3. The High Ground:
Good Teaching, Quality PedagogyThese central themes of what constitutes good teaching are not restricted to middle school practice. The NSW Quality Pedagogy model (adapted from Education Queensland's Productive Pedagogy and from Newman's Authentic Pedagogy) identifies three domains by which good teaching (and learning) may be defined: Intellectual quality, a quality learning environment, and significance of what is to be learned for the learner. Each domain in this model is composed of six elements, which offer the basis for identifying and evaluating the nature and extent of quality practice for a particular lesson, classroom or even school.
Intellectual Quality | Creating a Quality Learning Environment |
Significance |
Deep knowledge | Explicit quality criteria | Background knowledge |
Deep understanding | Engagement | Cultural knowledge |
Knowledge as problematic | High expectations | Integration of knowledge |
Higher-order thinking | Social support | Inclusivity |
Metalanguage | Self regulation | Connectedness |
Substantive communication | Student direction | Narrative |
References
Education Queensland. (2001). New Basics - Curriculum Organisers. (Available online accessed 23 January 2004.)
The full website contains masses of helpful and highly stimulating material concerning such matters as
NSW Department of Education and Training. (2003). Quality Teaching in NSW Schools: A Discussion Paper. Sydney: Professional Support and Curriculum Directorate. (Available online; accessed 23 January 2004.)
The whole website is rich with helpful information, including
An annotated bibliography of major references, including some of the original US research.
Newmann, F.M. & Wehlage, G.G. (1995). Successful school restructuring. (Available online accessed 13 February 2004.)
Newmann, F.M. and associates. (1996). Authentic Achievement. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
These are detailed discussions of the original US research, compiled by researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Why Integrate? What's in it for us?