Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works January 2011

What is “Classroom Instruction That Works”? Classroom Instruction That Works - Research- based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement Written by: Robert J. Marzano, Debra J. Pickering, Jane E. Pollock Published 2001

Meta-analysis: combines the results from a number of studies to determine the average effect of a given technique. When conducting a meta-analysis, a researcher translates the results of a given study into a unit of measurement referred to as an effect size.

One of the primary goals of the McREL study was to identify instructional strategies that have a high probability of enhancing study achievement for all students in all subject areas at all grade levels.

How does the use of technology play a role in the use of these strategies?

A supporting book was published: Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works Written by: Howard Pitler, Elizabeth R. Hubbell, Matt Kuhn, Kim Malenoski Published 2007

Name That Strategy:

Identifying Similarities and Differences Ave. Effect Size (ES)Percentile GainNo. of ESsStandard Deviation (SD)

Identifying Similarities and Differences Generalizations: Presenting students with explicit guidance in identifying similarities and differences enhances their understanding of and ability to use knowledge Asking students to independently identify similarities and differences enhances their understanding of and ability to use knowledge Representing similarities and differences in graphic or symbolic form enhances students’ understanding of and ability to use knowledge Identification of similarities and differences can be accomplished in a variety of ways and is a highly robust activity

Identifying Similarities and Differences Recommendations: Teach students to use comparing, classifying, metaphors, and analogies when they identify similarities and differences Give students a model of the steps for engaging in the process Use a familiar context to teach students these steps Have students use graphic organizers as a visual tool to represent the similarities and differences Guide students as they engage in this process. Gradually give less structure and less guidance

Name That Strategy:

Summarizing and Note Taking Ave. Effect Size (ES)Percentile GainNo. of ESsStandard Deviation (SD)

Summarizing and Note Taking Generalizations: To effectively summarize, students must delete some information, substitute some information, and keep some information Verbatim note taking is perhaps the least effective way to take notes Notes should be considered a work in progress Notes should be used as study guides for tests

Summarizing and Note Taking Recommendations for Summarizing: Teach students the rule-based summarizing strategy Teach students a variety of note-taking formats Give students teacher-prepared notes

Name That Strategy:

Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition Ave. Effect Size (ES)Percentile GainNo. of ESsStandard Deviation (SD)

Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition Generalizations: Not all students realize the importance of believing in effort Reward is most effective when it is contingent on the attainment of some standard of performance Abstract symbolic recognition (e.g., praise) is more effective than tangible rewards (e.g., candy, money)

Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition Recommendations: Explicitly teach students about the importance of effort Have students keep track of their effort and achievement Personalize recognition Use the Pause, Prompt, and Praise strategy Use concrete symbols of recognition

Name that Strategy:

Homework and Practice Ave. Effect Size (ES)Percentile GainNo. of ESsStandard Deviation (SD)

Homework and Practice Generalizations: The amount of homework assigned to students should be different from elementary to high school Parental involvement in doing homework should be kept to a minimum The purpose of homework should be identified and articulated If homework is assigned, it should be commented upon Mastering a skill or process requires a fair amount of focused practice

Homework and Practice Recommendations: Establish and communicate a homework policy Design homework assignments that clearly articulate purpose and outcome Vary approaches to providing feedback

Name That Strategy:

Nonlinguistic Representations Ave. Effect Size (ES)Percentile GainNo. of ESsStandard Deviation (SD)

Nonlinguistic Representation Generalizations: A variety of activities produce nonlinguistic representation The purpose of nonlinguistic representation is to elaborate on knowledge

Nonlinguistic Representation Recommendations: Use graphic organizers to represent knowledge Have students create physical models of the knowledge Have students generate mental pictures of the knowledge they are learning Use pictures or pictographs to represent knowledge Have students engage in kinesthetic activities representing the knowledge

Name That Strategy:

Cooperative Learning Ave. Effect Size (ES)Percentile GainNo. of ESsStandard Deviation (SD)

Cooperative Learning Generalizations: Organizing groups based on ability levels should be done sparingly Cooperative learning groups should be rather small in size Cooperative learning should be used consistently and systematically but should not be overused

Cooperative Learning Recommendations: Use a variety of criteria to group students Use informal, formal, and base groups Keep the groups to a manageable size Combine cooperative learning with other classroom structures

Name That Strategy:

Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback Ave. Effect Size (ES)Percentile GainNo. of ESsStandard Deviation (SD)

Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback Generalizations: Setting instructional goals narrows what students focus on, but not too specific Feedback should be “corrective” in nature and timely Students can effectively provide some of their own feedback

Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback Recommendations for Setting Objectives: Set learning objectives that are specific but flexible Communicate the learning objectives or goals to students and parents Focus feedback on specific types of knowledge Use student-led feedback

Name That Strategy:

Generating and Testing Hypotheses Ave. Effect Size (ES)Percentile GainNo. of ESsStandard Deviation (SD)

Generating and Testing Hypothesis Generalizations: The generating and testing of hypothesis can be approached as an inductive or deductive manner Teachers should ask students to clearly explain their hypotheses and their conclusions

Generating and Testing Hypotheses Recommendations: Make sure students can explain their hypotheses and conclusions Use a variety of structured tasks to guide students through generating and testing hypotheses

Name that Strategy:

Questions, Cues, and Advance Organizers Ave. Effect Size (ES)Percentile GainNo. of ESsStandard Deviation (SD).59221,251.26

Questions, Cues, and Advance Organizers Generalizations: Questions, Cues, and Advance Organizers should focus on what is important rather than what is unusual “Higher-level” questions and advance organizers produce deeper learning than “lower-level” questions and advance organizers Difference types of advance organizers produce different results

Questions, Cues, and Advance Organizers Recommendations: Teach students skimming as a form of advance organizer Ask questions that elicit inferences Ask analytic questions