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In the Beginning...

In the 1960's the staff of William Balmain Teachers College in Sydney, Australia undertook an analysis of teaching and identified a number of basic lesson approaches. They found that irrespective of teaching content or subject matter, good teaching followed set patterns, or procedures which would lead to efficient learning by students of all ages.

They recognised that lessons could be classified in many ways but decided to focus on several fundamental features, namely:

• The aims
• The methods
• The roles played by the trainer and the participants.

After identifying a number of basic lesson procedures, a lesson preparation format was developed in which the procedure was differentiated from content. All trainee teachers were required to develop their lessons using the basic lesson procedures and the lesson preparation format.

At this time, each of the teachers colleges enjoyed a close relationship with demonstration schools. As the name implies, these schools functioned to provide quality teaching demonstrations in a classroom setting. Demonstration teachers were chosen on the basis of ability and experience.Those who taught at Balmain Demonstration School and at North Sydney Demonstration School were obliged to adapt the Balmain College's basic lesson procedures and preparation formats.

Over a two year period, Balmain College trainees would witness approximately 80 demonstration lessons in the Kindergarten to Grade 6 Primary /Elementary class range. With follow up discussions and written critiques accompanying the sample demonstration lesson notes, it was considered that the William Balmain graduates were amply prepared for their entry into the teaching profession.

This site is intended to offer guidance to anyone who has an interest in teaching, training or assisting the learning process. The terms "teacher", "presenter" or "trainer" are interchangeable in this context as are the terms "student", "pupil", "participant" or "trainee". The choice of words will depend upon your teaching environment and the age and composition of your class, group or intake.