Theory on Teaching Effectiveness at Meta, General and Partial Level

Abstract

This chapter focuses on theories in the context of educational effectiveness research. Three levels of theory are distinguished: (1) The meta-theoretical level uses a multi-level framework of measurable facets of educational quality to provide a structure into studying teaching and its effects on student learning. (2) The general theory of teaching effectiveness focuses on major substantive dimensions of pro-active, interactive, and retro-active strategies as well as “structured independence”. (3) Partial theories are more specific in being closely tied to empirical outcomes, with “direct teaching” and tentative explanatory mechanisms in the realm of providing emotional support in classroom teaching being two examples. The three levels are considered to discuss the value of theories for research on teaching and its effects on student learning.