Professional Documents
Culture Documents
High Impact Teach Strat
High Impact Teach Strat
ISBN: 978-0-7594-0820-3
CONTENTS
Teachers
6
School leaders 6
Providing feedback
7
Setting Goals 10
Structuring Lessons 13
Explicit Teaching
16
Worked Examples
19
Collaborative Learning 22
Multiple Exposures
25
Questioning
28
Feedback
31
Metacognitive Strategies 34
Differentiated teaching 37
DEPUTY SECRETARY’S MESSAGE
Bruce Armstrong
Deputy Secretary, Regional Services Group
4
WHAT ARE THE HIGH IMPACT TEACHING STRATEGIES (HITS)?
5
WHO ARE THE HITS FOR?
This resource offers teachers and school leaders an Mastery of the HITS requires you to draw on both your
opportunity to embed and share the use of successful deep curriculum knowledge and your skills in assessment
instructional practices by providing: for, as and of learning. Applying the HITS effectively relies
on tapping into your expertise to develop and implement
a common language to use in planning, monitoring
and reflecting on classroom practice rich, authentic learning tasks. Importantly, adept
a developmental continuum to measure proficiency application of the HITS will stimulate your students to take
across ten high-impact teaching strategies, and agency for, and reflect on, their own learning.
initial resources to guide a practice improvement The continuum of practice included with each HITS will
journey. support you to reflect on your practice, assess proficiency
levels and set improvement goals, which can be linked to
The HITS will have the strongest impact on student
the performance and development cycle. The broader
learning when used as part of an ongoing improvement
FISO continua for the ‘Evidence Based High Impact
cycle embedded in professional learning communities.
Teaching Strategies’ dimension will also assist leaders and
Effective teams use the improvement cycle to: teachers to maintain a whole of practice focus.
diagnose a classroom need Deliberate practice and feedback on HITS in a trusted and
investigate a problem of practice collaborative environment will help you to develop new
identify one or more of the HITS as a possible skills and extend existing ones, impacting both teacher and
intervention student learning over time.
unpack, discuss and model the strategies
collectively review them as part of observation
rounds.
Providing feedback
Setting goals Structuring lessons Explicit teaching Worked examples Collaborative
learning
Lessons have clear A lesson structure maps When teachers adopt A worked example Collaborative learning
learning intentions with teaching and learning that explicit teaching practices demonstrates the steps occurs when students
goals that clarify what occurs in class. they clearly show required to complete a work in small groups and
success looks like. students what to do and task or solve a problem. everyone participates in a
Sound lesson structures
how to do it. learning task.
Lesson goals always reinforce routines, By scaffolding the
explain what students scaffold learning via The teacher decides on learning, worked There are many
need to understand, and specific steps/activities. learning intentions and examples support skill collaborative learning
what they must be able to They optimise time on success criteria, makes acquisition and reduce a approaches. Each uses
do. This helps the teacher task and classroom them transparent to learner’s cognitive load. varying forms of
to plan learning activities, climate by using smooth students, and organisation and tasks.
The teacher presents a
and helps students transitions. Planned demonstrates them by
worked example and Collaborative learning is
understand what is sequencing of teaching modelling. The teacher
explains each step. Later, supported by designing
required. and learning activities checks for understanding,
students can use worked meaningful tasks. It
stimulates and maintains and at the end of each
examples during involves students actively
engagement by linking lesson revisits what was
independent practice, and participating in negotiating
lesson and unit learning. covered and ties it all
to review and embed new roles, responsibilities and
together (Hattie, 2009).
knowledge. outcomes.
Key elements Key elements Key elements Key elements Key elements
Based on assessed Clear expectations Shared learning Teacher clarifies the Students work together
student needs Sequencing and linking intentions learning objective, then to apply previously
Goals are presented learning Relevant content and demonstrates what acquired knowledge
clearly so students Clear instructions activities students need to do to Students cooperatively
know what they are Clear transitions New content is acquire new knowledge solve problems using
intended to learn Scaffolding explicitly introduced and master new skills previously acquired
Can focus on surface Questioning/feedback and explored Teacher presents steps knowledge and skills
and/or deep learning Formative assessment Teacher models required to arrive at the Students work in
Challenges students Exit cards application of solution so students’ groups that foster peer
relative to their current knowledge and skills cognitive load is learning
mastery of the topic Worked examples reduced and they can Groups of students
Links to explicit support independent focus on the process compete against each
assessment criteria practice Students practice other
Practice and feedback independently using the
loops uncover and worked example as a
address model
misunderstandings
Related effect sizes Related effect sizes Related effect sizes Related effect sizes Related effect sizes
Goals – 0.56 Scaffolding – 0.53 Goals – 0.56 Worked examples – Peer tutoring – 0.55
Teacher clarity – 0.75 Formative evaluation – Worked examples – 0.57 Reciprocal teaching –
0.68 0.57 Spaced practice – 0.60 0.74
Teacher clarity – 0.75 Time on task – 0.62 Small group learning –
Spaced practice – 0.60 0.49
Direct instruction – 0.59 Cooperative learning vs
Teacher clarity – 0.75 whole class instruction
– 0.41
Cooperative learning vs
individual work – 0.59
Cooperative learning vs
competitive learning –
0.54
Months of progress
Collaborative learning
+5
Peer tutoring +5
7
Multiple exposures Questioning Feedback Metacognitive Differentiated
strategies teaching
Multiple exposures Questioning is a powerful Feedback informs a Metacognitive strategies Differentiated teaching
provide students with tool and effective teachers student and/or teacher teach students to think are methods teachers use
multiple opportunities to regularly use it for a range about the student’s about their own thinking. to extend the knowledge
encounter, engage with, of purposes. It engages performance relative to and skills of every student
When students become
and elaborate on new students, stimulates learning goals. in every class, regardless
aware of the learning
knowledge and skills. interest and curiosity in of their starting point.
