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What are the 10 High Impact Teaching Strategies? [2024]
Have you ever wondered what makes a teacher truly effective in the classroom? What are the strategies that have the highest impact on student learning and achievement? In this article, we will explore the 10 high impact teaching strategies that every teacher should know. These strategies, known as High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS), have been recognized internationally as reliable instructional practices that deliver positive learning outcomes. So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets to becoming an exceptional teacher!
Quick Answer
The 10 high impact teaching strategies, also known as HITS, are:
- Setting Goals
- Structuring Lessons
- Explicit Teaching
- Worked Examples
- Collaborative Learning
- Multiple Exposures
- Questioning
- Feedback
- Metacognitive Strategies
- Differentiated Teaching
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these strategies and explore how they can transform your teaching practice.
Quick Tips and Facts
- HITS are evidence-based instructional practices that have been proven to enhance student learning outcomes.
- These strategies are applicable across all subject areas and grade levels.
- Implementing HITS requires intentional planning, scaffolding, and differentiation to meet the diverse needs of students.
- Professional Learning Communities can use HITS as a common language to anchor interventions in evidence-based practices.
- HITS provide a framework for teachers to reflect on and improve their instructional practices.
Background: The Power of High Impact Teaching Strategies
High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) are a bank of 10 instructional practices that have been recognized internationally as reliable teaching strategies for delivering learning outcomes. These strategies have been developed based on extensive research and have been proven to have a significant impact on student learning and achievement.
HITS are not just for beginning teachers; they can also benefit experienced teachers by adding to their understanding of existing strategies and suggesting new ways to use them. For Professional Learning Communities, HITS can serve as a common language to anchor interventions in evidence-based practices. School leaders can also use HITS as a professional learning opportunity to support and enhance the instructional practices of their teachers.
Now, let’s explore each of the 10 high impact teaching strategies in detail.
1. Setting Goals
Setting clear learning intentions and goals is the first high impact teaching strategy. When teachers set goals for their lessons, they provide students with a clear understanding of what they are expected to learn and achieve. This strategy helps students focus their attention and effort on the specific learning outcomes. By setting goals, teachers can also provide students with a sense of purpose and direction in their learning journey.
Quick Tip: When setting goals, make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals). This will help students understand what success looks like and enable them to track their progress.
Resources: Goal Setting Strategies on Amazon | Goal Setting Strategies on Walmart | Goal Setting Strategies on Etsy
2. Structuring Lessons
The second high impact teaching strategy is structuring lessons. Lesson structure refers to the way teachers organize and sequence the content and activities in their lessons. A well-structured lesson provides a clear roadmap for both teachers and students, ensuring that learning is coherent and meaningful. It helps students understand the purpose and flow of the lesson, making it easier for them to engage with the content and achieve the desired learning outcomes.
Quick Tip: When structuring lessons, consider using a consistent format that includes an engaging introduction, clear learning objectives, explicit teaching, guided practice, independent practice, and a meaningful conclusion.
Resources: Lesson Structuring Strategies on Amazon | Lesson Structuring Strategies on Walmart | Lesson Structuring Strategies on Etsy
3. Explicit Teaching
Explicit teaching is the third high impact teaching strategy. It involves teachers clearly showing students what to do and how to do it. Through explicit teaching, teachers provide step-by-step instructions, modeling, and guided practice to help students develop a deep understanding of the content and skills being taught. This strategy is particularly effective for introducing new concepts, procedures, or strategies.
Quick Tip: When using explicit teaching, break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Provide clear explanations, demonstrate the desired skills or processes, and provide opportunities for guided practice and feedback.
Resources: Explicit Teaching Strategies on Amazon | Explicit Teaching Strategies on Walmart | Explicit Teaching Strategies on Etsy
4. Worked Examples
Worked examples are the fourth high impact teaching strategy. They involve providing students with step-by-step demonstrations of how to solve a problem or complete a task. Worked examples help students develop a deep understanding of the underlying concepts and processes involved in a particular task. By analyzing and reflecting on worked examples, students can internalize the problem-solving strategies and apply them to similar problems or tasks.
Quick Tip: When using worked examples, make sure to explain the reasoning and decision-making processes involved in each step. Encourage students to actively engage with the examples by asking questions and making connections to their prior knowledge.
Resources: Worked Examples Strategies on Amazon | Worked Examples Strategies on Walmart | Worked Examples Strategies on Etsy
5. Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning is the fifth high impact teaching strategy. It involves students working together in small groups to achieve a common learning goal. Collaborative learning promotes active engagement, peer interaction, and the development of social and cognitive skills. It also fosters a sense of belonging and community in the classroom, which can enhance student motivation and achievement.
Quick Tip: When implementing collaborative learning, provide clear guidelines and expectations for group work. Assign roles and responsibilities to ensure equal participation and accountability. Monitor and facilitate group discussions to ensure that all students are actively engaged.
Resources: Collaborative Learning Strategies on Amazon | Collaborative Learning Strategies on Walmart | Collaborative Learning Strategies on Etsy
6. Multiple Exposures
The sixth high impact teaching strategy is providing students with multiple exposures to new knowledge and skills. Multiple exposures involve presenting information or concepts in different ways and providing students with repeated opportunities to encounter, engage with, and elaborate on the content. This strategy helps students develop a deeper understanding and long-term retention of the material.
