Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions out there, but it can also be frustrating and challenging.
There are countless rules and guidelines that teachers should follow, but what makes an effective teacher? What do successful teachers do differently than ineffective ones?
In this video, I share 7 rules of effective teaching that work every time.
1. Be Prepared
Effective teachers prepare themselves for class. They don’t show up unprepared. If you’re going to teach, then you’d better be prepared.
When you arrive at school, you should have everything you need to teach right away. This includes lesson plans, materials, and anything else you may need.
This means you shouldn’t have to search for things when you walk into class. You should have everything you need right there.
2. Know Your Students
It’s impossible to teach effectively without knowing your students. You need to know where each student stands academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
You need to know what motivates them and what doesn’t motivate them. You need to know what they struggle with and what they excel at.
Knowing your students helps you understand their needs and wants. This allows you to tailor your lessons to their strengths and weaknesses.
3. Understand How Learning Works
Learning happens when we connect new information to our existing knowledge. The more connections we make, the easier it becomes to learn.
To create these connections, we use prior knowledge and experience. We apply what we already know to new situations.
The goal of any good teacher is to help students make these connections.
4. Use Visual Aids
Visual aids are extremely useful tools for helping students make connections between new information and their existing knowledge.
They allow us to see concepts in a different way. They give us a chance to explore ideas in a hands-on manner.
We can also use visual aids to reinforce important points.
5. Model Good Behavior
Good behavior is contagious. It spreads quickly among students.
Students want to emulate those around them. So if you model good behavior, students will too.
6. Provide Feedback
Feedback is another tool that can be used to encourage learning.
Providing feedback gives students the opportunity to improve their performance.
But it’s not enough to simply provide feedback. You must also provide constructive criticism.
7. Give Them Opportunities To Practice
Giving opportunities to practice is essential to learning.
Without opportunities to practice, students won’t develop the skills necessary to succeed.
So, when you give students opportunities to practice, you’re giving them the tools they need to become successful.
Successful teachers follow these seven rules every time. And they always work.
8. Create An Environment That Encourages Exploration
An environment that encourages exploration is essential to learning. Students need to feel comfortable exploring topics on their own.
They need to feel free to ask questions and try new things.
When students feel comfortable exploring, they’re much more likely to learn.
9. Make Sure Everyone Is On Board With The Same Goals
Everyone has goals. But everyone isn’t on board with the same goals.
Some people want to learn while others just want to pass.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure everyone is on board with the same set of goals.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with two groups of students who aren’t working towards the same thing.
And that’s never a good situation.
10. Have Fun!
Finally, remember to have fun. Fun is essential to learning.
