Product Description

Evidence Based Teaching presents a coherent, evidence based view of teaching and learning and presents some radical new methods that are known to greatly improve achievement. Evidence Based Teaching will help practically demonstrate how we should teach from the following sources: 1. School effectiveness and school improvement research 2. Best practice in University teaching 3. Best practice in FE teaching 4. Effect size studies carried out mainly in schools 5. Teaching Thinking skills 6. Multiple representations 7. Constructivism. Together these strategies, ideas and advice provide us with both general principles for teaching, and very specific methods, all of which can substantially improve teaching and few of which are in common use.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #158550 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 382 pages

From the Inside Flap
Teaching is about to embark on a revolution and, like medicine, abandon custom and practice, and fashions and fads to become evidence-based. Half a million experiments in real classrooms have uncovered the teaching methods that work best. These can improve students’ attainment by two grades compared with conventional practice. Over 50 of these top teaching methods are examined in this book and these methods, some old, some new:
* can each raise pass rates by 20 per cent to 30 per cent.
* are creative, challenging, and greatly enjoyed by students.
* require the learner to do more in class …. and the teacher less!
* equip students for progression, by ‘teaching intelligence’.
Petty argues that only teachers can lead the evidence-based revolution, and they must do so at their own pace, using as a guide the ultimate evidence – what works best in their own classrooms.
Teachers have as much to gain as students in meeting this professional challenge. The methods make teaching less draining and more interesting, as well as more effective.
This book is a road map into this exciting new territory.

About the Author
Geoff Petty has a reputation for explaining learning and teaching issues in a down-to-earth, but lively and inspiring way. His book Teaching Today is the best-selling initial teacher training text in the UK, and this book is its sequel. He has worked as a consultant with over 100 Colleges and schools, and with all the major national education bodies including the DfES. He speaks on learning and teaching issues all over the country and abroad, and has worked as a Visiting Examiner for the Institute of Education.You can find extra chapters for Evidence-Based Teaching there, as well as other helpful information on learning and teaching methods.

Customer Reviews

Inspiring and insightful
I used this text to support a continuing professional development course in active learning that I taught to practicing teachers. The focus on an evidence-based approach was very effective in convincing the class that these methods can be applied in a manner that promotes greater student achievement, holistic development and an engaging, rewarding challenge to the teachers themselves.

There is a wealth of useful information condensed in this book with an immediate examination of the methodologies that are shown to have the greatest positive impact on teaching and learning. This encourages experimentation from the beginning and several of my students took to "Assessment for Learning" with a passion. In fact, formative assessment is examined throughout the text.

The structure of learning is thoroughly examined with context provided by a useful summary of the SOLO taxonomy. This emphasis on structure is continued throughout the text and on completion of our course most teachers had gained considerable insight into the epistemology of their subjects in a way that allowed them to encourage critical thinking skills in their students.

There are chapters on teaching "thinking skills" that should be read by anyone engaged in teaching as they are very thought provoking and provide practical advice as to how to add these skills to typical classes. The book is supported by an excellent website that provides additional information and useful handouts.

I have no hesitation in recommending this book as a thought provoking text. It is unfortunate that there are some editing errors that can irritate, and poor organisation in places - don't get frustrated though; I am convinced that careful reading of this book will add a richness to your teaching.

essential for teachers
If you only buy one book about teaching - get this one.

Teachers are bombarded with books about teaching which claim success for the authors pet ideas. Rarely is any proper evidence offered.
This book is quite different. It simply looks at all the research evidence available and gives practical ways to implement best practice.

Petty has deep insight into the way children learn and has distilled key ideas and general principles.

He recognises that teachers do not improve by simply repeating other people's good ideas. He recommends (and gives evidence to back it up) that schools develop a culture of teachers discussing learning, trying out different ideas and sharing best practice. It is this dynamic which creates excellent schools - not the implementation of the latest government edict.

Delighted
I have found this book invaluable (along with Petty's previous book 'Teaching Today') in providing me with numerous ideas for active teaching. The ideas can be adapted for almost any subject and mean delivering sessions is now so much more enjoyable. The research findings behind these ideas makes so much sense and has completely changed my approach to teaching. Geoff Petty's website is worth a visit for additional information and video lectures.