Best practices – creating a positive learning environment
This publication was originally published 01 May 2020.
Summary
Explicit teaching
- Clearly show students what to do and how to do it (for example, providing explanation videos, hard/soft copy worked examples or completed exemplars).
- Explain the purpose and relevance of all tasks (for example, providing visual lesson outlines, learning intentions, the activities or key instructions, and the success criteria for the lesson).
Manage cognitive load
- Cut out inessential information.
- Present all the essential information together.
- Simplify complex information by presenting it both orally and visually.
- Encourage students to visualise concepts and procedures that they have learnt.
Support routines
- Provide daily to-do lists and day schedules.
- Have students submit work regularly.
Active supervision
- Check-in daily with students.
Collaboration
- Draw on collective teacher expertise (for example, co-plan lessons, share best practice models and resources).
- Regularly inform parents and carers of their child’s progress, learning expectations and learning goals.
Maintain high expectations
- Be clear about what is expected of students (for example, student behaviour and tasks).
- Provide effective feedback that includes constructive and actionable steps on how students can improve.
- Encourage student personal best goal setting.
Support student wellbeing
- Encourage student feedback and suggestions to help students feel connected to their learning.
- Engage students in positive self-talk, discuss issues when they arise and encourage students to ask for help.
- Provide tips on how students can manage their time effectively.
- Promote emotional safety through preventative strategies, such as teaching students self- regulation (for example, breathing and meditation exercises).
Support a safe online/remote learning environment
- Provide students and parents with information on respectful, responsible and safe use of digital devices.
- Clearly communicate procedures for staff, parents and carers to report concerns or online bullying.