Characteristics of
Effective Teachers
What is the difference
Between the good teacher
and
the effective teacher?
One is a philosophical
question, the other
empirical.
The big picture:


Teacher as a
reflective
decision-maker
Teachers make
hundreds, even
thousands of
decisions each
day
Lesson Planning


Lesson planning
is not just what
goes into the
“checkerboard
squares” book.
It goes on all
day and
sporadically into
the night
Lesson implementing


Lesson
implementing is
what people
usually think of
as teaching
That’s actually
less than half
the teacher’s
day!
Evaluating
100
80
60
Bill
40
Janie
20
0
Sam
Test 3

Evaluating does
more than just
give feedback to
students; it
helps the
teacher, too
After evaluation,
the teacher is
ready to plan
again.
Test one

Mary
Four areas of essential
competence for
teachers




Attitudes that foster learning
and genuine human
relationships
Knowledge of the subject
matter
Theoretical knowledge of
learning and human behavior
Skills of teaching {presentation}
Teacher attitudes




Toward self. “Know thyself.”
Towards children. Preferences
for some, dislike for others. Self
fulfilling prophecies
Peers & parents.
Authority/collaboration,
competition/cooperation
Attitudes toward subject
matter. Enthusiasm helps!
Subject matter
knowledge


Pure content knowledge
Pedagogical content knowledge
What theoretical
knowledge is needed?



Theory versus hypothesis.
Educational theory. What is
most likely to happen in a given
situation?
Theoretical knowledge is used
to (1) interpret situations and
(2) solve problems
What teaching
(presentation) skills are
needed?




Ability to ask different kinds of
questions
Ability to reinforce certain kinds
of student behaviors
Ability to diagnose student
needs
Ability to vary the learning
situation to assure involvement