Description of Domain Once a teacher has prepared the lessons and created an appropriate environment for learning, he/she must implement these ideas through effective instruction, the focus of Domain 3. Plans can include all sorts of ideas, but carrying out these ideas produces new challenges and considerations. For students to accomplish any learning at all, they need to clearly understand any directions and be able to connect their new knowledge to the teacher's expectations for what they are supposed to learn. Even if a lesson requires inquiry-based learning in which students must explore to figure out some information, they must understand the instructions well enough to work independently with occasional scaffolds. Teachers should also speak using rich vocabulary and proper syntax to encourage the same grammatical habits in the students. The proper language of students can be displayed through effective discussion as well. While asking review questions that require students to repeat information back to the teacher can promote a solid understanding of a concept, teachers must ask deeper questions that encourage students to think deeply and offer up their own opinions. Instead of allowing a few students to dominate a discussion, the teacher should build off of students' responses and relate the material to real-world issues. They can also give students a chance to form their own questions for their peers. Overall, teachers promote deep thinking by offering some questions that may not have only one correct response. Throughout these classroom activities, educators must engage students in their zones of proximal development and promote cognitive development by thinking about every detail, including the strategic grouping of students. Assessment can reveal if students truly understand the material, but teachers must provide feedback and clear rubrics when appropriate. Occasionally, these assessments can reveal a lack of understanding, or students may become distracted by something irrelevant to the lesson. Sometimes, a lesson may take more time than initially considered. However, teachers must be flexible and should recognize teachable moments. No matter what happens, the lesson needs appropriate structure and closure.
How to Demonstrate Domain 3 in the Classroom
By printing visual directions for the students, they can understand the instructions more clearly.
Create a safe environment for discussion by listening to each student talk and asking other students what they think about their peer's response.
Arrange students in collaborative groups that switch every once in a while, so that the students have a chance to work with others of varying skill levels.
Teachers can provide individual feedback directly on rubrics to communicate their corrections to the students.
By using real-world events, teachers can tie their lessons into a context that students understand.