Feedback redirects or process, they gain control
the learning, and makes
Research demonstrates refocuses teacher and over their learning. The objective is to lift the
links to students’ lives.
deep learning develops student actions so the performance of all
Metacognition extends to
over time via multiple, Questioning opens up student can align effort students, including those
self-regulation, or
spaced interactions with opportunities for students and activity with a clear who are falling behind and
managing one's own
new knowledge and to discuss, argue, and outcome that leads to those ahead of year level
motivation toward
concepts. This may express opinions and achieving a learning goal. expectations.
learning. Metacognitive
require spacing practice alternative points of view.
Teachers and peers can activities can include To ensure all students
over several days, and
Effective questioning provide formal or informal planning how to approach master objectives,
using different activities to
yields immediate feedback. It can be oral, learning tasks, evaluating effective teachers plan
vary the interactions
feedback on student written, formative or progress, and monitoring lessons that incorporate
learners have with new
understanding, supports summative. Whatever its comprehension. adjustments for content,
knowledge.
informal and formative form, it comprises specific process, and product.
assessment, and captures advice a student can use
feedback on effectiveness to improve performance.
of teaching strategies.
Key elements Key elements Key elements Key elements Key elements
Students have time to Plan questions in Precise, timely, Teaching problem High quality, evidence
practice what they have advance for probing, specific, accurate and solving based group instruction
learnt extending, revising and actionable Teaching study skills Regular supplemental
Timely feedback reflecting Questioning and Promotes self- instruction
provides opportunities Teachers use open assessment is questioning Individualised
for immediate questions feedback on teaching Classroom discussion interventions
correction and Questions used as an practice is an essential feature
improvement immediate source of Use student voice to Uses concept mapping
feedback to track enable student
progress/understanding feedback about
Cold call and strategic teaching
sampling are commonly
used questioning
strategies
Related effect sizes Related effect sizes Related effect sizes Related effect sizes Related effect sizes
Time on task – 0.62 Questioning – 0.46 Feedback – 0.73 Teaching problem RTI – 1.07
Spaced practice – 0.71 solving – 0.63 Piagetian programs –
Feedback – 0.73 Months of progress Study skills – 0.60 1.28
Self-questioning – 0.64 Second and third
Feedback +8
Months of progress Classroom discussion – chance programs – 0.5
0.82
Mastery learning +5
Concept mapping – Months of progress
0.64
Individualised
instruction +2
Months of progress
Mastery learning +5
Metacognition and self-
regulation +8
8
High Impact Teaching Strategy 1:
Setting Goals
Effective teachers set and communicate clear lesson goals to help students
understand the success criteria, commit to the learning, and provide the
appropriate mix of success and challenge.
STRATEGY OVERVIEW THIS STRATEGY IS DEMONSTRATED WHEN
THE TEACHER:
Hattie found an effect size of 0.56 for setting assesses students’ prior knowledge
goals (Hattie, 2009). uses evidence to differentiate learning goals for
What is it? groups of students based on need
demonstrates a purpose for learning by linking a
Lessons need clear learning intentions with goals that specific activity to the learning goals
clarify what success looks like. Lesson goals always provides realistic but challenging goals, and
explain what students need to understand, and what recognises effort towards achieving them.
they must be able to do. This helps the teacher to plan
learning activities, and helps students understand what
is required. THIS STRATEGY IS NOT DEMONSTRATED
WHEN THE TEACHER:
How effective is it? implies by words or actions that some students are
Research shows goals are important for enhancing not expected to achieve the learning goal
performance. It is important to set challenging goals, praises all work regardless of quality and effort
rather than ‘do your best’ goals relative to student assesses student work against other students’
starting places (Hattie, 2009). work, rather than against prior achievement and
individual learning goals.
Considerations
Learning goals must provide challenge for all students. THIS STRATEGY IS DEMONSTRATED WHEN
By setting challenging goals, the teacher develops and STUDENTS:
maintains a culture of high expectations.
actively engage with the learning goals to plan their
Learning goals should be achievable for students of own learning
varying abilities and characteristics. They must also self-monitor their progress, and provide evidence
have a firm base in assessed student needs. they believe demonstrates they have achieved
Assessment provides teachers with evidence of prior their goals
learning, and the information they need to set goals that frame future learning goals based on identified
offer each student the appropriate level of strengths and areas for improvement.
stretch/challenge.
Example 1: Year 8 – Health and Physical Example 2: Secondary – Whole school approach
Education
The Health and Physical Education (HPE) team at a At an outer suburban secondary college, the Attitudes to
Melbourne secondary school invited the Professional School Survey results revealed a high level of student
Learning Coordinator to their team meeting to discuss disengagement. Students reported that learning was not
using goal setting and success criteria for the upcoming engaging. Parents complained their children were often
Year 8 Dance Unit. The team wanted to ensure students unable to articulate what they learnt at school. The school
developed the required knowledge, understanding and leadership team decided to respond with a suite of whole
skills identified in the achievement standard. Discussion school initiatives that would roll out progressively through
during the meeting underlined the importance of providing the year. The interventions focused on making learning
students with clear learning intentions, success criteria and visible to students. The first step was to implement a
a common assessment language. The team decided to consistent approach in every lesson to setting goals and
create a unit plan that included a proficiency scale for the success criteria.
unit, with clear learning intentions and success criteria for
Resources were allocated to support the initiative. Over the
each lesson in the unit.
summer holidays all classrooms were fitted with small
At the start of the dance unit teachers presented their whiteboards with pre-set sections for learning outcomes,
students with a unit overview, and provided them with success criteria, activities and review questions. During the
opportunities to demonstrate their current knowledge and professional development and planning day at the start of
skills on a proficiency scale. Students were also introduced Term 1, all teachers were trained to use the mini-
to the unit’s learning intentions and success criteria so they whiteboards, and to develop learning outcomes clearly
could self-monitor their progress throughout the unit. linked to lesson activities and success criteria. During Term
1, Professional Learning Communities focused on
At the end of the dance unit, students reviewed the
supporting implementation of the strategy and monitoring
proficiency scales, and self and peer-assessed their gains
its impact on student learning.
in knowledge and skills. Teachers supported individual
students to identify their strengths and areas for By the end of Term 2, after achieving a high level of
improvement, and to set new learning goals. HPE teachers consistency and precision in using the mini-whiteboards,
collected the data and used it for overall student teachers reported an increase in student engagement. The
assessment, and to support reflection on the impact of their results of a student survey were even more promising,
teaching practice. showing a sharp increase in engagement with learning,
even when teachers had not yet noticed shifts in
Using proficiency scales allowed students and teachers to
performance.
recognise prior learning levels, and created opportunities to
reflect on student growth in engagement and academic In Term 3, teachers continued to evaluate the effectiveness
outcomes. Consistently articulating learning intentions and of their practice, monitor student engagement and learning,
success criteria allowed teachers to set challenges that and seek feedback from colleagues and students to gauge
fostered student commitment to learning, and built their the impact of changed practices.
confidence in attaining the learning intentions.
