A Strategies Playbook
Over on Linked In, Paul Matthews shared a Pedagogy Playbook&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A(7287123491479339008%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7286907136465387521)).
Paul has a powerful idea about all these strategies and it’s worth highlighting that, which I do further below.
Some Modifications
I thought Paul’s Pedagogy Playbook was great but wanted to add a few additional strategies that I’m covering in my sessions at the TCEA 2025 Convention and Exposition event. I also thought it might be fun to align them to:
- The Phase of Learning (or Learning Intention). These include John Hattie’s Surface, Deep, and Transfer Learning phases.
- The SOLO Taxonomy. This taxonomy is focused on describing student learning.
- Digital Tools. I also thought I’d throw in a few digital tools.
Now, what you might find strange is that this table below was generated using The Evidence-Based Teaching Coach, an MGpt I developed using ChatGPT Custom GPT. It’s an all-purpose tool that I’ll be unveiling during my Convention sessions because, “Who wouldn’t want to have access to high-effect sized instructional strategies and how they connect to all the different components?”
Should you find errors, please feel free to drop a comment or reach out to me on BlueSky.
Reducing Strategies and Digital Tools
Special thanks to Paul Matthews for the inspiration. I DO encourage you to adopt Paul’s approach of reducing the number of strategies and technologies you use in your classroom:
This year I’m radically reducing the kinds of activities I do in class. Here’s why I made the cull and the 4 activities I’ll focus on: First, here’s the why. I spent much of my summer reflecting (I’m in Australia - it’s summer here!). I realised that I do too many tasks too infrequently. My desire for creative pedagogy wasn’t letting my students develop mastery of the different tasks. If I’m doing a different thinking routine each week, the learners spend a lot of time just trying to understand the task before they even complete it.
This is spot-on and I agree with this. It’s so tempting to try to use every strategy imaginable with your class.
A Strategies Playbook: Phases of Learning with SOLO Taxonomy
Here are the strategies. You can access a Google Docs version and get a copy.
Strategy
Phase of Learning
Description
SOLO Taxonomy Level
Feedback
Core
Provide actionable information to reduce the gap between current and desired performance. Feedback can be oral, written, or through digital tools (e.g., Microsoft OneNote, Google Classroom comments, EdPuzzle).
Relational
Reinforcement and Cues
Core
Use prompts and reinforcement strategies to emphasize key points and guide students toward goals (e.g., Nearpod, Quizlet, ClassDojo).
Multistructural
Chalk Talk
Surface Learning
Share thoughts and questions silently by writing them down. Promotes reflection, builds ideas, and encourages connections (e.g., digital whiteboards, Padlet).
Multistructural
Note-taking
Surface Learning
Capture key information systematically to aid recall and understanding. Tools like LunaNotes can integrate with videos for enhanced learning (e.g., LunaNotes, Microsoft OneNote).
Multistructural
Quick Write
Surface Learning
Write briefly on a topic to organize initial thoughts or responses before sharing (e.g., Google Docs, Microsoft Word).
Multistructural
Sentence Stems
Surface Learning
Start responses using structured sentence starters to build clear, confident communication (e.g., Google Docs, Microsoft Teams chat).
Multistructural
The Jigsaw Method
Surface & Deep Learning
Break content into segments; students become experts on their segment and teach peers. Surface learning introduces foundational knowledge, while deep learning builds collaborative understanding (e.g., Padlet Video Record, Google Slides, Zoom Breakout Rooms).
Relational
Retrieval Practice
Surface Learning
Recall and retrieve information through quizzes or prompts to enhance memory retention (e.g., Quizizz, Blooket, Kahoot, Podsie).
Multistructural
Flipped Classroom
Surface Learning
Introduce foundational content through pre-class activities, enabling deeper in-class engagement (e.g., EdPuzzle, Loom, Screencastify, YouTube).
Multistructural
3-2-1 Reflection
Deep Learning
Summarize learning by noting three learned things, two questions, and one surprising idea (e.g., Google Forms, Padlet Video Record).
Relational
Reciprocal Teaching
Deep Learning
Engage in summarizing, questioning, clarifying, and predicting collaboratively to understand a text deeply (e.g., Google Docs for collaborative notes, Microsoft Teams).
Relational
Concept Mapping
Deep Learning
Create visual representations of relationships between concepts to enhance understanding (e.g., Lucidchart, Padlet, Coggle).
Relational
Think-Pair-Share
Deep Learning
Reflect, discuss with a partner, and share ideas. Enhances communication and collaborative thinking (e.g., Padlet, Zoom Breakout Rooms, Microsoft Teams).
Relational
Outlining and Summarizing
Deep Learning
Distill main ideas and details from a text or presentation to support comprehension and retention (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Notion).
Relational
Metacognition Strategies
Deep Learning
Guide students to think about their own thinking processes, helping them plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning (e.g., Padlet, Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote).
Relational
Classroom Discussion
Deep Learning
Engage in meaningful dialogue to connect ideas and deepen understanding through collaborative discourse (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams).
Relational
ABC Brainstorming
Deep Learning
Engage students in retrieving and organizing prior knowledge using structured brainstorming activities (e.g., digital whiteboards, Padlet).
Relational
Self-Reported Grades
Transfer Learning
Encourage students to predict their performance and reflect on outcomes. This develops self-regulation and a growth mindset (e.g., Google Forms, Poll Everywhere, Padlet Video Record).
Relational
Transfer Strategies
Transfer Learning
Apply learned concepts to new scenarios or contexts, fostering adaptability and deeper comprehension (e.g., Miro, Google Slides, Padlet).
Extended Abstract
Service Learning
Transfer Learning
Combine learning objectives with community service to enhance real-world connections and application (e.g., Project management tools like Trello, Asana).
Extended Abstract
Problem-Solving Teaching
Transfer Learning
Apply knowledge and skills to address complex problems or real-world scenarios (e.g., Minecraft Education Edition, Scratch).
Extended Abstract
What other strategies would you add or include? Want to read more? Check out the Amazing Lesson Design Outline (ALDO).