Great Teaching Means Letting Go
My initial thoughts from reading this title is that effective teaching happens when teachers allow students to learn without restrictions. If teachers are to control the terms in which students are learning, then they are not independent of the teacher. Students should be encouraged to be autonomous learners and independent thinkers. Grant makes an interesting statement regarding the transfer of knowledge, students ought to be able to draw upon and apply what was learned. Grant refers to this as “not scripted behavior”.
A great deal of his article constantly reminds me of the importance of metacognition. Students ability to think about their thinking. Students should know what strategies are most effective in getting through and analyzing certain problems. Grant states, “ students gain practice from their repertoire with no teacher prompting.” When students develop their own molded form of thinking, analyzing, problem solving they are able to make great strides towards independence. Students should not be drilled with practices exercises that they are not able to apply to situations out of context. In retrospect, it is sort of dealing with “if….,then…” scenarios. Being able to decide the types of strategies to use, and how to best solve or understand content in situations should be a focal point in student learning.
Further in the article, Grant discusses a very common term that teachers hear, “The Gradual Release Model”. Teachers are supposed to provide the 3-2-1 framework of learning. The concept involves everyone participating and practicing together, “I Do, We Do, You Do.” The first step is direct instruction, secondly is guided instruction, and third is based on independent feedback or practice.
Personally, I believe Grant makes a valid argument for increased student and learner independence. Teachers must learn to provide students with resources and strategies, and have the confidence in them apply these strategies to the necessary problems that arise. Learners deserve to be able to think on their own, and develop their own methods of thinking and solving problems. Grant unequivocally states “unless you back off completely, on a daily basis, in scrimmages as well as games, to see whether or not students draw appropriately from the repertoire in a timely and effective fashion in challenges that demand it, you really have no idea what they can do on their own.” In order for our students to thrive and be successfully independent learners, teachers must provide them with the freedom to discover on their own and develop their own ways of learning and thinking. Scaffolding can become overbearing if not served with an even balance of challenge, independence and support.
I agree with you about how teachers need to provide students with resources and strategies to help them foster thinking on their own. Teachers should give up some of the control and allow students to develop their own methods/strategies for thinking and problem solving. My administration wants us to practice the Gradual Release Model in my school but when they come in to conduct evaluations there are always questions about what we are doing. I believe in the Gradual Release model and I believe that if the powers that be allow us as teachers to practice it in our classes great teaching and learning will occur. I believe that students should not be drilled on practice exercises but if you are constantly being told that data drives the instruction how can you change it.I really enjoyed your post and it made me think of someways that I can become a more effective teacher.
ReplyDelete