This is the first of 4 parts of Domain 4 Teaching For Effective learning which we use in South Australia as our education framework. it works on connecting with prior learning.

1. Teaching for
effective learning
4.1 Build on learners’
understandings

2. sally07 2

3. Seek out what the students already know
 Do they discuss and
brainstorm ideas?
 Do you have a way of
recording these inputs?
 Are the practices culturally
inclusive?
 How do you get them to
actively share their ideas?
sally07 3

4. Discuss why they need to know new topic
 What real world examples can
they find?
 What virtual world examples
do they know?
 What will they be able to
achieve if they know this?
 What are the consequences of
not knowing?
sally07 4

5. Map the shared learning journey
 Use mind maps and concept
webs.
 Use Twiducate and Edmodo to
get feedback.
 Use Lotus Diagrams and
graphic organisers.
 KWS: What I Know, Want to
learn and possible Sources.
sally07 5

6. Pose guiding questions
 Challenge their avenues of
information.
 Listen to responses and direct
them onto new ground.
 Ask why they are thinking
that.
 Give them a problem solving
approach.
sally07 6

7. Identify basic misunderstandings
 Have plenty of examples to
clarify.
 Ask others to set the picture
straight.
 Show how search
engines/translators can be
faulty.
 Ask about interpretations and
what something could and
might mean.
sally07 7

8. Find hooks to create student interest
 Use 2-3 min videos.
 A picture speaks a thousand
words.
 Ask questions which create
intrigue .
 Create a strong narrative.
sally07 8

9. Link new meanings to what they already know
 Do they reflect on how they
are better for this knowledge?
 Do they know how to share
their ideas with others?
 Can they see how they now
know more?
 Do they compare new work
with old work?
sally07 9

10. Challenge them to question what they don’t know
 Can they identify context and
cultural bias?
 Do they know how to agree to
disagree?
 Can they see how it connects
with them and their life?
 Do they know how to
overcome learning blocks?
sally07 10

11. Use visual literacy to increase understanding
 Get them to create a graphic of
what they are learning.
 Use captioned videos.
 Have a good supply of
infographics.
 Have some powerful images to
support your lessons.
sally07 11

12. Teach them to reflect
 Use Twiducate or Edmodo to
allow them to reflect .
 Build in reflection as a normal
part of any assignment.
 Get them to practise the art of
noticing when then learn.
 Get them to teach someone
who doesn’t know what they
now know.
sally07 12

13. Encourage different avenues of self expression
 Get them to connect globally.
 Allow them to draw or create
artistic responses.
 Where can they publish what
they know and how they know
it.
 Use podcasts, video makers,
slide presentations...
sally07 13

14. Design learning challenges
 Chunk the work and build in the
learning challenges at each step.
 Scaffold the harder things.
 Create a learning event.
 Show examples all along the
way.
 Let them contribute to
challenges.
sally07 14

15. Develop ongoing exploration of understanding
 Create rituals for learning.
 Find places they can safely
share online.
 Use peer education.
 Remind them of what they
learnt previously.
 Link old knowledge into the
new knowledge.
sally07 15

16. @sally07 16