Domain 3

Learning Experiences

Definition

Definition
- Explains how to engage students within the classroom and thus enhance student learning and growth.
- Through positive learning experiences, teachers can show students their strengths, motivate good habits and behavior, encourage individual interests in learning, as well as help students to be motivated, gain confidence, and persevere in everything they work on.
- Domain three is really a huge reflection of implementing Domains 1 and 2 in the classroom.
Components
- Communicating About Purpose and Content
- Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
- Engaging Students in Learning
- Using Assessments for Learning
- Responding Flexibility to Student’s Needs

Definition
- Teacher properly explains and describes the purposes of learning, why one should complete a learning activity, and communicates the curriculum itself in an understandable fashion for the specific grade level of students
Elements
- Purpose for Learning and Criteria for Success
- Specific Expectations
- Explanations of Content
- Use of Academic Language
Example
- Starting off a lesson with an activity that challenges students to collaborate and discuss what the purpose of the activity is (this is a reflection on whether students understand why they do things in your classroom), then the teacher must explain the real purpose of the activity so students can get a better understanding of why they are completing it.

Definition:
Including questions and discussion in the classroom to promote student engagement with the content and motivate students to dig deeper into the curriculum of the subject.
Elements
- Critical Thinking and Deeper Learning
- Reasoning and Reflection
- Student Participation
Example
- Putting all chairs in the classroom into a circle and having a ball that is thrown and caught (by the person who can speak) to allow one person at a time to explain their views on a controversial topic (friendly discussion of different ideas should be encouraged, explaining that it is important to understand and listen to different student's point of view).

Definition
- Teachers are held accountable for allowing the students to actively learn in engaging experiences.
Elements
- Rich Learning Experiences
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Use of Instructional Materials and Resources
- Opportunities for Thinking and Reflection
Example
- Bringing the students on a field trip regarding what they are learning in science about different insects and having them record what insects they see and their descriptions on a nature walk. This makes the learning in the classroom more “life-like” for the kids as they can see how what they learned about can be applied in real life as well as learn other tactics to observe and record what they see.

Definition
- Uses summative and formative assessments to see whether students understand the curriculum, whether they are progressing toward their goals, whether they have fully learned what they need to know, and so that in the future, they can meet such goals.
Elements
- Clear Standards for Success
- Monitoring Student Understanding
- Timely and Constructive Feedback
Example
- Giving students a quiz on what they just learned in history class and allowing them to grade it themselves (to see what they need to understand and memorize for the big test later).

Definition
- Making good decisions and being flexible regarding whether students are engaged if a student needs more explanation, and if a student's well-being needs to have more attention at a specific moment.
Elements
- Evidence-based Adjustments
- Receptiveness
- Responsiveness
- Determination
- Persistence
Example
- Adjusting lesson plans (and moving the test back) if students were severely struggling to understand fractions and explaining it to them in a more engaging concrete way so that they fully grasp the concept.