Intentional Teaching in Education

Study Notes

Intentional Teaching

Intentional teaching is a practice where educators actively plan and engage in activities to achieve specific learning outcomes, rather than leaving learning outcomes to chance.
Teachers use their professional knowledge and insights into children's abilities to orchestrate learning experiences that are both purposeful and engaging.
This approach involves setting clear objectives, choosing appropriate strategies, and adapting to the learner's response in real-time to maximize educational effectiveness.

Strategy 1: Expanding Children's Ideas

Expanding children's ideas is an intentional teaching strategy that involves making deliberate, purposeful, and thoughtful decisions to facilitate children's learning and development.
This approach is proactive, rather than reactive, meaning that teachers actively plan and adapt their teaching strategies to enhance learning opportunities and outcomes for young children.

Examples of Intentional Teaching

A teacher facilitates children's learning by building upon their interests and suggestions, promoting critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
The teacher observes the children's play, identifies a teachable moment, and inquires about how to make the activity safe, promoting collaboration and literacy skills.
The teacher incorporates concepts like scaffolding, reflection, and continuous professional development to refine their strategies and create a collaborative learning environment.

Strategy 2: Responding to Children's Ideas and Interests

Responding to children's ideas and interests is another intentional teaching strategy that focuses on responding to and expanding upon children's ideas and interests.
This approach involves keen observation, active engagement, and designing learning opportunities tailored to the children's interests, promoting deeper understanding and further learning.

Examples of Responding to Children's Ideas and Interests

A teacher sets up an activity involving a shallow paddling pool, pebbles, and ice, responding to children's interests in natural phenomena like ice, water, and aquatic animals.
The teacher encourages children to interact with the materials, asking open-ended questions to stimulate thinking and curiosity, and supporting innovative problem-solving approaches.
The teacher facilitates peer interaction, promotes social skills and collaboration, and reflects on the session to plan future activities based on the children's responses.

Description

Intentional teaching is a practice where educators plan and engage in activities to achieve specific learning outcomes. This approach involves setting clear objectives, choosing strategies, and adapting to learners' needs.