Students’ needs keep changing, and educators know their job is to prepare students for a future that won’t look like the past. Traditional teaching methods still provide a foundation, but more educators now see that meeting every student’s needs takes new approaches as well. New teaching methods let teachers draw on students’ creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, and they make for lessons that hold attention and push students further.
As a trusted partner for public school districts nationwide, we design customized support systems that fit each school or district’s local context, and we share insights and resources to help you keep simplifying support systems, strengthening instructional practice, and improving the learner experience.
Innovative Teaching Methods That Improve Student Success
New approaches to teaching can capture students’ attention and build a real love of learning. Technology, multimedia resources, and real-world examples all make a classroom more active and engaging. Some of the teaching methods that have been proven effective include:
Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning emphasizes teamwork and cooperation among students. This approach encourages active participation, social interaction, and peer-to-peer learning. Through group projects, team-based learning discussions, and problem-solving activities, students build skills such as communication, collaboration, and negotiation, and they form a supportive community with classmates who push each other.
Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning is an effective teaching method that encourages students to actively engage in real-world problem-solving. Through hands-on projects, students can apply their knowledge, collaborate with peers, and develop skills like teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. The approach raises student motivation and deepens understanding of the subject as students connect theory with practice.
Technology Integration
Technology is now a basic tool in education. Integrating technology into teaching methods can enhance student engagement, facilitate personalized learning, and provide access to a wealth of educational resources. From interactive whiteboards and educational apps to online platforms and virtual reality, technology offers countless opportunities for innovative teaching. Teachers can use multimedia resources, simulations, and interactive exercises to create immersive learning experiences that cater to different learning styles and interests.
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Coach Teachers to Use New Teaching Methods Well
Public school districts often partner with a talent development or education strategic planning vendor like engage2learn to provide their teachers and school leaders (such as principals and assistant principals) with relevant professional development and personalized coaching that increases their effectiveness without adding more to their plate. This is done through:
01: Building a culture of innovation in the school system.
Start by building a growth mindset among teachers. Encourage educators to question conventional teaching practices and seek new approaches. Provide opportunities for collaborative learning, where teachers can share their experiences, ideas, and innovative strategies.
02: Offering professional development programs.
Equip teachers with the knowledge and skills required to embrace innovative teaching methods. These programs should focus on such topics as design thinking, project-based learning, technology integration, and small group instruction. Encourage educators to use a job-embedded professional development platform such as GroweLab to stay up to date with instructional best practices and pedagogical trends.
03: Promoting collaboration and networking among teachers.
Encourage them to form professional learning communities where they can exchange ideas, share resources, and engage in collaborative lesson planning, both within and across educational institutions. Online platforms and social media connect teachers with educators around the world.
04: Encouraging innovation.
Innovation often involves stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Teachers should be encouraged to innovate with new teaching methods, which could involve gamified learning, flipped classrooms, or incorporating digital tools and resources. Create a supportive environment that values experimentation, embraces failures as opportunities for growth, and celebrates successes with badges and microcredentials.
05: Providing teachers with easy access to innovative teaching resources.
GroweLab, the all-in-one instructional coaching and educator support platform from engage2learn, puts teachers’ resources in one place, including differentiated classroom activities, lesson plan templates, online courses, and more. These resources are curated and aligned with the role-specific skills teachers most need to develop. The platform also offers training on digital tools, so teachers know how to use technology well in their instruction. With targeted resources in GroweLab, teachers can put new teaching methods into practice and meet the different learning needs of their students.
Get to Know GroweLab, the All-In-One Talent Development and Instructional Coaching Platform
Intended specifically for instructional coaches, teachers, and district and school leaders, GroweLab helps users maximize their time, work autonomously and collaboratively, increase capacity, and provide individualized, differentiated support relative to each coachee’s needs. Paired with engage2learn’s evidence-based coaching methodology that aligns to the science of coaching, GroweLab is designed to:
- Enable instructional coaches to manage, document, and monitor all coaching activity with ease, no matter how large their roster.
- Connect educator growth and student achievement data to show the ROI and impact of coaching through an advanced, user-friendly education analytics dashboard.
- Incentivize educator and staff growth through a microcredentialing and recognition system.
- Grow school and district staff in differentiated, role-specific professional learning competencies grounded in research.
- Support 100% of instructional and non-instructional staff at a fraction of the cost.
- Provide 24/7 access to asynchronous learning on competencies, a library of resources and courses, and real-time coaching interactions and feedback.
Instructional Coaching in GroweLab
Coaching is the most effective tool for improving the daily practice of teachers. With GroweLab, leaders can simplify and scale their instructional coaching by giving targeted support to more teachers and staff, while keeping the coaching program visible and effective. In GroweLab, leaders can extend coaching to more educators, track progress, and make data-informed decisions for continuous improvement. That makes instructional coaching more effective, increases teacher retention, and improves student outcomes.
Coaches stay organized, focused on relevant topics, and efficient when one collaborative tool lets them easily communicate with, monitor, analyze, and celebrate the progress of every educator on their roster, especially a tool designed around educators’ needs.
As instructional coaches observe and monitor the progress of educators, they need a single, user-friendly tool for ongoing documentation and real-time coaching: one that allows open communication between coach and coachee, makes good use of everyone’s time, and gives educators clear, specific next steps.
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A tool that turns all evidence of educator growth from instructional coaching into data lets leaders quantify the efficacy of coaching, find the areas that need more attention, and connect educator growth to improved student achievement.
GroweLab is built on a model of support that is proven to provide teachers and any coachee with relevant professional development and individualized instructional coaching focused on high-impact competencies proven to:
- Accelerate student learning and achievement
- Improve job satisfaction
- Reduce teacher burnout
- Decrease attrition
Through personalized learning strategies, adaptive technology, and differentiated instruction, teachers build the skills and get the tools to give every student the targeted support they need. Giving teachers room to try new teaching methods is central to improving student success. With GroweLab, your teachers will have the resources, training, and support they need to grow in their skills, support their students, and make a lasting impact.
When you’re ready to grow your talent, we’re ready to support you! Learn more about GroweLab and get a demo here.
First published August 8, 2023.