Some strategies have not been validated by research. How can I tell if a new or emerging strategy is likely to be effective?
Not all strategies are effective, and some that are effective are not very efficient in terms of the time and effort required. Ellis and Lenz (1987) identified a number of critical features of strategies that work well for students with disabilities. These features fall into three categories: content (the steps in the strategy and their role in the learning process); design (how the steps are put together as a package); and usefulness (transferability of the strategy to other settings and needs). The article by Ellis and Lenz, “Features of Good Learning Strategies,” (see link in references below) details the characteristics of effective and efficient strategies.
