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Explicit teaching

Explicit teaching strategies

The evidence is clear that explicit teaching strategies enhance learning for all students in every classroom.

8 segments of explicit teaching strategies surround the 4 enabling factors. These surround the teaching and learning cycle. The strategies are chunking and sequencing learning connecting learning sharing success criteria sharing learning intentions gradual release of responsibility using effective feedback checking for understanding and using effective questioning Enabling factors are high expectations safe inclusive learning environment know the content and how to teach it and know students and how they learn 8 segments of explicit teaching strategies surround the 4 enabling factors. These surround the teaching and learning cycle. The strategies are chunking and sequencing learning connecting learning sharing success criteria sharing learning intentions gradual release of responsibility using effective feedback checking for understanding and using effective questioning Enabling factors are high expectations safe inclusive learning environment know the content and how to teach it and know students and how they learn
Image: Figure 1: The explicit teaching graphic represents what explicit teaching means in NSW public schools and what it looks like in practice. It is organised into 8 key strategies supported by 4 enabling factors.

Explicit teaching strategies respond to what we know about how students learn. Teachers use their professional expertise to choose the right strategy at the right time for the right purpose.

Teachers check for understanding throughout learning.

Checking for understanding

  • is a way to determine student readiness when moving between modelled, guided and independent practice
  • supports accurate schema development by checking learning while it is occurring.

Learn more about Checking for understanding.

Teachers break information into manageable chunks.

Chunking and sequencing learning

  • manages student cognitive load by introducing new information in chunks in a logical sequence to develop schema
  • allows frequent opportunities for students to practise.

Learn more about Chunking and sequencing learning.

Teachers support students to make connections within and across learning.

Connecting learning supports students to develop increasingly complex schema by making connections between prior knowledge and new information.

Learn more about Connecting learning.

Teachers support increasing independence as students develop knowledge, understanding and skills.

Gradual release of responsibility scaffolds learning to manage cognitive load while students develop increasing independence.

Learn more about Gradual release of responsibility.

Teachers tell students what they are learning and why.

Sharing learning intentions in explicit teaching directs student attention to the key learning.

Learn more about Sharing learning intentions.

Teachers tell students what they need to do to demonstrate their learning.

Sharing success criteria in explicit teaching manages student cognitive load by making expectations clear.

Learn more about Sharing success criteria.

Teachers give feedback to students that prompts them to reflect on their learning.

Using effective feedback in explicit teaching

  • helps the student move from current state to intended demonstration of learning
  • supports schema development by reinforcing accurate understanding and correcting errors and misconceptions.

Learn more about Using effective feedback.

Teachers ask questions to monitor learning and engage all students in thinking.

The use of effective questioning in explicit teaching supports students to develop stable, accurate and increasingly complex schemas.

Learn more about Using effective questioning.

Understanding how learning happens

Teachers choose explicit teaching strategies based on their knowledge of how learning happens.

Leading explicit teaching

These professional learning resources are designed to support implementation of explicit teaching in your school.

Category:

  • Teaching and learning

Topics:

  • Explicit teaching

Business Unit:

  • Curriculum
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