Maximising Teaching Effectiveness with High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS)

High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) have been recognised as essential tools for improving student outcomes and enhancing teaching quality. Designed to support evidence-based teaching practices, HITS provide a framework for educators to implement strategies that have been proven to significantly impact student learning.

This article explores these strategies, their practical applications, and their alignment with current educational goals, particularly within the NSW curriculum context. Whether you’re seeking a quick overview or an in-depth understanding, this guide will serve as a valuable resource for integrating HITS into your school’s teaching practices. With comprehensive resources and tools specifically designed to align with HITS, Learnable can play a pivotal role in streamlining the implementation of these strategies in your school.

What are High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS)?

High Impact Teaching Strategies, or HITS, are a set of instructional methods identified through research as having a substantial effect on student learning outcomes. Developed by the Victorian Department of Education, these strategies offer a structured approach for educators aiming to enhance their teaching practices. The ten strategies include setting goals, structuring lessons, explicit teaching, worked examples, collaborative learning, multiple exposures, questioning, feedback, metacognitive strategies, and differentiation.

Key points:

• Evidence-based: Each strategy is grounded in research, making them reliable tools for improving classroom practice.
• Versatility: HITS can be adapted across different subjects and educational contexts, making them applicable for a broad range of teaching environments.
• Focus on Student Outcomes: The primary goal is to improve student learning by refining teaching methods.

Why HITS Matter: Aligning Teaching Strategies with Evidence

Evidence-based teaching is crucial for achieving effective learning outcomes. HITS provide a structured approach that aligns with evidence, ensuring that the strategies employed in classrooms are not just traditional practices but are backed by solid research. The impact of these strategies has been documented in multiple studies, showing improved student engagement, retention, and performance across various educational settings.

Benefits of Implementing HITS:

1. Improved student outcomes: By focusing on methods that have a proven impact, educators can more effectively target areas for student improvement.
2. Enhanced teaching efficacy: Teachers can develop more effective lesson plans and instructional methods that cater to diverse learning needs.
3. Consistency in teaching quality: HITS offer a common framework for teaching, which can help standardise quality across different classes and subjects.

“Implementing evidence-based strategies like HITS is a critical step in elevating teaching standards and achieving better educational outcomes.”

How Learnable can help

Learnable’s in-built analytics and reporting tools enable teachers and department heads to monitor the effectiveness of HITS in real-time, providing insights into student performance and areas for further focus. This data-driven approach ensures that the implementation of HITS is both targeted and measurable.

Exploring each High Impact Teaching strategy

1. Setting goals

Setting clear, measurable goals helps focus teaching efforts and aligns them with student learning needs. Effective goal-setting involves both teacher-directed goals for the class and personal goals set by students, promoting ownership of learning.

• Application: Use SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) for goal-setting in lesson planning and student assessments.
  For example, a teacher might set a goal for students to complete a science experiment by the end of the week, with each student creating a detailed lab report that meets specific criteria.
• Tip: Regularly revisit and adjust goals based on student progress. Learnable’s platform allows teachers to set and track learning goals for individual students, making it easy to tailor instruction and monitor progress over time. This feature helps keep both teachers and students accountable and focused on their objectives.

2. Structuring lessons

Well-structured lessons provide a clear roadmap for learning, reducing cognitive load and helping students follow along more easily.

• Application: Begin lessons with clear learning intentions and success criteria. Use a consistent lesson structure with defined stages such as introduction, exploration, practice, and review.
  For example, a history lesson could start with a brief introduction to a historical period, followed by an exploration of key events, student practice with primary sources, and a final review discussion.
• Tip: Utilise templates and checklists to maintain lesson consistency across different subjects.

3. Explicit teaching

Explicit teaching involves clear and direct instruction, where learning intentions and success criteria are made transparent to students.

• Application: Break down complex information into manageable chunks. Model skills and thinking processes explicitly before asking students to practice independently. For example, in an English lesson on essay writing, a teacher might first model how to structure an introduction, providing step-by-step instructions before asking students to write their own introductions.
• Tip: Incorporate think-aloud strategies to make your thought process visible to students.

How Learnable can help

Learnable’s resources include visual aids that support teachers in breaking down complex concepts into student-friendly formats, facilitating clearer and more effective instruction.

4. Worked examples

Worked examples help reduce cognitive load and allow students to understand the process involved in problem-solving before attempting tasks independently.

• Application: Use worked examples in subjects like mathematics and science to demonstrate step-by-step problem-solving.
  For instance, before students attempt solving quadratic equations independently, a teacher could present a worked example that demonstrates each step of the solution process.
• Tip: Gradually increase task complexity as students become more competent.

