What Are the Best Tips for Pedagogical Development?

Pedagogical development refers to the growth and improvement that teachers and professors undergo as they gain experience and learn more effective ways of teaching students. This pertains to teachers from preschool through the university level of education. Developing and enhancing teaching techniques is a career-long process for teachers. Among the most popular and effective methods of pedagogical development are paying attention to what other teachers are doing; accepting feedback from students, co-workers and bosses; and continually trying new concepts and ideas in the classroom.

One tip for pedagogical development is to observe other teachers in the same academic discipline, in other academic areas, and even at different levels. It also is beneficial for teachers to consult with colleagues about different effective teaching strategies. Teachers should take ideas from their own area but not be afraid to take ideas from other areas and levels and modify them to use with their own students. By collaborating with other teachers and sharing ideas, which may need to be tweaked and improved, teachers can substantially improve their own pedagogical development. Knowledge and real understanding of effective pedagogy also can be enhanced by conducting research, taking classes and participating in other forms of professional development.

Self-reflection and seeking assessment and feedback from students, peers and administrators also are vital tips for pedagogical development. When teachers look at their own teaching practices and methods as analytically and objectively as possible, relying on their own self-assessment and the critical perspectives of others, they have the opportunity to greatly enhance their strengths and improve their weaknesses. If students give a teacher feedback that a particular activity did not work well and explain why, he can then use that constructive criticism to improve the activity for next time. A teacher who hears from his colleagues that he might need to improve his ability to address students’ diverse learning styles when developing educational activities should make efforts to do so.

It is especially important for teachers expanding on their pedagogical development to gain an intricate understanding of and excellent rapport with their students and to continually try out new ideas in the classroom. Also included in this concept is that teachers develop a deep understanding of their academic discipline, understand how to break it down so students understand it, and know how to make it challenging yet relevant to students’ lives. The more experience teachers have and the more willing they are to try new things, the broader and more diverse their skills and effectiveness will be. Teachers also should realize that every student and every class is different, which means that every class and every student may require different teaching techniques. Asking students for their ideas about how to learn and pursue the academic material that must be taught can be an effective way of increasing students' interest and motivation to learn.