As has been stated, Instructional Approaches: A Framework For Professional Practice does not serve as a quick reference for the array of instructional practices that are presently used in Saskatchewan schools. Nor does it pretend to indicate that the ideas it offers are completely new or innovative. The recent Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation Study of Teaching (Gallen & Bold, 1989) documented that, among Saskatchewan teachers, a range of instructional approaches is employed to meet student learning needs. Several of the concluding observations of that study are pertinent to this document:
Teachers need to employ a variety of instructional approaches in order to enhance the art of teaching and meet the objectives of Directions: The Final Report, particularly those related to meeting individual student learning needs through the Adaptive Dimension and through the development of the Common Essential Learnings. However, it is not sufficient to promote an array of instructional approaches without providing an environment to support changes in professional practice. This support must come from all levels of the educational system -Saskatchewan Education, school divisions, schools, teachers, and students.
The mandate of Saskatchewan Education is to develop curricula and curriculum policies. These must be accompanied by opportunities for school divisions, schools, and teachers to become familiar with the curricula and the means to put them into practice in the classroom. Similarly, teachers must empower students by providing them with curriculum content appropriate to their abilities, and by fostering active learning. The teacher, because he or she is making the instructional choices, is critical.
As in other areas of professional development, there are many ways for teachers to enhance their expertise. Saskatchewan educators are fortunate to have many opportunities available for further study of instruction:
Instructional Approaches: A Framework for Professional Practice provides a basis for further professional development. Saskatchewan Education has prepared a Staff Development Program that is available to each school staff. The print and videotape materials are available to schools through an in-service package distributed to each school division. School staffs will be encouraged to build on this inservice with group and individual study of the materials provided. The materials will present an in-depth examination of several of the most common instructional strategies and methods.
The Staff Development Program will:
The staff development program includes the following:
This document has extended an invitation to individual teachers, administrators, and school staffs to explore the topic of instruction. Through involvement with the Staff Development Program, Saskatchewan Education is sharing the responsibility for further professional development with all those involved in education in Saskatchewan.
Defining and describing the instructional approaches presented in this document has been an exciting and challenging endeavour. It has been exciting because it has helped to focus thinking about teaching and learning. It has been challenging because instruction and the adaptive dimension truly bring the elements of Core Curriculum together in a coherent whole. Directions: The Final Report provided a vision for better educational opportunities for young people of Saskatchewan. This document, Instructional Approaches: A Framework for Professional Practice, in the most precise terms invites professional educators to continue to shape that vision through reflection upon instructional practice. Supporting such reflection with a firm commitment to professional action will make the vision a reality.