Module 12: Collaborative Planning for Instruction

There are many factors to consider when planning for instruction. Ralph Tyler, one of the most prominent names in American educational studies and author of the bestselling book, Basic Principles of Curriculum and Instruction (Tyler, 1949), suggests four key questions to ask when planning for instruction: (a) “What educational purpose and objective(s) should the teacher identify?”; (b) “What educational experiences can be selected that address the attainment of the purpose or objective?”; (c) “How can these educational experiences be effectively organized?”; and (d) “How can teachers assess whether the educational purpose was achieved?” These questions written nearly seven decades ago are still relevant for teachers today. The importance of teacher collaboration is yet another important factor to consider when planning for instruction (Friend & Cook, 2017). Effective collaborative plans used within a co-teaching context must incorporate clear goals and learning objectives, as well as selected co-teaching strategies that best address individual student learning needs.