Classroom Best Practice Spotlight: OTR

This week I want to focus the classroom best practice of Opportunities to Respond (OTR). When using OTR we as teachers want to present an instructional question, statement or gesture with the goal of an academic response from our students. Research has shown us that by providing students with OTR there will be less disruptive behaviors in the classroom and more on-task behaviors in the classroom. The students will be more engaged because they will get an opportunity to play a role in their learning. The class will run more smoothly because the students will be more likely to be on-task and engaged rather than off-task and showing disruptive behavior, the less time you as a teacher will have to manage the disruptive behavior without worrying that it affect the class. Using OTR also gives the teacher a chance to reach ALL the learning styles of the students. OTR can be used verbally, nonverbally, in groups, individually and as a whole class. OTR is an easy practice to incorporate throughout instruction and is a simple way to gain insight in the students understanding. One important thing we want to remember when using OTR is to make sure to give students AT LEAST 5-10 seconds before asking for a response, we need to give them some time to gather their thoughts then ask for them to share. I believe if we find ways to give students a voice in the learning process they will be more excited and willing to learn. No child wants to be told they have to do something, but if we can find a way to reach our goals while giving the students a voice in their learning, I think we will have higher success in education. My final thought: Give students OTR, they want to learn, we just have to give them a chance to express themselves!