High-Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) are instructional practices that are well-supported by research and have been shown to significantly enhance student learning outcomes. They are a versatile set of strategies that can be used by teachers at various stages of their careers and in different contexts. By incorporating HITS into your teaching repertoire, you align with the Jordan Strategic Plan and the Portrait of a Graduate, ensuring that teaching practices are both effective and evidence-based.
Here’s a breakdown of how HITS can benefit different stakeholders in the educational community:
Benefits of Using High-Impact Teaching Strategies
Beginning Teachers:
- Confidence Building: HITS provide a reliable set of instructional practices that new teachers can use with confidence, ensuring effective teaching right from the start.
Experienced Teachers:
- Enhancement & Innovation: HITS are not meant to replace successful existing strategies but to complement them. They can provide new insights and methods to enhance and innovate current teaching practices.
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs):
- Evidence-Based Interventions: By integrating HITS, PLCs can base their interventions on proven practices, increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
School Leaders:
- Professional Development: HITS offer a framework for professional learning and development. They encourage collaboration among teachers and can be systematically integrated into school-wide planning for curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Implementation Tips
- Start Small: Integrate one or two HITS at a time, refining your approach as you become more comfortable.
- Collaborate: Work with colleagues to share experiences and strategies for implementing HITS.
- Reflect: Regularly reflect on the impact of HITS on student learning and make adjustments as needed.