Improving Educator Instructional Practices
Welcome!
Welcome to the Instructional Practices Learning Hub! We’re excited to have you join us on a journey to elevate and enrich your teaching practice. Our mission is to support educators in developing effective, research-based instructional strategies that truly make a difference in student learning. Here, you’ll find valuable resources and insights on key areas such as active learning practices, differentiated instruction, assessment and data-driven instruction, and building a strong, positive classroom culture. We also explore five core teaching philosophies that provide a foundation for meaningful and impactful instruction. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned educator, this hub is your go-to space for continuous growth and professional learning!
Where Do I Begin?
Browse the information below to learn more about the five common teaching philosophies.
​
​
​
​
Click each tab in the navigation bar to learn more about teaching strategies that will improve your instructional practices and deepen your educational philosophy.
Begin implementing the "ready to use" ideas outlined on each tab. Improving instructional practices will enhance your leadership and improve your student's learning experience!
It All Begins with Teachers
“The most significant factor through which the educational institutes achieve their fundamental goals is the teacher” (Zaki et al., 2013, p. 58). In order to reform instructional practices, teachers must first seek to understand their personal growth and development. To make any notable changes to one’s instructional practices, teachers must understand two fundamental concepts. One, they must have a complete understanding of instructional processes and two, they must be aware of their own teaching philosophies.
-The 5 Teaching Philosophies -
Donald G. Fox offered a foundational framework for understanding the diverse ways in which educators approach their practice. While this framework was developed prior to technological advances in the classroom, these philosophies remains a valuable tool for analyzing the fundamental beliefs and assumptions that support teaching methodologies. Fox's work identified five basic theories of teaching, providing a lens through which educators can reflect on their own practices and the relationships they cultivate with their students. The chart below explains these five teaching philosophies, explore their core principal, and discuss their continued relevance and application within the contemporary educational landscape.
Zaki et al., 2013, p.70-71
Sources
Zaki, S., Rashidi, Z., & Hussain Kazmi, H. (2013). Improving Instructional practices: where to begin?. Journal of Research & Reflections in Education (JRRE), 7(1).