CONTINUUM OF PRACTICE
Teachers set learning goals Teachers set explicit, Teachers develop and A culture of high
that explain what students challenging and achievable maintain a culture of high expectations for all students
need to understand, and learning goals for all expectations for all students is embedded. Students
what they must be able to students, drawing on by setting challenging regularly set their own
do. students’ backgrounds, learning goals. learning goals, self-reflect
interests and prior and evaluate, and share
Teachers use student knowledge. Teachers use moderation of feedback with peers.
assessment data and prior student assessment tasks
learning to set learning Teachers work together to to refine learning goals, and Teachers support students
goals. design learning activities to provide appropriate to use evidence to
and assessment tasks that levels of challenge for each personalise and revise their
Teachers design learning require students to student. learning goals, based on
activities and assessment demonstrate knowledge and identified strengths and
tasks that reflect the skills at many levels. Teachers support students areas for improvement.
learning goals. to use learning goals to
Teachers make explicit the monitor and progress their Teachers use data to
connections between learning. They encourage evaluate the impact of
learning goals, learning students to review and set setting goals to raise
activities, and assessment their own learning goals. achievement and
tasks. engagement levels.
EVIDENCE BASE
Evidence for Learning: Teaching and Learning Toolkit – Australia: http://evidenceforlearning.org.au/the-toolkit/
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton Park,
UK: Routledge.
Lemov, D. (2015). Teach like a champion 2.0: 62 techniques that put students on the path to college. San
Francisco, USA: Jossey-Bass.
Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: A comprehensive framework for effective instruction.
Alexandria, USA: ASCD.
High Impact Teaching Strategy 2:
Structuring Lessons
Effective teachers plan and deliver structured lessons which incorporate a
series of clear steps and transitions between them, and scaffold learning to
build students’ knowledge and skills.
Considerations
After gauging student prior knowledge through In a Miming unit, lesson and unit structures are designed to
questioning, the teachers collaboratively set appropriate scaffold student learning. Opportunities are created to build
learning objectives and success criteria. They are their improvisation skills, and to demonstrate competence
presented as the lesson begins using acronyms: WALT against the achievement standards in the level 5/6 band.
(We Are Learning To) refers to learning objectives, and
To begin, the teacher identifies students’ prior knowledge
WILF (What I’m Looking For) refers to success criteria.
through questioning and a short performance. Students
The teacher sets clear expectations by defining WALT perform a short mime in front of a small audience so the
and WILF at the start of the lesson, ensuring students teacher can gauge individual skill levels. The teacher then
understand the lesson’s objectives and content. As the provides a brief overview of miming with worked examples.
class moves through the activities, the teacher provides
The unit’s focus then turns to skill development. Each
opportunities to measure student learning. Using Traffic
lesson has clearly articulated success criteria – a set of
Light questioning, students indicate their level of
activities scaffold the learning and explicitly address the
content understanding. The teacher has structured the
learning intentions, with clear transitions linking to skills
lesson to allow time to work with the students requiring
developed in previous lessons. Lessons are designed so
additional support. At the same time, those who
students can participate in mime games and activities that
indicate they have understood the concept are working
furnish opportunities for self-assessment, peer feedback
on an extension activity. When students demonstrate a
and teacher feedback. The teacher’s clear instructions
clear understanding of the concept they can transition
assist all students to build skills. This scaffolding approach
to the next activity.
is intended to make learning visible and predictable,
At the end of the lesson, the teacher summarises and helping students to feel comfortable, prepared and capable
reinforces the main ideas, then poses a question to of presenting a short mime by the end of the unit.
students in the form of an Exit Card. The teacher
The unit concludes with a summative assessment.
analyses their answers to assess whether they have
Students perform a short mime in front of an audience,
grasped concepts well enough to progress in the unit.
similar in design to the initial assessment activity. By
The lesson design reinforces routine through a comparing both performances, the teacher can assess and
scaffolded approach to learning informed by clearly provide feedback on individual student growth and skill
identified goals and formative assessment. Time on development.
task is optimised and student engagement maintained.
CONTINUUM
The teacher identifies the The teacher plans and The teacher assesses prior The teacher ensures all
learning goals, sets learning delivers structured lessons knowledge, signposts new students understand the
activities, and assesses that include reviewing content, and clearly learning intentions and
student understanding. previous lessons, explains the learning goals success criteria.
signposting new content to of the current lesson.
The teacher explains the be covered, explaining The teacher reinforces
lesson structure, including learning activities, and The teacher designs routines, scaffolds new
timeframes for learning checking for understanding sequenced learning learning via specifically
activities. at the end of the lesson. activities that scaffold the selected steps/activities,
learning. and uses smooth transitions
The teacher ensures the to optimise time on task and
lesson’s steps are clear Teaching is adapted during classroom climate.
transparent and predictable the lesson in response to
for students. students’ understanding. The teacher spontaneously
adjusts instructions during a
lesson to increase learning
opportunities and improve
students’ understanding.
In closing the lesson, the
teacher reviews, clarifies
and reinforces key points,
and assesses student
understanding.
EVIDENCE BASE
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton
Park, UK: Routledge.
Kyriakides, L., Christoforou, C. and Charalambous, C. (2013). ‘What matters for student learning outcomes:
A meta-analysis of studies exploring factors of effective teaching,’ Teaching and Teacher Education, 36,
143-52.
