![]() Pause frequently to give students time to digest the information. Ensure the pace of information is appropriate for grade level and ability. It's not just what you say it's also how you say it. Provide students with feedback that can help them comprehend and complete the task. Ask them specific questions about the requirements. Make Sure Your Students UnderstandĪfter giving them directions, ask your students to repeat or rephrase what's expected of them. Connecting the task to existing student knowledge, previous lessons, or covered material will help students feel more confident about tackling the task. When you explain to students why they're being asked to complete an assignment, they're more able to appreciate the experience. I often write assignment directions on the board, on the assignment sheet, and in our computer platform so that students can refer to them as they work. A quick look around the room, some redirection, and some repetition can ensure that every student is focused and understands what they need to do. A teacher might give directions and find that their students haven't been paying attention, or that the students only half-grasped the instructions. We assume that our students listen when we speak-but anyone who has been teaching for more than five minutes knows this isn't always the case. Providing a strong, detailed rubric with the assignment can also make both the teacher's and the student's job clearer and easier. Explaining what students have to do, how they have to do it, and when they have to complete it by can help them understand-and follow-your directions. Teachers should also clearly articulate the expectations of the assignment or task. They also suggested using nouns instead of pronouns-especially when teaching younger students-and avoiding vague terms such as "some," "a few," or "a couple."įurther Reading: A 'how to' for aspiring teachers. They advised using short, complete sentences and precise, concrete terms so that students will be able to understand what's expected of them. Thirty-three years ago, Chilcoat and Stahl wrote the definitive framework for giving clear directions. There are several steps teachers can take to ensure that their students understand instructions and are able to complete assignments with ease. When given effective directions, students can engage with the material more effectively and ultimately have more productive experiences. Teachers are sometimes surprised to discover just how much giving clear instructions to students can affect students' success in the classroom.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |