Evidence-based teach

Recently, some studies have been carried out regarding the teaching techniques that have proved to produce good results in students. Some experts suggest that a proper combination of them would make the most of our students. 

Professor Robert Marzano has reviewed and shynthesised classroom based research and has produced  Top Ten Active Learning  Methods. The figure in brackets after each method is the average 'effect size' in experimental trials. An effect of 1.0 is roughly equivalent to two grades at GCSE or A-Level.

1. Identifying similarities and differences (1.32): students comparing and contrasting concepts is one of the best techniques.

2. Graphic organizers (1.24): creation of diagrams, mind maps, comparison tables...

3. Challenging tasks (1.2): tasks that will be difficult for the students and require reasoning and not just reproducing. 

4. Feedback (1.0): it should include reinforcing effort, providing recognition, self and peer assessment...

5.  Note making (not taking) and summarizing (.99): students create their own notes and get feedback.

6. Recall questions (.93): they help students to familiarize with the the topic. 

7. Decisions (.89): students match, group, sequence, rank...

8. Hypothesis testing (.79): students giving for and against arguments to test an hypothesis.  

9. Advance organizers (.78): A summary of what is going to happen in the lesson acts as a focus of the learning of the focus.

10. Cooperative learning (.73): it is designed to create accountability in learners.