Quick Tip: When providing multiple exposures, use a variety of instructional strategies such as visual aids, hands-on activities, discussions, and real-world applications. Encourage students to make connections between different representations of the content.
Resources: Multiple Exposure Strategies on Amazon | Multiple Exposure Strategies on Walmart | Multiple Exposure Strategies on Etsy
7. Questioning
Questioning is the seventh high impact teaching strategy. It involves using questions to engage students in thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving. Effective questioning can stimulate curiosity, promote critical thinking, and deepen students’ understanding of the content. By asking thought-provoking questions, teachers can challenge students to think beyond surface-level responses and encourage them to explore different perspectives and possibilities.
Quick Tip: When using questioning, vary the types of questions you ask, including open-ended questions, probing questions, and higher-order thinking questions. Give students sufficient wait time to process and respond to the questions.
Resources: Questioning Strategies on Amazon | Questioning Strategies on Walmart | Questioning Strategies on Etsy
8. Feedback
Feedback is the eighth high impact teaching strategy. It involves providing students with information about their performance relative to the learning goals. Effective feedback helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement, guiding them towards achieving the desired learning outcomes. Feedback can be provided by the teacher, peers, or through self-assessment and reflection.
Quick Tip: When giving feedback, be specific, timely, and constructive. Focus on the learning goals and provide actionable suggestions for improvement. Encourage students to reflect on the feedback and set goals for their future learning.
Resources: Feedback Strategies on Amazon | Feedback Strategies on Walmart | Feedback Strategies on Etsy
9. Metacognitive Strategies
Metacognitive strategies are the ninth high impact teaching strategy. They involve teaching students to think about their thinking. Metacognition helps students become aware of their own learning processes, monitor their understanding, and regulate their learning behaviors. By developing metacognitive skills, students become more independent and self-directed learners.
Quick Tip: When teaching metacognitive strategies, explicitly model and explain the thinking processes involved in learning. Encourage students to reflect on their learning experiences, set goals, plan their learning strategies, monitor their progress, and evaluate their learning outcomes.
Resources: Metacognitive Strategies on Amazon | Metacognitive Strategies on Walmart | Metacognitive Strategies on Etsy
10. Differentiated Teaching
Differentiated teaching is the tenth high impact teaching strategy. It involves tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of students in the classroom. Differentiated teaching recognizes that students have different learning styles, abilities, interests, and backgrounds. By providing differentiated instruction, teachers can ensure that every student is challenged and supported to reach their full potential.
Quick Tip: When differentiating instruction, consider students’ readiness, interests, and learning profiles. Provide a variety of learning options, materials, and assessments to accommodate different learning preferences and abilities.
Resources: Differentiated Teaching Strategies on Amazon | Differentiated Teaching Strategies on Walmart | Differentiated Teaching Strategies on Etsy
FAQ
What is a high impact teaching strategy?
A high impact teaching strategy is an evidence-based instructional practice that has been proven to have a significant impact on student learning and achievement. These strategies are applicable across all subject areas and grade levels and can enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning in the classroom.
Read more about “What are the 4 A’s Strategies in Teaching? …”
What are the six impact strategies?
The six impact strategies are:
- Setting Goals
- Structuring Lessons
- Explicit Teaching
- Worked Examples
- Collaborative Learning
- Multiple Exposures
These strategies have been recognized internationally as reliable teaching practices that deliver positive learning outcomes.
Read more about “What are the 6 Management Techniques That a Teacher Should Develop? …”
What are the 10 high impact teaching strategies PDF?
The 10 high impact teaching strategies PDF is a comprehensive guide that provides detailed information and resources on each of the 10 strategies. It offers practical tips, examples, and implementation strategies for teachers to enhance their instructional practices and improve student learning outcomes.
What are the 5 high impact strategies for student achievement?
The 5 high impact strategies for student achievement are:
- Questioning
- Feedback
- Metacognitive Strategies
- Collaborative Learning
- Differentiated Teaching
These strategies have been shown to have a significant impact on student achievement and can be implemented in various classroom settings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 10 high impact teaching strategies, also known as HITS, are powerful tools that can transform your teaching practice and enhance student learning outcomes. By implementing these strategies, you can create a classroom environment that fosters engagement, critical thinking, and deep understanding. Remember to set clear goals, structure your lessons effectively, provide explicit instruction, use worked examples, promote collaborative learning, provide multiple exposures, ask thought-provoking questions, give timely feedback, teach metacognitive strategies, and differentiate your instruction. By incorporating these strategies into your teaching practice, you can become an exceptional teacher who makes a lasting impact on your students’ lives.
Recommended Links
- Instructional Coaching
- Lesson Planning
- Classroom Management
- Differentiated Instruction
- What are the Ten Teaching Strategies?
Reference Links
- High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS)
- HITS Guide
- VTLM page on FUSE
- HITS catalogue on FUSE
- Promoting literacy learning with HITS
- Promoting numeracy learning with HITS
Remember, implementing these high impact teaching strategies can take your teaching to the next level and create a positive and engaging learning environment for your students. So, go ahead and try them out in your classroom today!
