"The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways."
This standard asks teachers to use a wide range of teaching methods to promote student understanding. Students must also understand how different content areas are connected and use their knowledge to build meaning and understand the importance of the learning material. The descriptor 8 (d) asks teachers to use many different instructional practices and interact with the students in a variety of ways. Teachers must therefore play the role of the primary instructor, as well as facilitate student learning, and listen to students, allowing the students to present information to the teacher.