Research Informed Teaching of Adults

Research Informed Teaching of Adults: A worthy alternative to old habits and hearsay? John Benseman

Teachers teach the way they were taught. "If it worked for me it must be ok."

Argues the case for research informed teaching.

"Research informed teaching is based on teachers' systematic use of the inquiry cycle to improve their teaching".

The article discusses how teachers who follow an inquiry cycle can 'shape and reshape' their teaching.

I think this is a process which many teachers follow naturally. Most teachers I know are reflective in their practice and then try new strategies based on their reflections. I think it might be more effective to sometimes follow a formal documented process.

Studies have found that there is often a difference between the pedagogy that a teacher supports, and there actual practice. Typically, teachers themselves succeeded as students in teacher dominated learning environments, and these tend to be the environments that they emulate.

There are many generic teaching practices which are common to most settings, regardless of the subject matter.

The article wonders how to collect information about effective teachers. One strategy is to observe teachers, but this poses problems about success criteria. Another strategy is to use 'learner driven' studies where students offer feedback about teachers. Learner driven studies show us what students value about teachers.