Research-based Strategies

 Which do you feel is more relevant to today’s classroom, why?
Marzano’s nine best practices are more relevant in the 21 st classroom. Specifically, the
practices of summarizing and notetaking, and doing homework and practising make Marzano’s
practices to stand out and fit in today’s classroom (Hansen et al., 2015). These practices enhance
learner participation. They provide suggestions to the teacher on how to ensure that the students
remain engaged. Participation motivates students and fosters attention in class. It shifts focus to
the students and makes learning to be learner-centered. Students are then able to direct the
learning process according to their learning abilities and pace. These practices also allow for the
application of differentiated teaching and learning strategies. As students summarize and take
notes, they break the concepts and content into a simpler language that is easy for them to
understand. Since each student is different, this practice allows for individual and differentiated
learning. Marzano’s practices are effective and relevant to today’s classroom where every learner
goes through the learning process individually and directs their learning pace depending on
individual abilities.
 Choose a researcher, whose best practices will work best in the classroom you plan
on teaching, why?
Marzano’s best nine practices will work best in my classroom in the near future. These
practices will work best for me because I am an educator who strongly advocates for learner-
centred teaching and learning strategies. In the practices, Marzano shifts the teaching and
learning focus and makes teaching be student-centred. Students are actively engaged and directly
involved in learning activities. I plan on incorporating cooperative learning where students will

study in small groups. Marzano explains that practising cooperative learning by organizing
students into small groups within which they work with each other is usually highly conducive
approach to learning (Hansen et al., 2015). The approach will be effective especially in
classroom settings where students will be highly heterogeneous. Students will be organized in
small groups and sometimes in pairs depending on the activity planned to be carried out. The
practice encourages participation as each learner will have an opportunity to make a contribution
within the groups unlike if they all sit throughout the lesson in a large classroom, where only a
few students, mostly the bold ones, will get a chance to participate in class. Other practices in the
list are highly applicable, hence I think that these are the best practices for use in teaching and
learning.
 Which of Marazano’s best practices do you feel will enhance instruction in your
classroom, based on your own style and personality?
One of the practices that will enhance instruction in my classroom s setting objectives
and providing feedback. Through using the ‘what I know, what I want to learn, and what I have
learned’ strategy, will be effective in helping students set achievable targets throughout the
learning period (Hansen et al., 2015). Further, the use of rubrics to provide students with specific
feedback will help them identify specific areas which they are strong at and those which require
more effort to master. Another practice that I will use to enhance instruction is reinforcing effort
and providing recognition (Hansen et al., 2015). I will encourage and guide students on how to
keep a personal best log where they will note any effort they expend in learning. Such a record
will help the student recognize areas where they are making progress. Also, I will “pause,
prompt, and praise”. If I realize that a certain learner is struggling with a certain concept or

content area, I will take time to discuss the issue with him or her, then enquire if he or she has
some questions, and lastly, I will offer praise for improved performance.

References

Hansen, C.B., Buczynski, S., & Puckett, K.S. (2015). Curriculum and instruction for the 21 st
century. Bridgepoint Education