REACTION PAPER on the REPORT PRESENTED on INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Providing effective instructional leadership is one challenge that every principal faces. In addition to managing schedules, hosting assemblies, and disciplining students, principals are expected to possess the knowledge and skill to make a positive impact on the teaching and learning process. Therefore, various Instructional Strategies are used by most principals to achieve such goals. Instructional leadership can take many forms, from ensuring that highquality teaching materials are readily available and scheduling professional development to conducting formal observations and modeling lessons. But one essential component of instructional leadership, say many experts, is the interaction of the principal with teachers about their classroom practice. This was discussed in the report through the use of Explicit Teaching which involves directing learner attention toward specific learning in a highly structured environment. It is teaching that is focused on producing specific learning outcomes . A strategy used by many principals to gather classroom information and frame that

interaction is the classroom learning walk or walk-through. The walk-through can be defined as a brief, structured, non evaluative classroom observation by the principal that is followed by a conversation between the principal and the teacher about what was observed. Used well, the walk-through can provide both principal and teacher with valuable information about the status of the schools instructional program. This is one example of the indirect instruction. In indirect instruction, the role of the teacher shifts from lecturer/director to that of facilitator, supporter, and resource person. The teacher arranges the learning environment, provides opportunity for student involvement, and, when appropriate, provides feedback to students while they conduct the inquiry. Case studies are stories or scenarios, often in narrative form, created and used as a tool for analysis and discussion. They have a long tradition of use in higher education particularly in business and law. Cases are often based on actual events which add a sense of urgency or reality. Case studies have elements of simulations but the students are observers rather than participants.

A good case has sufficient detail to necessitate research and to stimulate analysis from a variety of viewpoints or perspectives. They place the learner in the position of problem solver. Students become actively engaged in the materials discovering underlying issues, dilemmas and conflict issues. This case study as a strategy for instructional supervision can be an effective one if it is used as a means to correct any actions done wrongly in the past. The cases of teachers negative inputs can be corrected through the analytical study of the factors that could have contributed to such actions. Reflective Discussion encourages students to think and talk about what they have observed, heard or read. Supervisors can use it effectively to extend personal responses by considering the views of others. Cooperative Learning is one way of providing students with a well defined framework from which to learn from each other. Students work towards fulfilling academic and social skill goals that are clearly stated. It is a team approach where the success of the group depends upon everyone. Cooperation of each of the members in a faculty, school or office is a must. This strategy; cooperative learning can be made possible if the principal or supervisor can create an atmosphere that will ask for the cooperation of each member. Setting the goal and objectives, and then creating committees to assume responsibility makes way for better cooperation and work relationship among teachers/learners. There are indeed a number of strategies a teacher, a supervisor or principal can use to manage the learner or subordinates, and each one can work well with all the others especially when carefully planned. Knowing also for whom the strategy will be applied upon will also help in the effective implementation and execution of any task. As a whole strategies should be coupled with good intentions and actions with a heart.

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