| TLRP’s evidence-informed pedagogic principles
(pdf version)
TLRP developed an analysis of the research projects into what were called evidence-informed principles for teaching and learning or pedagogies. These were initially developed as the product of an iterative process of consultation and debate between researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and the TLRP Directors’ Team from the evidence of the phases 1 and 2 of the programme and the schools’ projects, including teacher education. They were first formulated as the conclusion of TLRP’s school-focused portfolio, but it was felt that they broadly resonated with evidence from projects working in other sectors – pre-school, FE, HE, workplace learning, adult learning. Subsequently, therefore, two further versions of these evidence-informed principles were developed as commentaries, namely in Effective Learning and Teaching in UK Higher Education and Higher Skills Development at work
The version of the principles below was an attempt to conceptualise the principles in a way that made them applicable to all sectors. Three changes are fundamental.
First, the phrase ‘teaching and learning’ was replaced by ‘pedagogy’ because teachers and teaching, as such, were less evident in post-compulsory settings. Some people argue that ‘pedagogy’, by definition, has application only to the learning of children. But learning processes, as distinct from learning contexts, do not fundamentally change as children become adults, so we retained ‘pedagogy’. The term ‘pedagogy’ also had the advantage of highlighting the contingent nature of effective teaching i.e. the interventions of teachers or trainers were most effective when they were planned in response to how learners learn.
Secondly, we attempted to broaden the conception of what is to be learned, beyond the notions of curricula and subjects associated with schools. Thirdly, we gave more prominence to the importance of learning relationships which are crucial in all sectors or phases of education and formal or informal learning.
1. Effective pedagogy equips learners for life in its broadest sense. Learning should aim to help individuals and groups to develop the
intellectual, personal and social resources that will enable them to
participate as active citizens, contribute to economic development and
flourish as individuals in a diverse and changing society. This means
adopting a broad conception of worthwhile learning outcomes and taking seriously issues of equity and social justice for all. (back to top)
2. Effective pedagogy engages with valued forms of knowledge. Pedagogy should engage learners with the big ideas, key skills and
processes, modes of discourse, ways of thinking and practising,
attitudes and relationships, which are the most valued learning
processes and outcomes in particular contexts. They need to
understand what constitutes quality, standards and expertise in
different settings. (back to top)
3. Effective pedagogy recognises the importance of prior experience
and learning. Pedagogy should take account of what the learner
knows already in order for them, and those who support their learning,
to plan their next steps. This includes building on prior learning but also
taking account of the personal and cultural experiences of different
groups of learners. (back to top)
4. Effective pedagogy requires learning to be scaffolded. Teachers,
trainers and all those, including peers, who support the learning of
others, should provide activities, cultures and structures of intellectual,
social and emotional support to help learners to move forward in their
learning. When these supports are removed the learning needs to be
secure. (back to top)
5. Effective pedagogy needs assessment to be congruent with
learning. Assessment should be designed and implemented with the
goal of achieving maximum validity both in terms of learning outcomes
and learning processes. It should help to advance learning as well as
determine whether learning has occurred. (back to top)
6. Effective pedagogy promotes the active engagement of the
learner. A chief goal of learning should be the promotion of learners’
independence and autonomy. This involves acquiring a repertoire of
learning strategies and practices, developing positive learning
dispositions, and having the will and confidence to become agents in
their own learning. (back to top)
7. Effective pedagogy fosters both individual and social processes
and outcomes. Learners should be encouraged and helped to build
relationships and communication with others for learning purposes, in
order to assist the mutual construction of knowledge and enhance the
achievements of individuals and groups. Consulting learners about
their learning and giving them a voice is both an expectation and a
right. (back to top)
8. Effective pedagogy recognises the significance of informal
learning. Informal learning, such as learning out of school or away
from the workplace, should be recognised as at least as significant as
formal learning and should therefore be valued and appropriately
utilised in formal processes. (back to top)
9. Effective pedagogy depends on the learning of all those who support the learning of others. The need for lecturers, teachers, trainers and co-workers to learn continuously in order to develop their knowledge and skill, and adapt and develop their roles, especially through practice-based inquiry, should be recognised and supported. (back to top)
10. Effective pedagogy demands consistent policy frameworks with support for learning as their primary focus. Organisational and system level policies need to recognise the fundamental importance of continual learning - for individual, team, organisational and system success - and be designed to create effective learning environments
for all learners. (back to top)
Go to: Principles into Practice Schools Materials
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