Describe Effective Teaching Techniques that Result in Intended Learning.

Effective teaching requires using multiple approaches to keep students engaged in the progress of learning. Whether direct, indirect, or inquiry instruction teachers have to be versatile and willing to change quickly even if it means giving up a planned lesson for the day to go with a "teachable moment."  But on a typical teaching day using direct instruction students should have an exposure to various attention-gaining devices whether a question that draws them in to learning, a visual such as the SMARTboard or even a small video that paints a vivid picture of the concept to be studied that day. An effective teacher should show enthusiasm and be animated through eye-contact, voice and gestures or movement to facilitate transitions. An instructor should be flexible and also have a certain consistency in their approach (e.g. presents, asks questions, then provide for independent practice). Effective teaching incorporates students ideas or participation in some aspects of the instruction. There should be a mixture of rewards and reinforcers ( e.g. extra credit, verbal praise, independent study,etc). There should also be evaluation and measurement incorporated on a daily/weekly basis to help students retain information and give them a chance to prove what they've learned. Direct instruction should be used for knowledge and comprehension goals and indirect instruction for inquiry and problem solving objectives. Rubrics are a great approach that outlines the needs.