Coherence in Instruction
The word, ‘coherence’ is defined in two ways: one, ‘the quality of being logically consistent’ while the other refers to the ‘quality of forming a unified structure’. In other words, ‘coherence’ is the situation when the parts of something fit together in a natural or logical way with a clear relationship between parts, especially in a work of literature, speech, or classroom teaching. In teaching, logical consistency is very important because fragmented pieces of information will not help students to figure out the information as a whole.
Designing coherent instruction is an important component of effective teaching. For an effective presentation of the concepts, the materials should be structured coherently in a logical manner. For example, students may not be ready to get into the details of the subject from the very beginning. So, the most effective way to present the concept is to start with an introduction and then get to the main points. Finally, use the remaining part of the lesson for a quick wrap-up to help students to better memorize what they have learned.
A well-designed and coherently structured lesson plan consists of three key sections: an opening, the main part, and the conclusion. It is equally important to use logical transitions when switching from one topic to another. Transitions keep students engaged and make the materials more cohesive. Studies and research highlight the importance of openings, transitions, and conclusions, but they are not given due importance. Most of the teachers simply plan the materials for the class but don’t plan how exactly they will help in learning.
In order to make the material coherent, there must be clear links between the teacher’s knowledge objectives, the learning activities, and the processes designed to achieve those objectives. There should be a connection between each activity; building on a previous activity and contributing to the following activity. The teacher should be able to readily explain why a particular activity is given and how this activity is related to earlier or later learning activities and to the objectives and planned assessments.
Starting a lesson with an overview enables students to quickly evaluate their existing knowledge and helps teachers identify areas that may need additional explanation. An effective conclusion makes the students able to think about how the material of the lesson relates to the general goals of the course and its real-life applications. Moreover, providing some background information related to the content of the next lesson helps students understand what they should focus on and what topics they need to research further.
Providing a cohesive learning experience is a challenge. Teachers need to change their approaches to assure student engagement and an easy understanding of the materials. They can make their lessons more coherent by maintaining a clear, logical structure. Introductions, closings, transitions, and other boundary markers can help students understand the material easier. These elements, together with effective communication, help teachers ensure a consistent learning experience, no matter whether the classes are offline or online.