Co-Teaching Models

Co-Teaching Models

Model	Benefits	Drawbacks
Teaming: teachers alternate taking the lead	+can create a very engaging classroom +is very rewarding to teachers	-requires a large amount of trust -can be difficult for a new teacher -teachers need to be able to mesh their styles of teaching
One Teaching, One Observing: one teacher instructs class while one observes behaviours and collects data	+data can be very useful when considering teaching practices and student strengths/needs	-can be overused and create a power imbalance -can be distracting to students
One Teaching, One Assisting: one teacher instructs class while one helps students with questions, keeps them on task, etc.	+requires little joint planning time +can give shy/quiet students a chance to receive help +can help reduce student distraction	-can be overused and cause a power imbalance -can be distracting to have a teacher moving/hovering -can create dependent learners -can block peer assistance and interaction
Station Teaching: students move from one station to the next, each taught by one teacher supervising a section of info/activities	+gives teachers equal roles and power +instruction is balanced between teachers (time/pace) +allows for independent work +allows for different MIs and styles +supports DI	-noise level can be increased -can lead to separation of students into segregated/opposing groups -increased transition time
Parallel Teaching: teachers divide the class and teach the same content at the same time (many varieties)	+lower student-teacher ratios +increased student participation	-increased noise -can be hard to maintain same pace -both teachers need to be strong in content area
Alternative Teaching: a small group of students are taught by one teacher for specialized or alternative instruction while the rest of the class is taught by the other teacher	+can help for students who were absent +can help students who are struggling with content +can engage students who are already competent with content	-can draw attention-seeking students -can cause stigmatization if the groupings are static -can create a “class within a class,” where the SpEd students are basically segregated despite being in the GenEd class