachers' instructional practices on student learning

AbstractTeacher practices are essential for supporting students in scientific inquiry practices, such as the construction of scientific explanations. In this study, we examine what instructional practices teachers engage in when they introduce scientific explanation and whether these practices influence students' ability to construct scientific explanations during a middle school chemistry unit. Thirteen teachers enacted a project‐based chemistry unit, How can I make new stuff from old stuff?, with 1197 seventh grade students. We videotaped each teacher's enactment of the focal lesson on scientific explanation and then coded the videotape for four different instructional practices: modeling scientific explanation, making the rationale of scientific explanation explicit, defining scientific explanation, and connecting scientific explanation to everyday explanation. Our results suggest that when teachers introduce scientific explanation, they vary in the practices they engage in as well as the quality of their use of these practices. We also found that teachers' use of instructional practices can influence student learning of scientific explanation and that the effect of these instructional practices depends on the context in terms of what other instructional practices the teacher uses. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 53–78, 2008