I'm not sure if figuring out best practices is possible or not, but from my observations of the field it is difficult to determine these types of things definitively. So I agree the emphasizing a singular set of "best practices" too much can be detrimental.
Moreover, I think when teachers feel forced to adopt a teaching method they dislike, their enthusiasm flags, and teacher enthusiasm is something that has a big impact on learning (I'd be interested to hear if anyone disputes the idea that miserable or apathetic teachers result in less effective teaching)
I think the most effective approach to this kind of research is a toolkit approach, where teachers adjust their teaching methods using different well-developed practices based on experience, different aspects of the student population, and the teacher's knowledge / enthusiasm for a specific technique.
Moreover, I think when teachers feel forced to adopt a teaching method they dislike, their enthusiasm flags, and teacher enthusiasm is something that has a big impact on learning (I'd be interested to hear if anyone disputes the idea that miserable or apathetic teachers result in less effective teaching)
I think the most effective approach to this kind of research is a toolkit approach, where teachers adjust their teaching methods using different well-developed practices based on experience, different aspects of the student population, and the teacher's knowledge / enthusiasm for a specific technique.