Lemov, D. (2015). Teach like a champion 2.0: 62 techniques that put students on the path to college. San
Francisco, USA: Jossey-Bass.
Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: A comprehensive framework for effective
instruction. Alexandria, USA: ASCD.
High Impact Teaching Strategy 3:
Explicit Teaching
Effective teachers use explicit teaching to provide instruction, demonstrate
concepts and build student knowledge and skills. In explicit teaching practice,
teachers show students what to do and how to do it, and create opportunities
in lessons for students to demonstrate understanding and apply the learning.
An inner city primary school has endorsed a whole After introducing a History research project to a Year 8
school approach that encourages teachers to target Humanities class, the teacher recognised most students
writing mechanics. This emphasis encouraged a group were struggling with bibliography writing skills which had
of teachers in an English Professional Learning been addressed in Year 7 but obviously needed revision.
Community to interrogate their student achievement
data on writing. Developing explicit teaching lesson In response, the teacher planned a lesson that used explicit
segments quickly became the focus of PLC meetings. teaching to scaffold students’ knowledge and competence
They decided to use an explicit teaching framework for in how to reference sources consulted during their
a collaboratively designed model lesson plan – an research.
approach that assisted all PLC members to learn more The teacher commenced the review lesson by presenting
about explicit teaching techniques. the learning goals and success criteria, taking time to
The broad learning intention they adopted was that establish students’ prior knowledge and connecting that
students will know how, and be able to, write an knowledge to the new project. A class discussion followed
introduction. Their planning first focused on how to about how students can find information for their research
clearly demonstrate to students what they need to know projects from many sources, such as the internet, books
and how to do it. They collaborated on designing a and television programs. The teacher then explained the
persuasive writing lesson plan that explicitly taught and importance and function of taking notes from each source
modelled how to write an introduction. during the research phase. She used explicit teaching to
show students how to reference various information
The model lesson plan opened with explanations of the sources.
learning goals and success criteria. It moved on to
explicitly teach the structure of an introduction, clearly The teacher modelled notetaking and bibliography writing,
naming and explaining all the components. The next pointing out key features of each and how they related to
step was for the teacher to present varied exemplars achieving the learning goals and success criteria. She then
demonstrating what a good introduction looks like. The provided students with source material examples so they
model plan’s next step was to check students’ could practice creating their own references. As the teacher
understanding, and clarify misunderstandings before monitored students’ progress, she ensured they had
students embarked on guided practice. opportunities to seek feedback. The review lesson was
concluded by checking for understanding, again modelling
The plan built in time to closely monitor individual aspects of referencing as required, and asking her students
student performance in guided practice activities, and to to provide further examples necessary.
provide feedback. The plan noted possible support
strategies that may assist students. The model plan In the next History lesson students returned to the research
then progressed to whole group practice and individual project. They applied their knowledge from the review
practice, again with close performance monitoring. lesson, along with the skills they had worked on. The
teacher checked students’ progress as they worked in
Drawing on their learning from working together to class, making sure they recorded source information
fashion a model lesson plan, PLC members correctly.
constructed lesson plans appropriate to the year levels
they teach. Teachers collected student feedback about For this Year 8 class, explicit teaching was effective in
the lessons based on explicit teaching practice. At PLC scaffolding student learning, and ensuring all students had
meetings they discussed the feedback, which was very the skills necessary to complete the research project in line
positive. Students said they were able to focus on a with the learning goals and success criteria.
specific goal for the lesson, they felt assured they had
the knowledge and skills required to achieve the goal,
and they felt confident about independently completing
the task.
16
CONTINUUM OF PRACTICE
Teachers know what Teachers make the learning Teachers clearly explain the Students can articulate the
students should know and intentions clear before learning intentions and learning intentions and
be able to do by the end of students undertake the success criteria before success criteria.
the lesson. learning task. students undertake the
learning task. Teachers provide worked
Teachers explain new Teachers explain new examples and opportunities
knowledge and skills. knowledge and skills, and Teachers provide worked for guided practice. They
model how to apply them in examples and assess check for understanding
Teachers plan learning practice. student understanding before students engage in
activities that enable before students independent practice.
students to demonstrate Teachers plan learning independently practice their
their understanding. activities and assessment skills and demonstrate their Teachers closely monitor
tasks that enable students understanding. individual students’
to practise their skills and progress and offer targeted
demonstrate their Teachers monitor individual feedback as needed.
understanding. students and provide
feedback. Teachers conclude the
lesson by reinforcing the
main points to consolidate
the learning, and to support
students to apply their
learning in new contexts.
EVIDENCE BASE
Archer, A. L. & Hughes, C. A. (2011). Explicit Instruction: Effective and efficient teaching. New York, USA:
Guilford Press.
Evidence for Learning: Teaching and Learning Toolkit – Australia: http://evidenceforlearning.org.au/the-
toolkit/
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton
Park, UK: Routledge.
Liem, G. & Martin, A. (2013). ‘Direct instruction.’ In J. Hattie and E. Anderman (Eds.), International guide to
student achievement (pp. 354-356). New York, USA: Routledge.
Moss, C. and Brookhart, S. (2012). Learning targets: Helping students aim for understanding in today’s
lesson. Alexandria, USA: ASCD.
17
High Impact Teaching Strategy 4:
Worked Examples
Effective teachers use worked examples to reduce student cognitive load,
enabling them to focus on understanding a process which leads to an
answer, not the answer itself.
Considerations
THIS STRATEGY IS DEMONSTRATED WHEN
Using a series of worked examples can assist teachers STUDENTS:
to scaffold student knowledge and skill acquisition.
are engaged and on task because the worked
However, when progressively incorporating additional
example is pitched at the right level of challenge
stretch, each new example needs to be adequate to
understand that the focus is on understanding the
challenge the learner – not too great, not too little.
process required to complete the task
Formative assessment is used to monitor student
can move with confidence from using worked
understanding and target teaching to the appropriate
examples to independent practice.
level of challenge.
