Exemplary Science Teaching– what is it and how do we know what it is?
When you think of a traditional classroom, what is it you think about? For most of us, we might use some of these descriptions based off of our own experience:
- All desks in rows
- Learning from a teacher lecturing the entire class
- Reading from PowerPoints and textbooks
- Having written homework
But what is exemplary teaching? It is best described as teaching outside of the “traditional box.” Which means that it isn’t all about listening to lectures the entire class and memorizing all of the information the teacher has given, rather it is going and doing what is being taught.
Here’s some ways that we’re able to identify what an exemplary class looks like:
- Using tables or grouping desks together
- Less lecturing during class
- Asking more questions and having student-led discussions
- Doing more activities rather than “pen to paper” homework
How can exemplary teaching be implemented and put into your science classroom?
One of the greatest ideas about science, is that there is so much to learn, yet still so much to be discovered! Science requires observations– make your class a place where your students are able to learn, observe, and conclude. These are some ways to get your students actively involved:
- More classroom experiments
- Student-centered learning
- Critical thinking activities (problem solving)
- Peer learning– students helping one another
- Allowing students to decide how they want to spend their class time (with your discretion)
- As a teacher, be a guide to their learning
- Make your class fit for the needs of your students
As educators, we should want to see our students grow and thrive in and out of our classrooms. Getting your students more involved in their learning, by having an exemplary classroom, will help them form their own opinions, think outside of the box, and how to discover on their own– to be critical learners and thinkers. When teaching them those tools in your class and pushing them out of their comfort zone, that will follow them in more aspects in life, beyond your classroom and will show them how to be lifelong learners.
“The important thing is to never stop questioning”
Albert Einstein
Getting Your Students Involved
In the video below, Shelley Wright, a science teacher, speaks out on her experience from changing her classroom from traditional to student-driven learning. In this TED Talk, Wright talks about the impact that her change of heart had in and out of her classroom. This video is an excellent example on how to get students involved in their learning– in a life changing way (literally)!
Josie I like how you start with a question it really pulls in the reader. I think you hit the nail on the head on how we can recognize exemplary teachers and their classrooms, but you needed examples on activities that teachers can do with their students that inspire learning. Overall nice work on how you displayed the information in your blog it seems to be separated nicely with other media to keep the reader’s attention so they don’t become uninterested. Great job!
Josie,
Great job with your blog post! I really enjoyed reading your ideas on how exemplary teaching can be implemented within the classroom. Your point on allowing students to decide on how they want to spend their class time really speaks to the Ted Talk video you shared with Shelley Wright. Wright’s story was very inspirational and she gave a real-world example on how her class directed their own learning, which led to them exceeding their expectations. Another point you mentioned is an exemplary teacher guides learning. What would be an example or lesson where you are guiding students, while still allowing students to have say in how the learning unfolds in the classroom?
Hi, Josie! The first thing that caught my eye when reviewing your publication was the quote “some people only dream of meeting their favorite scientists (I teach mine)” – I absolutely LOVE this!!! I have never heard this quote before, but it will definitely stick with me. The structure of your article is very well thought through. I really like how you started with defining a “traditional classroom” and then went on to discuss the characteristics of a classroom with exemplary science teaching happening. The TED Talk linked is very informative – thank you for sharing! Are there any aspects to a “traditional classroom” that you believe are still worthwhile to infuse into your exemplary classroom?