How Learnable can help

With access to a wide range of worked examples and scaffolded activities, Learnable helps teachers provide students with clear, step-by-step guides that reinforce learning.

5. Collaborative learning

Encouraging collaboration among students helps build teamwork skills and allows for shared learning experiences, enhancing understanding through peer interaction.

• Application: Incorporate group work and peer discussions regularly. Use roles within groups to ensure all students participate.
  For example, in a group science project, assign specific roles such as researcher, recorder, and presenter to ensure each student contributes equally.
• Tip: Use collaborative digital tools, such as shared documents or interactive whiteboards, to facilitate cooperation.

6. Multiple exposures

Multiple exposures to content help reinforce learning and improve retention. This strategy ensures that students encounter the material through various methods and contexts.

• Application: Use a spiral curriculum approach where key concepts are revisited with increasing complexity over time.
  For example, when teaching fractions, revisit the concept across multiple lessons, gradually increasing the difficulty of the problems students encounter.
• Tip: Employ varied formats such as videos, hands-on activities, and discussions to reinforce learning.

7. Questioning

Effective questioning can stimulate thinking, engage students, and assess understanding. Questioning techniques range from simple recall questions to higher-order thinking prompts.

• Application: Use Bloom’s Taxonomy as a guide to formulate questions that push students beyond basic recall to analysis and evaluation.
  For example, after a lesson on photosynthesis, ask students to not only recall the process but also explain how changes in light intensity might affect the rate of photosynthesis.
• Tip: Incorporate wait time after asking questions to give students time to think and respond thoughtfully.

How Learnable can help

Learnable’s assessment tools include a range of question types that cater to different levels of understanding, from basic recall to advanced critical thinking, helping teachers implement effective questioning strategies with ease.

8. Feedback

Providing timely and specific feedback helps students understand their progress and identify areas for improvement. Feedback should be constructive and linked to learning goals.

• Application: Use a mix of oral, written, and digital feedback methods. Incorporate student self-assessment as a feedback tool.
  For example, after completing a writing assignment, ask students to assess their own work using a rubric before receiving teacher feedback.
• Tip: Frame feedback positively and focus on actionable steps for improvement.

How Learnable can help

Learnable’s platform offers automated feedback options for quizzes and assignments, as well as tools for personalised teacher feedback, making it easier to provide timely and constructive responses that guide student learning.

9. Metacognitive strategies

Metacognition involves teaching students to think about their own thinking. By developing metacognitive skills, students can become more independent and self-regulated learners.

• Application: Use reflection prompts and learning journals. Teach students to plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning processes.
  For example, after completing a maths problem, ask students to reflect on which strategies they used, what challenges they encountered, and how they might approach a similar problem in the future.

10. Differentiation

Differentiation involves tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of students. It includes adjusting content, process, product, and learning environment based on student readiness, interest, and learning profile.

• Application: Use data from assessments to inform differentiated instruction. Provide multiple pathways for students to demonstrate understanding. For example, for a literature assignment, offer options such as writing an essay, creating a presentation, or producing a video to cater to different learning preferences.
• Tip: Use technology to offer adaptive learning experiences that cater to individual student needs.

How Learnable can help

Learnable’s adaptive learning pathways allow teachers to differentiate instruction effortlessly, offering students customised content that matches their learning level and pace.

Implementing HITS in your school: Practical considerations

1. Professional development: Training is crucial for successful implementation. Consider workshops, coaching, and peer observations to build teacher capacity in using HITS.

2. Leadership support: School leaders play a critical role in fostering a culture that values and supports the use of HITS. Leadership should provide ongoing support and resources for teachers.

3. Monitoring and evaluation: Regularly monitor the impact of HITS on student outcomes. Use data to refine strategies and ensure they are meeting the needs of both students and teachers. Learnable enables leaders to monitor the effectiveness of HITS through detailed reporting and analytics tools, allowing for data-driven decisions that enhance teaching and learning outcomes.

Conclusion

High Impact Teaching Strategies offer a robust framework for enhancing teaching quality and student outcomes. By incorporating these evidence-based methods, schools can create a more effective and engaging learning environment. As a Head of Department, embracing HITS not only supports your teachers but also drives consistent and measurable improvements in student learning. Learnable’s platform provides the resources, tools, and support necessary to implement these strategies seamlessly, making it easier than ever to elevate teaching standards and achieve better educational outcomes. Start by integrating these strategies into your school’s professional development plan and classroom practices to see the transformative impact of HITS in action.

Written by June Heo