Teachers access Teachers identify worked Professional Learning Worked examples are used
professional learning to examples as a focus for Communities support deliberately and
build teacher knowledge learning and development in building knowledge and systematically, and
and skills in using worked Performance and skills in effectively using embedded in lesson and
examples. Development Plans. worked examples, as unit structures. They are
referenced in teachers’ used consistently across
Teachers sometimes use Teachers regularly use Performance and learning areas.
worked examples to worked examples to present Development Plans.
introduce new knowledge new knowledge and skills, As part of the school
and skills. and to scaffold student Teachers collaboratively improvement focus on
learning. develop and share worked evidence-based high impact
examples. They use them to teaching strategies, the
Teachers collaboratively scaffold student learning school monitors the use of
develop and share worked and to foster metacognition. worked examples, and
examples in Professional evaluates their
Learning Communities. Teachers analyse a range effectiveness in improving
They monitor the impact on of data, including student the quality of learning.
student learning outcomes feedback, to measure the
to evaluate their impact on student learning
effectiveness. and to evaluate the
effectiveness of worked
examples.
EVIDENCE BASE
Atkinson, R.K., Derry, S.J., Renkl, A. and Wortham, D.W. (2000). ‘Learning from examples: Instructional
principles from the worked examples research.’ Review of Educational Research, 70, 181-214.
Clark, R.C., Nguyen, F. and Sweller, J. (2006). Efficiency in learning: evidence-based guidelines to manage
cognitive load. San Francisco, USA: Pfeiffer.
Crissman, J. K. (2006). ‘The design and utilisation of effective worked examples: A meta-analysis.’ ETD
collection for University of Nebraska – Lincoln. AAI3208114.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI3208114
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton
Park, UK: Routledge.
Peddie, R., Hattie J. and Vaughan, K. (1999). The use of exemplars in outcome-based curricula: An
international review of the literature. Report to the Ministry of Education. Auckland, NZ: Auckland Uniservices
Ltd.
Sweller, J. (2006). ‘The worked example effect and human cognition.’ Learning and Instruction, 16(2),
165169.
High Impact Teaching Strategy 5:
Collaborative Learning
Effective teachers provide opportunities for students to participate in flexible
groups that collaborate on meaningful tasks, and respond to questions that
support achievement of learning goals.
During lessons, teachers Teachers work together in Teachers consistently Cooperative learning is
allow students to share and PLCs to build their structure learning around embedded in classroom
reflect on their ideas with knowledge of, and skills in, differentiated group tasks practice. Students
their peers. Occasionally, collaborative learning. that require students to understand the protocols for
teachers structure learning work collaboratively. working collaboratively and
activities in small groups. Teachers collaborate to they are skilled at providing
design group tasks that help Teachers support students considered feedback to
Teachers engage in students work and learn to provide feedback to each each other.
professional conversations together on specific learning other using feedback
to investigate the evidence goals. protocols. Students design challenging
base for collaborative and differentiated individual
learning and share Teachers collaboratively Teachers observe or group tasks to achieve
examples of their practice. develop and implement experienced colleagues, identified learning goals.
protocols for group work trial new strategies, and
that build student seek feedback to support Teachers collect data,
understanding of how changes to their practice. including feedback from
effective groups operate. students, to monitor and
evaluate the impact of
collaborative learning
strategies.
EVIDENCE BASE
Evidence for Learning: Teaching and Learning Toolkit – Australia: http://evidenceforlearning.org.au/the-toolkit/
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton Park, UK:
Routledge.
Kyndt, E., Raes, E., Lismont, B., Timmers, F., Cascallar, E. and Dochy, F. (2013). ‘A meta-analysis of the effects
of face-to-face cooperative learning: Do recent studies falsify or verify earlier findings?’ Educational Research
Review, 10, 133-149: doi:10.1016/j.edurev.2013.02.002
Gillies, R. M. & Boyle, M. (2010). ‘Teachers’ reflections on cooperative learning: Issues of implementation.’
Teaching and Teacher Education, 26(4), 933-940:
Greenwood, C. and Parket, R. (2013). ‘Academic benefits of peer tutoring: A meta-analytic review of single-case
research.’ School Psychology Review, 42(1), 39-55.
Igel, C. C. (2010). ‘The effect of cooperative learning instruction on K-12 student learning: A meta-analysis of
quantitative studies from 1998 to 2009.’ PhD thesis presented to the Faculty of the Curry School of Education,
University of Virginia (UMI No. AAT 3435906).
Nunnery, J. A., Chappell, S. and Arnold, P. (2013). ‘A meta-analysis of a cooperative learning models effects on
student achievement in mathematics.’ Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 8(1), 34-48.
High Impact Teaching Strategy 6:
Multiple Exposures
It takes ‘three or four experiences involving interaction with relevant
information for a new knowledge construct to be created in working memory
and then transferred to long-term memory’ (Nuthall, 2000, p.93).
The Humanities teachers of a secondary school in A VCE teacher in south-west Victoria planned structured
regional Victoria identified the need to actively and multiple exposures to strategically support knowledge
consistently address literacy skills as part of their acquisition, transfer and deep understanding. The VCE unit
everyday teaching. By building the core vocabulary of plan calendar was set up to ensure key knowledge areas
their students, they aimed to support them to engage were addressed over a series of lessons rather than a
more deeply with complex issues and ideas. Working single lesson, and that earlier Areas of Study were revisited
with a literacy coach, they planned and trialled a halfway through the year and again before the exam. When
yearlong intervention designed to expose students to relevant, the class discussed links between current and
carefully selected ‘target words’ linked with the learning previous topics.
area content. The intervention sought to reinforce the
use and meaning of target words via multiple exposures Students encountered and revisited content and skills on
over a period of time. multiple occasions and in different settings – initially
through pre-reading, then being explicitly taught the
Working in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), concepts in class, and by completing ‘Do Now’ activities
teachers reviewed the unit topics to identify a list of and exit slips that addressed content from previous and
content specific vocabulary all students need to current lessons. Additional reinforcement strategies
understand and be able to use. They then pre-tested included watching short, relevant video clips in their own
students to identify levels of understanding. The time, completing practice questions, receiving feedback on
teachers collaborated to design learning activities that practice questions, completing and receiving feedback on
incorporated multiple exposures in different contexts practice SACs, being taught active revision strategies, and
over the year. Their intent was to teach and reinforce ultimately completing and receiving feedback on the SACs.
