ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the idea of best pedagogical practice in learning and teaching, and ways to enhance student engagement through quality teaching. It compares and contrasts upper primary, middle and secondary pedagogy with a view to proposing a best education practice model which is appropriate for the age and developmental stage of middle years students. Pedagogical effectiveness is at the core of effective middle years education, as it is about ‘an intentional approach to teaching and learning that is responsive and appropriate to the full range of needs, interests and achievements of middle years students in formal and informal schooling contexts’. The teaching space should provide a sense of connection, safety and distinctiveness and should enable flexibility for group work and collaboration and for reshaping groups according to need. The self-efficacy beliefs teachers hold about their ability to teach subjects shape their competence in teaching.
