What is a Good Lesson?
The Best Choice .... according to the experts
Cotter, 2001 – "The following components [are] clearly in evidence [for a good lesson]: introduction and anticipatory set, clear instructional objective, substantive content, modeling of desired outcomes, check for student understanding, guided analogous practice, independent practice, and closure."
Rationale
- Faculty will know they are providing a high-quality teaching experience.
- Students will learn more effectively and more efficiently.
Basic Information
What do instructors think is a good lesson?
- Clearly expressed instructional goals/objectives
- Well planned, paced and organized
- Clearly communicates to the students the desired outcomes
- Utilizes appropriate teaching and learning strategies
- Accommodates for different student learning styles
- Utilizes technology in a meaningful and competent manner
- Motivates and actively engages students to learn
- Periodically checks for student understanding
- Monitors and evaluates student performance
- Provides timely feedback to students
- Provides a summary of the lesson
What do students think is a good lesson?
- Knows what the instructor is trying to accomplish in the lesson.
- Understands what criteria the instructor will use to assess them.
- Knows how they are doing throughout the course.
- The instructor expresses his/her ideas clearly.
- Content is easy to understand, or appropriate guidance is provided for complex and difficult tasks.
- Course is well paced.
- Lessons provide new and supportive content.
- Content can be integrated with previously learned concepts.
- Knowledge learned can help the students with future careers.
- Does not have excessive or useless work
- Is interesting, stimulating, challenging and motivating.
References
Cotter, K. (2001). Summary of instructional observation. Retrieved May 14, 2003 from http://www.pes-sports.com/obs.pdf
Round Rock School District. What is a good lesson? (Word File)
Retrieved May 14, 2003 from
http://www.roundrockisd.org/cdfulkes/Teacher/LessonPlanMaker/what_is_a_good_lesson.htm
The Tiffin Girls' School. What is a good lesson?
Retrieved May 14, 2003 from http://www.tiffingirls.kingston.sch.uk/staff%20info/handbook/Staff%20Handbook%202006-7/Curriculum%20and%20Assessment/What%20is%20a%20Good%20Lesson.doc