specific vocabulary and support transfer of learning
across the planned units of work. Over the longer term, students completed Unit 3 practice
exams halfway through the year to revise content from
Students initially encountered the words when reading earlier in the year. They revisited the content prior to the
a text or watching a video. From the moment a new end-of-year exam.
word was introduced, students were exposed to it
repeatedly via ‘friendly descriptions’ of what the word Thanks to clear structuring of the units, spaced practice,
meant. Other strategies included using a vocabulary and multiple exposures to the content and vocabulary,
log, drawing a picture of the word, peer discussion on students deepened their understanding of the subject.
how and when to use the word, and consolidation They were able to draw links between classroom learning
activities at the end of each lesson. Over time, the use and everyday life. This ensured students were ready for
of the words was reinforced via ‘Do Now’ activities at their exams, and prepared both to apply their knowledge
the start of each lesson. These activities included and become active citizens.
games such as Pictionary, traffic light cups, homework
activities, self-assessment and vocabulary walls.
The PLC monitored the intervention’s implementation
and at the end of the year teachers measured the
impact of multiple exposures on student learning. The
initiative was particularly successful because at the end
of each unit students were able to track their progress
by comparing their pre-test scores to the final
vocabulary test scores.
CONTINUUM OF PRACTICE
The teacher uses repetition The teacher plans the use Across learning areas, Use of multiple exposures is
to review and reinforce new of repetition to review and teachers are skilled in deliberate, systematic and
learning, particularly when reinforce new concepts and planning and structuring embedded in lesson and
introducing new concepts skills, explicitly linking each multiple exposures. unit structures, and applied
and skills. exposure to the learning strategically to support
goals. Teachers collaboratively knowledge acquisition,
Professional learning plan and develop learning transfer of knowledge and
activities focus on building The teacher assesses and assessment activities deep understanding.
teachers’ understanding of student competence at each that incorporate multiple
evidence based high impact stage and provides timely exposures. An integrated, whole-school
teaching strategies. feedback to remediate approach to using high
student misunderstandings Teachers analyse a range impact teaching strategies
and/or mistakes. of data, including student is implemented, and regular
feedback, to measure the monitoring and evaluation
Teachers work in impact of multiple processes ensure teacher
Professional Learning exposures on student accountability.
Communities to develop learning and to evaluate
multiple exposures learning their effectiveness.
activities in different
contexts which support
transfer of learning.
EVIDENCE BASE
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton
Park, UK: Routledge.
Gardner, H. (1999). The disciplined mind: What all students should understand. New York, USA: Simon &
Schuster.
Lemov, D. (2015). Teach like a champion 2.0: 62 techniques that put students on the path to college. San
Francisco, USA: Jossey-Bass.
Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: A comprehensive framework for effective instruction.
Alexandria, USA: ASCD.
Nuthall, G.A. (2000). ‘The role of memory in the acquisition and retention of knowledge in science and social
studies units.’ Cognition and Instruction, 18(1), 83-139.
High Impact Teaching Strategy 7:
Questioning
Effective teachers regularly use questioning as an interactive means to engage
and challenge students, and use it as a tool to check student understanding and
evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching.
Over several meetings of their Professional Learning Year 9 and 10 History teachers at a recently opened
Community (PLC), a group of primary school science school in a suburban growth corridor expressed their
teachers discussed alternative approaches to fostering concern that many students in their classes were making
more active student participation in science lessons. After limited progress. In a regular PLC meeting, they analysed
referring to the evidence base, they concluded strategic assessment data for Years 9 and 10 students and were
use of questioning held particular benefits. They agreed struck by the consistent absence of higher order thinking
to collaborate on selecting productive questioning skills. This led PLC members to consider how they could
strategies and building their knowledge and skills in using use higher order questioning to encourage deeper
them. learning. They agreed to research and trial effective
questioning techniques that would promote high order
To create a learning environment where students were thinking and ensure all students felt engaged, challenged
confident to make contributions, their first step was to and extended.
write agreed protocols that emphasised the importance of
trust and respect among students. The teachers then To encourage deeper student learning, the teachers
decided to concentrate on three aspects of questioning agreed to structure their lessons around strategic use of
practice: asking open-ended questions, using wait time, effective questions, particularly at higher cognitive levels.
and supporting students to question each other. They
backed up these priorities with jointly composed Two PLC members, responsible for teaching a Year 9
classroom norms, including a strict five seconds wait time History unit, designed questions for every class that
after either the teacher or students posed questions. asked for evidence and/or clarification. In addition, they
framed different kinds of questions for selected topics,
A more challenging norm to embed was an expectation including linking or extension questions, hypothetical
that all students would be ‘active sceptics’. They made questions, cause and effect questions, and summary and
this tangible by designing tasks with many possible synthesis questions.
solutions. One student would present their favoured
solution to the class. The whole class would be invited to They devoted attention to establishing explicit links to the
offer a view on that solution. Those who offered a view learning goal of developing deeper understanding of the
different to the presenter would be required to formulate a lesson content. During Terms two and three, they
follow-up question to put to the presenter. provided explicit instruction in various types of questions
and their uses, modelled effective questioning, and
To support implementation of the intervention, the PLC encouraged students to ask questions of themselves.
members agreed that every lesson would incorporate
time for open-ended questions that generated discussion. Their lesson plans incorporated learning activities that
They also agreed to schedule regular peer observations revolved around peer questioning, reciprocal teaching
focused on question quality and student responses. and student self-questioning. These approaches served
to engage students in discussion, continuously extend
The shared goal was increased student participation. their thinking and refine their understanding. The Year 9
With that in mind, PLC members monitored and teachers provided explicit instruction in each strategy,
evaluated the effect of wait time by observing its impact modelled its use, allowed students time for practice,
on the receiver of a question, and the extent to which wait provided feedback, and structured opportunities for
time encouraged deeper thinking. They used peer students to give feedback to one another.
