Principals often ask how they can assign EdHub modules to their teachers based on classroom observation scores. Now, EdHub has a set of modules designed just for that purpose.

Here’s everything you need to know.

The modules are located in the EdHub topic called “Building Instructional Skills.”

Each of the assignment modules focuses on one NEE Indicator.

As of February 2023, modules are available for 10 of the NEE indicators of effective teaching practice that have the most impact on student learning:

  • 1.1: The teacher demonstrates content knowledge through academic language.
  • 1.2: The teacher cognitively engages students in the content.
  • 2.6b: The teacher incorporates culturally responsive strategies in the classroom.
  • 4.1: The teacher uses instructional strategies that lead students to problem-solving and critical thinking.
  • 4.2: The teacher effectively uses appropriate instructional resources to enhance student learning.
  • 5.1: The teacher uses motivation strategies that affectively engage students.
  • 5.2: The teacher manages time, space, transitions, and activities.
  • 5.3: The teacher uses strategies that promote kindness and social competence among students in the classroom community.
  • 5.3b: The teacher establishes secure teacher-student relationships.
  • 7.4: The teacher monitors the effect of instruction on the whole class and individual learning.

Each module contains three activities.

Introducing the Skills (for scores 0-2)

This activity is intended for the teacher who received a score of 0, 1 or 2 on a classroom observation for that indicator. The content of the activity focuses on providing a definition of the skill, a summary of the research that establishes the skill as an effective instructional practice and a description of the expectations for that skill based on the NEE Indicator rubric. This section also provides an explanation of what is likely to be missing from a teacher’s instructional practice if they received a low score on that indicator.

Advancing the Skills (for scores 3-5)

This activity is intended for the teacher who received a score of 3, 4, or 5. The content of this activity provides an explanation of what is likely to be missing from the teacher’s instructional practice and breaks down the differences between the middle and high scores on that indicator. The activity offers suggestions for overcoming common problems in the effective use of the skill.

Tasks for the Introducing and Advancing the Skills activities lead teachers to analyze their current instructional practice based on the score they received and the NEE rubric. Using a Teacher Learning Organizer, the teacher identifies the ways they are currently meeting expectations during the classroom observation. Next, the teacher creates a plan identifying a set of strategies to be incorporated or expanded to meet a higher level of expectations.

The plan should identify:

  • Specific lessons
  • Specific strategies to be used
  • Description of how the strategies will be used
  • Description of how the plan will meet a higher level of expectations on the rubric
  • The teacher submits their Learning Organizer after a practice period to reflect on the success of their plan, how the changes made have worked for the teacher and students, and to determine the need for further changes.

Instructional Strategies (for all teachers)

This activity provides a number of instructional strategies that can be used to meet the NEE rubric expectations. Each strategy description outlines the steps for effective use and how it supports the identified instructional skill. This section is designed for use by all teachers regardless of their score on classroom observations.

Remember:

  • Scores of 0, 1, 2 = Introducing the Skill
  • Scores of 3, 4, 5 = Advancing the Skill
  • All teachers can make use of the Strategies activity.

So, how are these modules assigned to teachers?

At this time, principals must still “assign” the activities to teachers verbally during the feedback conference that follows a classroom observation. The assignment can also be noted in the comments section on the classroom observation report or even included as a part of a professional development plan. The principal can review the tasks completed by the teacher and comment on completion and/or improvement in the classroom observation report.

In addition to independent work on topics in EdHub, administrators can set up groups of teachers to collaborate by grade level, content area, beginning teacher status or focus indicator.

To access the modules in EdHub:

  • After logging in to the NEE Data Tool, click the EdHub button on the left-side menu bar.
  • Scroll down to the “Building Instructional Skills” topic and click the icon.
  • Click the appropriate indicator.
  • Click the appropriate activity icon and the start button.

Take a look and let us know what you think by emailing us at nee@missouri.edu.