Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching

a tutorial for educators

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Welcome to the tutorial

This tutorial is designed to introduce educators to Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching.

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Acknowledgment

All material in this tutorial is taken directly from Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching by Charlotte Danielson.

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How to navigate

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How to navigate

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Think about something and generate your own ideasTHINK

about it!

LEARN about it!

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New material is being presented

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Several options for you to exploreEXPLORE

it further!

CHECK yourself!

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Check how well you understand the material

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Test your knowledge by applying it

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What is good teaching?

Is everyone’s idea of good teaching the same? How many words can you think of to describe what good teaching looks like? Write down as many as you can before continuing.

THINK about it!

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Does good teaching look anything like this?

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Introduction to the framework

Enhancing Professional Practice was created by Charlotte Danielson and serves to identify those aspects of a teacher’s responsibilities that have been documented through empirical studies and theoretical research as promoting improved student learning.

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LEARN about it!

Meet the four domains

In this framework, the complex activity of teaching is divided into four domains of teaching responsibility.

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Choose what you would like to do nextExplore the domain Explore the domain

Explore the domain Explore the domain

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Domain 1: Planning and Preparation

Domain 1 describes how a teacher organizes the content that the students are to learn—how the teacher designs instruction. The domain covers all aspects of instructional planning, beginning with a deep understanding of content and pedagogy and an understanding and appreciation of the students and what they bring to the educational encounter.

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Domain 2: Classroom Environment

The aspects of an environment conducive to learning are captured in Domain 2. These aspects of teaching are not associated with the learning of any particular content; instead, they set the stage for all learning. The components of Domain 2 establish a comfortable and respectful classroom environment that cultivates a culture for learning and creates a safe place for learning.

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Domain 3: Instruction

Domain 3 contains the components that are at the essential heart of teaching—the actual engagement of students in content. It is impossible to overstate the importance of Domain 3, which reflects the primary mission of schools: to enhance student learning. The components of Domain 3 are unified through the vision of students developing complex understanding and participating in a community of learners.

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Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities

The components in Domain 4 are associated with being a true professional educator; they encompass the roles assumed outside of and in addition to those in the classroom with students. Students rarely observe these activities; parents and the larger community observe them only intermittently. But the activities are critical to preserving and enhancing the profession.

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LEARN ABOUT ANOTHER DOMAIN

How well do you understand?

The four domains are further divided into more specific skills, or components. Check your understanding by deciding to which domain each component belongs.

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CHECK yourself!

Component: Reflecting on teaching

Choose the domain where this component belongs.

CHECK yourself!

Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction

Professional Responsibilities

Component: Setting instructional objectives

Choose the domain where this component belongs.

CHECK yourself!

Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction

Professional Responsibilities

Component: Maintaining accurate records

Choose the domain where this component belongs.

CHECK yourself!

Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction

Professional Responsibilities

Component: Engaging students in learning

Choose the domain where this component belongs.

CHECK yourself!

Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction

Professional Responsibilities

Component: Establishing a culture for learning

Choose the domain where this component belongs.

CHECK yourself!

Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction

Professional Responsibilities

Component: Managing classroom procedures

Choose the domain where this component belongs.

CHECK yourself!

Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction

Professional Responsibilities

Component: Using questioning and discussion techniques

Choose the domain where this component belongs.

CHECK yourself!

Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction

Professional Responsibilities

Component: Demonstrating knowledge of resources

Choose the domain where this component belongs.

CHECK yourself!

Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction

Professional Responsibilities

Apply what you know about the domains

It’s time for the test! Now that you have developed a good understanding of each domain, it’s time to see if you can apply your learning. You will be provided comments from an evaluator to a classroom teacher. Can you identify to which domain the comments apply?

TEST yourself!

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Apply what you know about the domains

“The classroom was businesslike and non-instructional routines and procedures are handled efficiently.” Which domain does this comment address?

TEST yourself! Planning and

PreparationClassroom Environment

Instruction Professional Responsibilities

Apply what you know about the domains

“Your work in the classroom is fluid and flexible; you seamlessly incorporate ideas from many parts of the curriculum. Your students are engaged in meaningful work.” Which domain does this comment address?TEST

yourself! Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction Professional Responsibilities

Apply what you know about the domains

“The unit plan is coherent and concepts are developed through a sequence of varied learning activities from simple to complex. I can envision how you will engage students in the content.” Which domain does this comment address?TEST

yourself! Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction Professional Responsibilities

Apply what you know about the domains

“You are highly regarded by both colleagues and parents. I can depend on you to serve your students’ interests and those of the larger community.” Which domain does this comment address?TEST

yourself! Planning and Preparation

Classroom Environment

Instruction Professional Responsibilities

Oops! This component does not belong here. Why don’t you go back and try that one again?

Or, you can review the explanation of the domains one more time.

TRY AGAIN

BACK TO THE DOMAINS

Way to go!

Reflecting on teaching belongs to Domain 4, Professional Responsibilities. The ability to reflect on teaching is the mark of a true professional.

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Great job!

Setting instructional objectives is an important component of Domain 1, Planning and Preparation. Teaching is a purposeful activity and must be goal-directed to achieve certain well-defined purposes.

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Nicely done!

Maintaining accurate records is in Domain 4, Professional Responsibilities. One consequence of the complexity of teaching is the need for teachers to keep accurate records of student progress, routine classroom events, and non-instructional matters.

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You did it again!

Establishing a culture for learning is very important to Domain 2, Classroom Environment. This component refers to the atmosphere in the classroom that reflects the importance of the work undertaken by both students and teacher.

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Perfect!

Managing classroom procedures is integral to Domain 2, Classroom Environment. Teachers must develop procedures for the smooth operation of the classroom and efficient use of time before they can focus on instructional techniques.

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Well done!

Using questioning and discussion techniques is essential to Domain 3, Instruction. A teacher’s skill in using questioning and leading discussion makes a powerful contribution to student learning.

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Very impressive!

Engaging students in learning is at the very heart of Domain 3, Instruction. It is only through active engagement that students learn complex content. All the rest of the framework is in service of student engagement.

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That’s correct!

Demonstrating knowledge of resources belongs to Domain 1, Planning and Preparation. Skilled teachers are knowledgeable about all types of resources and constantly add to the reservoir of possible aids to their work.

READY FOR THE QUIZ?

ANOTHER REVIEW OF THE DOMAINS

Sorry, that is not the correct answer. This comment applies to a different domain.

Or, you can review the explanation of the domains one more time.

TRY AGAIN

BACK TO THE DOMAINS

You got it! This comment applies to Domain 1.

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Congratulations! This comment applies to Domain 2.

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You are an expert! This comment applies to Domain 3.

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Fantastic! This comment applies to Domain 4.

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You have successfully completed this tutorial on Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching. For more information about the framework, check out this link.

http://charlottedanielson.com/index.htm

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