observation to build a shared bank of practices that
cultivate students’ skills in framing open-ended questions The teachers monitored implementation of changes to
so they could better question each other. their practice. They and other PLC members undertook
peer observations which enabled sharing and debriefing
Data collected from peer observation indicated greater about how well questioning techniques were supporting
teacher attention to quality, open-ended discussion from deeper learning. The Year 9 teachers regularly sought
which questions emerged, as well as increased depth of student feedback and were confident that by the end of
student articulation. They found that when their protocols Term 3 their students were more engaged, motivated and
were consistently implemented, over time there was more independent learners. Their confidence was reinforced
student-led discussion. This effectively reduced the when they analysed student achievement data in Term 4
amount of teacher talk time in science lessons. to evaluate the impact of the changes to their practice.
CONTINUUM OF PRACTICE
Teachers use questioning to Teachers work in teams to Teachers work in Teachers are highly skilled
identify prior learning and develop their questioning Professional Learning at using questioning for a
gauge levels of skills, including open and Communities to collectively variety of purposes,
understanding. closed questions, probing build and refine their including informal and
questions and using ‘wait capability to deploy a range formal assessment.
Teachers provide positive time’. of question types
feedback on responses to appropriate to the learning Teachers support students
encourage student Teachers provide goals. to think critically by
participation and to engage appropriate feedback and developing questions,
students in higher order support students to Teachers consistently posing problems and
thinking and learning. generate questions that implement and reinforce reflecting on multiple
lead them to further inquiry. agreed classroom protocols perspectives. They foster
to build a respectful, trusting deep thinking, and facilitate
Teachers collaboratively learning environment in discussion to engage all
develop and implement which students feel students in learning.
protocols to build a confident to contribute.
respectful, trusting learning Teachers use a range of
environment in which Teachers use peer data, including student
students feel confident to observation to share and feedback and peer
contribute. debrief about how well they observation, to monitor and
are asking questions to gain evaluate the effectiveness
Teachers monitor student evidence of student of their questioning skills.
participation and learning learning, to encourage
progress to self-assess the thoughtful and considered
effectiveness of their responses, and to facilitate
questioning skills. discussion.
EVIDENCE BASE
Craig, S., Sullins, J., Witherspoon, A. and Gholson, B. (2006). ‘The deep-level-reasoning-question effect: The role
of dialogue and deep-level-reasoning questions during vicarious learning.’ Cognition and Instruction, 24(4).
Craig, S. (2013). ‘Questioning,’ in Hattie, J. and Anderman, E. (Eds) (2013). International Guide to Student
Achievement. New York, USA: Routledge.
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton Park,
UK: Routledge.
Kyriakides, L., Christoforou, C. and Charalambous, C. (2013). ‘What matters for student learning outcomes: A
meta-analysis of studies exploring factors of effective teaching.’ Teaching and Teacher Education, 36, 143-52.
Lemov, D. (2015). Teach like a champion 2.0: 62 techniques that put students on the path to college. San
Francisco, USA: Jossey-Bass.
Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: A comprehensive framework for effective instruction.
Alexandria, USA: ASCD.
Muijs, D., Kyriakides, L., van der Werf, G., Creemers, B., Timperley, H., & Earl, L. (2014) State of the art – teacher
effectiveness and professional learning School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 25(2), 231–256.
High Impact Teaching Strategy 8:
Feedback
Effective teachers use two-way feedback to gather information about a students’
understanding, to assist students to advance their own learning, and to verify the
impact of their own practice.
STRATEGY OVERVIEW Signature characteristics of positive feedback are that it:
provides detail, such as ‘You achieved a good outcome
Hattie (2009) found an effect size of 0.73 for
because you...,’ rather than just ‘correct’ or ‘incorrect’
feedback.
compares what a student is doing now with previous
What is it? work, such as, ‘I can see you focused on improving X –
the result is much better than when you did Y last time’
Feedback informs a student and/or teacher about the
provides specific guidance on how to improve, and not
student’s performance relative to learning goals. Its
just telling students when they are wrong
purpose is to improve the student’s learning. Feedback
is framed to encourage and support further effort
redirects or refocuses the actions of teacher and student
is given sparingly so that it is meaningful
so the student can align effort and activity with a clear
is supported by effective professional development for
outcome that leads to achieving a learning goal.
teachers.
Both teachers and peers can provide formal or informal
THIS STRATEGY IS DEMONSTRATED WHEN THE
feedback. It can be oral or written, formative or summative.
TEACHER:
Whatever its form, it always comprises specific advice a
student can use to improve their performance. provides feedback on tasks that challenges students to
review, reflect on and refine their understandings at
Hattie underlines feedback’s two-way benefits. Teachers various points in a learning sequence
learn about how their practice influences student learning. gives timely feedback, acknowledging areas
When teachers use feedback to guide their practice, then well-handled and suggesting areas for improvement
they amplify their impact on student learning. structures feedback to support further learning
How effective is it? organises a variety of audiences to provide feedback
uses student assessment data as a source of feedback
Research shows appropriate feedback has very high on the effectiveness of their teaching practice.
effects on learning. Its effectiveness is evident for students
and teachers (Education Endowment Foundation, 2015). THIS STRATEGY IS NOT DEMONSTRATED WHEN
THE TEACHER:
Studies with the highest effect sizes involved students provides feedback that is about the person (such as,
receiving feedback about a task and how to do it more ‘you are my best student’) or vague (such as, ‘good
effectively. Feedback in the form of praise, punishment and job’)
rewards has lower effect sizes (Hattie & Timperley, 2007). only provides feedback about students’ performance in
There is evidence that feedback is more effective if it formal, summative assessment situations, without the
focuses on the task, not the person, and that feedback on opportunity for students to refine and develop
familiar tasks has more impact (Kluger & DeNisi, 1996). understandings on the basis of instructive feedback.
