TheNewArtAndScienceOfTeaching

I recently read The New Art and Science of Teaching: More Than Fifty New Instructional Strategies for Student Success by Robert J. Marzano (2017).

RJM has been an influential researcher and thought-leader for decades in the arena of teaching and learning.  In this book, which he describes as a manifesto, he synthesizes his previous work/writings into a superb compendium of effective teaching strategies.  

He concludes the book with eight recommendations for substantive change in the interest of making a better learning experience for students.  Those eight recommendations follow. 

Recommendation 1: Create a system that ensures teacher development. 

Recommendation 2: Focus on unit planning as opposed to lesson planning.

Recommendation 3: Use blended instruction. 

Recommendation 4: Ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum involving cognitive and metacognitive skills.

Recommendation 5: Rely on classroom measurement. 

Recommendation 6: Change report cards. 

Recommendation 7: Adjust scheduling to address the differential effectiveness of teachers.

Recommendation 8: Gradually move to a competency-based system.

Sure wished I'd have had such a guide when I started my teaching career in 1980.