This document provides five tips for teachers to improve their explanations: 1) Link new concepts to prior knowledge by starting with a quiz or discussion. 2) Break explanations into simple steps. 3) Use concrete examples and analogies to explain abstract ideas. 4) Ask effective questions rather than just talking. 5) Keep explanations focused on key terms and have students restate the explanations in their own words.

1. Five tricks to improve teacher explanation

2. 1. Link it to what students already know.
• You could …
• start with a short quiz;
• link it to a previous topic;
• start with a short discussion.

3. 2. Break it into simple steps.

4. 3. Transform abstract ideas into concrete ones.
Prof. Brian Cox explains quantum mechanics in one minute

5. 4. Don’t talk less, talk better.

6. 5. Keep it razor sharp.
• Keep instructions short and
simple.
• Focus on the key terms for your
explanation.
• Ask students to repeat your
instructions.
• Ask them to give their own
version of your explanations.

7. Your challenge: focus on explanation.
1. Link it to what students already know (quizzes, discussion).
2. Break learning into small steps (use modelling and pictures).
3. Make abstract ideas into concrete ones (use analogy).
4. Don’t talk less, talk better (effective questioning).
5. Keep it razor sharp (focus on key language).