CONTINUUM OF PRACTICE
Teachers provide students To progress learning, All teachers use formative A range of comprehensive
with feedback on strengths teachers provide students and summative assessment assessment data provides
and areas for improvement. with targeted feedback strategies, and provide the basis for regular
based on informed and students with timely feedback to students and
timely judgements of each feedback that supports parents.
student’s achievement, individualised learning.
relative to their learning Teachers strategically
goals and their needs. Teachers use assessment gather and analyse
data as a source of assessment data to reflect
feedback on their teaching on their practice. Student
practice, implementing feedback is actively used to
changes and interventions inform teaching.
where and when required.
EVIDENCE BASE
Evidence for Learning: Teaching and Learning Toolkit – Australia: http://evidenceforlearning.org.au/the-toolkit/
Bangert-Drowns, R. L., Kulik, C. L. C., Kulik, J. A. & Morgan, M. (1991). ‘The instructional effect of feedback in
test-like events.’ Review of Educational Research, 61(2), 213-238: http://dx.doi.org/10.3102/00346543061002213
Bennett, R.E. (2011). ‘Formative assessment: A critical review.’ Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy &
Practice, 18(1), 5-25.
Black, P. & Wiliam, D. (2005). ‘Lessons from around the world: how policies, politics and cultures constrain and
afford assessment practices.’ Curriculum Journal, 16, 249-261: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09585170500136218
Black, P. & Wiliam, D. (2009). ‘Developing the theory of formative assessment.’ Educational Assessment,
Evaluation and Accountability, 21(1), 5-31: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11092-008-9068-5
Dinham, S. (2008). ‘Feedback on Feedback’, The National Education Magazine, 20(23).
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton Park,
UK: Routledge.
Kluger, A.N. & DeNisi, A. (1996). ‘The effects of feedback interventions on performance: A historical review, a
meta-analysis and a preliminary feedback intervention theory.’ Psychological Bulletin, 119, 254-284.
Lemov, D. (2015). Teach like a champion 2.0: 62 techniques that put students on the path to college. San
Francisco, USA: Jossey-Bass.
Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: a comprehensive framework for effective instruction.
Alexandria, USA: ASCD.
Wiliam, D. (2011). Embedded formative assessment. Melbourne, Australia: Hawker Brownlow.
High Impact Teaching Strategy 9:
Metacognitive Strategies
Effective teachers use metacognitive strategies to help students develop
awareness of their own learning, to self-regulate, and to drive and sustain their
motivation to learn
EVIDENCE BASE
Evidence for Learning: Teaching and Learning Toolkit – Australia: http://evidenceforlearning.org.au/the-toolkit/
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton Park, UK:
Routledge.
Lemov, D. (2015). Teach like a champion 2.0: 62 techniques that put students on the path to college. San
Francisco, USA: Jossey-Bass.
Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: a comprehensive framework for effective instruction.
Alexandria, USA: ASCD.
Abrami, P.C., Bernard, R.M., Borokhovski, E., Wade, A., Surkes, M.A., Tamim, R. and Zhang, D. (2008).
‘Instructional interventions affecting critical thinking skills and dispositions: A stage 1 meta-analysis.’ Review of
Educational Research, 78(4), 1102-1134.
Chiu, C.W.T. (1998). ‘Synthesizing metacognitive interventions: What training characteristics can improve reading
performance?’ Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San
Diego, USA, April 13-17, 1998. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED420844.pdf
High Impact Teaching Strategy 10:
Differentiated Teaching
Effective teachers use evidence of student learning readiness, learning progress,
and knowledge of individual student learning profiles, to make adjustments for
individuals so all students experience challenge, success and improved learning.
Differentiated teaching strategies, consistently applied, THIS STRATEGY IS NOT DEMONSTRATED WHEN
offer foundations on which all students can build THE TEACHER:
meaningful learning. sets the same work for all students
provides little variation in teaching strategies,
Response to Intervention (RTI) combines highly tailored resources and group composition
differentiation with evidence-based interventions which are assesses all student work against general criteria
monitored constantly (RTI is also known as Multi-Tier applies differentiated teaching strategies only for
System of Supports). gifted students
Research shows a remarkable effect size of 1.07 for RTI. establishes consistently inflexible groupings.
CONTINUUM OF PRACTICE
Teachers use Teachers use a range Student assessment data is After effectively diagnosing
assessment of assessment analysed and findings explicitly individual students’ abilities,
strategies to identify activities to identify inform curriculum planning and teachers select and explicitly teach
what students know, prior learning, and to teaching practice. using tailored, appropriately
and to monitor diagnose student challenging strategies.
learning. learning needs. Teachers use data to determine
the targeted interventions Teachers contribute to the ongoing
Teachers use a Teachers modify and required for individual students. development of whole-school
variety of teaching diversify their assessment policies and strategies,
strategies to instructional delivery Teachers ‘teach-up’ – that is, which support teachers to build their
accommodate the and behaviour they teach high quality, rich capability to use a range of
range of abilities and management to meet curriculum to all students and assessment data to diagnose
interests. the different needs of scaffold learning so students students’ learning needs and inform
students. achieve high level goals, rather planning for student learning.
than teach ‘down’ to students
they perceive as having less Differentiation is central to planning
ability. and delivery in all lessons.
EVIDENCE BASE
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Milton Park,
UK: Routledge.
Hattie, J. (2012). Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximising Impact on Learning. Milton Park, UK: Routledge.
Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: a comprehensive framework for effective instruction.
Alexandria, USA: ASCD.
Pirozzo, R. (2014). Differentiating the Curriculum: Supporting teachers to thrive in mixed ability classrooms.
Melbourne, Australia: Hawker Brownlow.
Shaddock, A., Packer, S. and Roy, A. (2015). Schools for all children and young people: Report of the expert
panel on students with complex needs and challenging behavior. Australian Capital Territory Government,
Canberra: Australia.
Tomlinson, C. (2014), The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners. Alexandria, USA:
ASCD.
Wiliam, D. (2011). Embedded Formative Assessment. Hawker Brownlow, Melbourne: Australia.