A Mixture of Teacher-directed and Student-directed Learning is an Effective Tool
Best Practice includes developmentally appropriate learning activities that encourage a mixture of teacher-directed and child-directed activities. Teacher-directed learning involves the teacher as a facilitator who models learning strategies and gives guided instruction. Child-directed learning allows the child to assume some responsibility for learning goals. In our preschool classroom it has become an effective tool for learning when using the student’s ideas to direct the activities.
Issues this Best Practice Addresses:
The issue being addressed is the students not being fully engaged or losing interest in activities/learning that the teacher has tried to create. When the students take interest in a hands on/real world activity with wonder and question it is best practice to teach the children to learn from their questions. Experimenting with the knowledge they have and growing their interest is the perfect opportunity for students to direct their learning.
Major Challenges to Implementation:
A challenge to implementing the perfect mixture of teacher-directed and child-directed activities is having the tools at hand that the children need in the “moment” to continue effective learning. If the students go in a direction that was not planned and you do not have the materials they need “bringing it tomorrow” may be too late. The teacher must effectively continue the learning environment.
Benefits Derived from Implementing this Best Practice:
The benefit of allowing children to direct their learning is that they take ownership of what they have studied. The hands on experiences to their wondering questions allow them to be fully engaged and retain the knowledge and experience longer. They are able to share the new information for better retention.
Evidence Illustrating Success:
The evidence I can provide to best illustrate this success is sharing the learning that has been created in our classroom through child-directed activities. Students are engaged and sharing new knowledge with teachers and parents. Their achievements will be displayed through photos and art work. Success is evident when you walk in the classroom.
Additional Materials:
Submitted by: Carrieann Churchill, Huffer Memorial Children’s Center