Evidence-based practices are the cornerstone of effective teaching, providing consistent and reliable results across diverse educational contexts. This means that they are tried and tested in a wide range of environments and contexts, evaluated with rigour, and have shown to provide consistent and reliable results. They are built on the experience and practice of many teachers and many students in a range of contexts and over time.
Evidence shows which teaching practices work in harmony with the brain's learning mechanisms. By focusing on strategies that help embed new information in long-term memory, teachers can deliver lasting learning outcomes.
‘While students may require varying levels of guidance, repetition and practice, the fundamental processes of knowledge acquisition remain consistent. This explains why certain teaching methods consistently yield better results across diverse student populations than others,’ said Zid Mancenido, AERO’s Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation.
‘Some people mistakenly view evidence-based practices as adverse to creativity and curiosity. However, this perception is unfounded.
‘Techniques such as explicit teaching and maintaining learning-focused classroom environments provide students with a stronger foundation of knowledge and skills. This solid base empowers students to explore and impact their world more effectively,’ he said.
AERO helps teachers and educational leaders identify what practices are evidence-based and understand how they can benefit the children and students in their school or early education and care services.
To support schools in the practical implementation of evidence-based practice, AERO publishes research alongside helpful guides and classroom management resources.
‘Our role is to support the important work of our frontline teachers and educators, and others in the education systems, to make good decisions about the ways they teach by exploring, and building on, the evidence base, and giving people access to those insights,’ Zid said.
An evidence-based approach to education is not a static concept but an evolving process. Continuous research is essential to understand what works, why it works and how it can be improved. This ongoing commitment to evidence-based practices ensures that every child can benefit from effective teaching methods and experience smooth transitions throughout their educational journey.
By staying informed about the latest research and implementing evidence-based strategies, teachers can be confident in the quality of education they provide. This approach benefits individual students, enhances the satisfaction of teachers and contributes to the overall improvement of educational systems.
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Keywords: evidence, student learning, teacher resources