The NSW Quality Teaching model is aimed at bringing the level of teaching in kindergartens and schools to a higher level by means of implementing the three dimensions of the model. They are intellectual quality, quality learning environment, and significance. Combined and applied to pedagogy, the three areas of the Quality Teaching model are supposed to improve students studying outcomes.
Intellectual Quality in the NSW Quality Teaching Model
Intellectual quality refers to using in class specific tools and methods of teaching that require students to use their full potential in learning and completing the tasks. Among the methods that can be assigned to this area of the model are, for instance, personalization of assignments, interactive exercises, role plays and debates, as well as gradation of tasks. Such an approach will allow developing students’ intellectual skills, such as critical or analytical thinking abilities, more effectively and efficiently.
Furthermore, intellectual quality teaching is to ensure students are given a profound theoretical basis for completing the practical tasks. Thus, well-compiled and well-presented theory is to become the basis for effective development of intellectual skills on practice. As a result, students are taught relevant and organized material that will help them to use and develop their skills and abilities.
Quality Learning Environment Aspect of the Quality Teaching Model
Quality learning environment means that the teaching and learning processes should be conducted in friendly and favorable for studying environment. This involves both physical and mental aspects. On the physical side – the learning environment should satisfy basic students’ needs, such as a need for a sitting place, for a well-lit working place, for a textbook or for additional supportive materials.
Another important factor is the overall atmosphere in the classroom. The teacher should enhance creation of positive atmosphere in the class by means of communication, student engagement, support and direction. Department of Education and Training of the State of Queensland (2007) outlines that one of the tasks in creating a quality learning environment is teaching students the appropriate social skills, which will then help children to successfully integrate into the learning environment.
Significance in the Quality Teaching Model
The aspect of significance in the Quality Teaching pedagogy model refers to students’ understanding the importance of each subject they are studying. In order to comprehend, understand and learn the material more effectively students should understand why they need it or what relation it has to their lives.
Therefore, the teacher must be always finding connections between the material being taught and student’s everyday life, previous experiences, cultural and social backgrounds, etc. The assignments, in their turn, should also be designed in such a way that students understand how they are relative to their lives.
In general, using the Quality Teaching model requires a teacher to, first of all, clearly see what one is going to teach (what particular skills and abilities to develop). Secondly, the teacher should realize why the particular material is important and explain the reasons to the students. Then the teacher should decide on how the students will show their understanding of the material. Finally, efficient assessment criteria should be outlined and, of course, explained to the students.
Sources:
- Amosa ,Wendy, James Ladwig, Tom Griffiths and Jennifer Gore. Equity effects of Quality Teaching: Closing the gap. The University of Newcastle. Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education conference, Fremantle, 25 – 29 November, 2007. Web. 28 Jan. 2011.
- The State of Queensland (Department of Education and Training). The Importance of a Positive Classroom Environment. 2007. Web. 28 Jan. 2011.
Alla Kondrat - Alla Kondrat+ is a Feng Shui topic editor at Suite101.com, as well as a full time freelance writer and translator (Russian and Ukrainian). ...
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