ASSIGNMENT 1 POST 1- John Hattie

PROFESSOR JOHN HATTIE - University of Auckland

http://www.education.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/education/staff/j.hattie/papers/download.cfm
At this site there are some really good papers to be downloaded on research conducted by Hattie on different areas of teaching.

"John Hattie, University of Auckland, describes a four-year research project which outlined the attributes of "expert" vs "experienced" teachers. After 1000s of observations the study found that there are major differences between the two groups. The findings offer potential for professional development aimed at increasing the numbers of "expert" teachers and for establishing a critical mass of accomplished teachers who can provide direction for the teaching profession".
- http://www.nzcer.org.nz/default.php?cPath=21_148_194&products_id=485

John Hattie is an prominent education professor from the University of Auckland who wrote a well-known and influential essay "Teachers Make a Difference" 2003.

In this essay, Hattie states that it is excellence in teachers that make the greatest differences, not just teachers.
Hattie along with his colleague Dick Jaeger identified five major dimensions of excellent teachers. Expert Teachers:-

• Can identify essential representations of their subject;
• Can guide learning through classroom interactions;
• Can monitor learning and provide feedback;
• Can attend to affective attributes; and
• Can influence student outcomes.

essay can be accessed at http://www.acer.edu.au/workshops/documents/Teachers_Make_a_Difference_Hattie.pdf

CRITICAL REFLECTION

When the time comes and I have to teach full time, I want to strive to become an 'expert teacher'. These types of teachers get the best out of their students by influencing their outcomes. From personal experience I feel it is important for teachers to inspire and encourage students, and when students produce good work, the teacher needs to affirm this work to encourage good work in the future. Many a time I have been in a classroom working hard on a piece of work, and the teacher has barely acknowledged my dedication and achievement, and I have just thought to myself "Why did I bother?". John Hattie focuses on the idea of affirmation and feedback as characteristics of an expert teacher, which helps to maintain and also encourage student performance. Afterall, as a teacher we are there to get the best out of our students! :-)