What do all the terms mean in the GTT?

Evidence Based Education (EBE) – the organisation behind the Great Teaching Toolkit; our aim it to enhance teaching and learning expertise through research-led professional learning.

The Great Teaching Toolkit (GTT) - our online platform that supports teachers to set meaningful goals, gather feedback about their practice, build knowledge and develop expertise. 

The Model for Great Teaching – a framework for teacher development based on the best available evidence about the things that teachers know, do and believe that have the greatest impact on student outcomes.  

Elements of Great Teaching – based on the best available international research evidence these are what our research team at EBE has identified as the things that teachers know, do and believe in that have the biggest impact on learning. There are 17 ‘elements’ across 4 ‘dimensions’ that comprise our Model for Great Teaching, and this model underpins everything that you see in the GTT.

Great Teaching Coordinator - the person within a school who is responsible for managing the implementation of the Great Teaching Toolkit.  

Great Teaching Assistant Coordinator – the Coordinator may also designate an Assistant Great Teaching Coordinator(s) to support them in leading the implementation of the GTT.

Great Teaching Advisor - an EBE specialist who supports schools to plan, implement, and make best use of the GTT. As a schools GTT Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator, you may be in regular contact with this person, or you may just speak to them once in a while, but they are there to help you! If you are ever unsure who your advisor is, you can contact our wider team of advisors.

Development cycles – a development cycle provides a space for teachers to set meaningful goals based on feedback, build their understanding, develop new skills and change classroom habits for the better. A development cycle offers a structured way for teachers to engage with the different tools within the GTT platform, and provides a personalised workspace for teachers to record and reflect on their professional development. You can find out more about Development Cycles here.

Foundation course – our short introductory course which introduces the Model for Great Teaching and some of the core concepts that underpin in, as well as how to use the platform effectively.  

Courses – asynchronous online learning modules hosted on the GTT that explore key dimensions of the Model for Great Teaching. Courses are designed to deepen understanding, build skills, and guide practical application in the classroom.

Resource library – a curated collection of high-quality resources, including research summaries, articles, videos, and blogs designed to support teachers and leaders with their professional learning. You can find out more about the resource library here. 

Techniques – practical, evidence-based teaching strategies and routines that teachers can use to strengthen specific aspects of classroom practice. 

Feedback tools – digital tools within the GTT that allow teachers to collect and review feedback on their teaching from various sources – such as students, peers, or self-assessment – to guide reflection and development. You can find out more about feedback tools here.

Student surveys – a tool that gathers structured feedback from students about their learning experiences and classroom environment, helping teachers understand the impact of their teaching from the learner’s perspective. You can find out more about student surveys here.

Self-reflection tool – a feedback tool that enables teachers to assess their own practice against elements of the Model for Great Teaching, helping identify strengths and areas for further development. You can find out more about the self-reflection tool here.

Peer feedback tool – a feedback tool that allows colleagues to provide structured, specific feedback on each other’s teaching, supporting collaborative professional learning. You can find out more about the peer feedback tool here.

Video feedback tool - a feedback tool that allows teachers to upload short clips of their classroom practice and use them as a basis for reflection and development. You can find out more about the video feedback tool here.

Professional development (PD) or professional learning – an ongoing process through which teachers improve their knowledge, skills, and practice. In the GTT, this is driven by reflection, feedback, collaboration, and engagement with research-informed approaches

Performance management – a structured process for evaluating and supporting staff performance. When aligned with the GTT, performance management can focus on developmental goals and evidence of professional growth rather than solely on accountability measures.