Description
Book SynopsisTeachers are bombarded with advice about how to teach. The Fundamentals of Teaching cuts through the confusion by synthesising the key findings from education research and neuroscience to give an authoritative guide. It reveals how learning happens, which methods work best and how to improve any students' learning.
Using a tried-and-tested, Five-Step model for applying the methods effectively in the classroom, Mike Bell shows how you can improve learning and eliminate time-consuming, low-effect practices that increase stress and workload. He includes case studies from teachers working across different subjects and age groups which model practical strategies for:
- Prior Knowledge
- Presenting new material
- Setting challenging tasks
- Feedback and improvement
- Repetition and consolidation.
This powerful resource is highly recommended for all teachers,
Trade Review
"Mike Bell is well known for setting up the Evidence Based Teaching Network, and for explaining succinctly and clearly what works best in education according to summaries of rigorous research. Your students will benefit from these highly effective methods." - Geoff Petty, Author of ‘Evidence Based Teaching’.
"We do not want evidence – we want good evidence, evidence that we can interpret to make a difference in the school and class, and we want big picture thinking based on these interpretations of this evidence. Mike Bell does all this by using Visible Learning and four other sources to give us confidence that when we apply evidence in the classroom, learning will improve." - John Hattie, Author of ‘Visible Learning’.
"I was delighted to see that the book does not just focus on what’s worked in research studies but gives practical advice on what might be less effective and where stopping or cutting back might leave some space for more effective methods. The book provides a summary of research-based practices from different sources, including our Teaching and Learning Toolkit, then also provides an explanation from cognitive science about learning which helps to explain why these practices might be effective, so helping to explain the underlying rationale." - Steve Higgins, Education Endowment Foundation.
"Mike has run several sessions for us. We have asked him back because teachers found his presentation of the evidence convincing, the methods suggested practical and the brain-based explanations helpful." - Marie-Dominique Reza, Vice principal, DLD College, London.
"Mike ran a session with our teaching team, focusing on effective teaching methods, arranged as five steps. Our staff found it very practical and easy to follow. They were immediately able to apply the learning, and we are continuing to implement the methods." - Janet Robinson, Director of Performance, Borders College, Galashiels.
"The combination of succinct explanations of research evidence from the learning sciences, practical suggestions for the classroom that are supported by illustrative case studies, and a discussion around the effective use of resources, make this book a great companion for teachers at all stages of their careers." - Lisa-Maria Müller, Education Research Manager, Chartered College of Teaching.
"As well as putting so many ideas in one place, this book also pulls off the clever trick of feeling timeless and contemporary all at once. It’s going to last!" - Tom Sherrington
"This reader-friendly text introduces evidence-based teaching in a way which is accessible to higher education students and current practitioners alike. It bridges the theory/practice gap in its pragmatic approach to quite complex concepts, exemplifying them through everyday classroom situations. It will certainly have a place on my undergraduate reading lists." - Hannah Valenzuela, Senior Lecturer in Education Studies, University of Derby.
"Mike Bell is well known for setting up the Evidence Based Teaching Network, and for explaining succinctly and clearly what works best in education according to summaries of rigorous research. Your students will benefit from these highly effective methods." - Geoff Petty, Author of ‘Evidence Based Teaching’.
"We do not want evidence – we want good evidence, evidence that we can interpret to make a difference in the school and class, and we want big picture thinking based on these interpretations of this evidence. Mike Bell does all this by using Visible Learning and four other sources to give us confidence that when we apply evidence in the classroom, learning will improve." - John Hattie, Author of ‘Visible Learning’.
"I was delighted to see that the book does not just focus on what’s worked in research studies but gives practical advice on what might be less effective and where stopping or cutting back might leave some space for more effective methods. The book provides a summary of research-based practices from different sources, including our Teaching and Learning Toolkit, then also provides an explanation from cognitive science about learning which helps to explain why these practices might be effective, so helping to explain the underlying rationale." - Steve Higgins, Education Endowment Foundation.
"Mike has run several sessions for us. We have asked him back because teachers found his presentation of the evidence convincing, the methods suggested practical and the brain-based explanations helpful." - Marie-Dominique Reza, Vice principal, DLD College, London.
"Mike ran a session with our teaching team, focusing on effective teaching methods, arranged as five steps. Our staff found it very practical and easy to follow. They were immediately able to apply the learning, and we are continuing to implement the methods." - Janet Robertson, Director of Business Improvement and Performance, Borders College, Galashiels.
"The combination of succinct explanations of research evidence from the learning sciences, practical suggestions for the classroom that are supported by illustrative case studies, and a discussion around the effective use of resources, make this book a great companion for teachers at all stages of their careers." - Lisa-Maria Müller, Education Research Manager, Chartered College of Teaching.
"As well as putting so many ideas in one place, this book also pulls off the clever trick of feeling timeless and contemporary all at once. It’s going to last!" - Tom Sherrington
"This reader-friendly text introduces evidence-based teaching in a way which is accessible to higher education students and current practitioners alike. It bridges the theory/practice gap in its pragmatic approach to quite complex concepts, exemplifying them through everyday classroom situations. It will certainly have a place on my undergraduate reading lists." - Hannah Valenzuela, Senior Lecturer in Education Studies, University of Derby.
"The Fundamentals of Teaching is an accessible and easily digested text that is perfect for time-pressed teachers and school leaders.
As an introduction to evidence-based teaching, this practical guide is a compact but valuable tool, and the suggestions for further reading located at the end of each chapter provide helpful guidance for those looking to read more deeply into the different areas that Bell covers." - Victoria Addis, TES
"The Fundamentals of Teaching fills a gap in current research by reaching directly to preservice teachers, those who work with them, and current practitioners, offering evidence-informed methods to improve learning for all students. This book situates itself in the present moment of political and social pressure by supporting teachers in expecting and demanding evidence for the programs, policies, and methods used with students. Bell’s book will be an excellent addition to teacher education courses and practitioners looking for what to try next." - Kate Bentley, Teachers College Record
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction: The Fundamentals of Teaching
Section 1: Evidence
Chapter 1: Getting reliable evidence
Chapter 2: Sources of evidence
Chapter3: Brain-based explanation
Section 2: Effective classroom practice
Introduction
Chapter 4: Prior Knowledge
Chapter 5: Presenting new material.
Method 1: Working Memory limit
Method 2: Linking to Prior Knowledge
Method 3: Multi-sensory approach
Method 4: Advance Organisers
Method 5: Linking abstract ideas to concrete analogies
Chapter 6: Setting challenging tasks
Method 1: Modelling and Worked Examples
Method 2: Graphical and Non-linguistic methods
Method 3: Metacognition
Method 4: Collaborative methods
Method 5: Thinking tasks
Chapter 7: Feedback for improvement
Chapter 8: Repetition and consolidation
Section 3: Using resources effectively
Introduction
Chapter 9: Using resources effectively
Sources of evidence
Answers to quizzes in Section 2
