Explicit Teaching in HSC Business Studies

Students in the new HSC Business Studies course have been explicitly taught how to write extended responses in preparation for their upcoming assessment task. Explicit Teaching involves the teacher clearly showing students what to do and how to do it, rather than having students discover that information themselves. This teaching practice is one of eight evidence-based practices which improves student educational outcomes. In the Business Studies Class, student have completed a number of practice extended responses over the past three lessons. For each question, the class unpacked the question and made a brief essay plan. The class then jointly constructed the introduction and first body paragraph. Following this, students wrote the remainder of the essay, with the teacher providing feedback on their responses. This activity has increased student confidence with writing and prepared them well for the assessment task later this term. Explicit Teaching a focus of the NSW Department of Education, and thus at Moruya High School.