Recent international reports (PISA) have reflected the United States’ mediocre rank in education. Currently, United States’ students score about average (among industrialized nations) in Reading and Science and below average in Math. When considering what is often considered a failing or inadequate pubic school system, it is important to consider what – in our opinion – makes education effective. We will return to this question throughout the semester. Here is the list that was generated in class on February 2nd.
| Effective Teaching | Ineffective Teaching |
| constant practicing hands on learning showing, not telling rewarding good work individualized attention constant feedback consistent with rules keep students motivated acknowledgment of effort/performance comfortable learning environement different methods of teaching explaining expectations sense of responsibility among students understanding diversity of students (SES, learning style) open door policy for parents parental involvement caring about students |
lack of communication instilling fear straying from topics lack of interest being unprepared sarcasm too much emphasis on final exam poor class management students not knowing basics predetermined expectations lack of professionalism insulting students not connecting with students not emphasizing core concepts isolation of “bad” students favoritism lack of accountability (for teachers and students and parents) |
