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Teaching Methods
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here to see our selection of Teaching Methods.
 Teaching
methods come in many forms: lecture, class discussion, small group
discussion, and videotapes are among just a few types of teaching
methods. A well-rounded class should be exposed to multiple teaching
methods, not just one. Different students learn better in different
ways – there are visual learners, tactile learners, and auditory
learners. Also, different subjects and topics are often more understandable
when taught in different ways. Here are the strengths and limitations
of some of the most common teaching methods:
Teaching Method #1 – Lecture
Lecture is, perhaps, the most common form of teaching method. Both
auditory learners and visual learners can benefit from a lecture
– auditory learners natural do best when they have something
to listen to, and visual learners can watch gestures and facial
expression and take good notes. Tactile learners, on the other hand,
may become bored and disinterested. They need something a bit more
involving.
Positive aspects of lectures is that they are very useful when
teaching large groups and they present factual material in a logical
way. Problems are that the audience is passive and the road of communication
is only one way. It is hard to tell how much the students are learning,
as well.
Teaching Method #2– Class Discussion
A class discussion is an excellent teaching method – the
road to communication is a two-way street, and teachers can really
gauge how much their students are learning. A class discussion is
a great way to end a lecture – then you get the best of both
worlds. And students are more likely to retain the information given
in the lecture if they have to use it immediately.
Class discussions are a very positive form of teaching methods
because you can get ideas from the entire groups – 20 brains
are better than one. Also, a class discussion can analyze the lecture
or even a film or whatever. Everyone can participate in a class
discussion.
The problem with a class discussion as a teaching method is that
not everyone will participate – some students may feel uncomfortable
sharing their thoughts in such a large group. Also, the discussion
can get way off track. Also, a class discussion takes much more
time than a lecture, and therefore although the students may be
retaining more information, they may be learning less all together.
Also, a class discussion is very difficult with more than 20 people.
Another small problem is that with class discussion, students may
get confused as to which information is true that is presented and
which may be false.
Teaching Method #3– Small Group Discussion
A small group discussion can be a better teaching method than a
class discussion, especially in larger classes. Everyone gets a
chance to participate if they are put into a smaller group –
a smaller group is less intimidating. Also, it is more likely that
a small group can reach a consensus.
Of course, just as with class discussions, small group discussions
can get side-tracked, and it can be harder for a teacher to gauge
whether the group is actually talking about the subject at hand
or last night’s episode of whatever.
Teaching Method #4 – Videotapes
Videotapes can show a lot more important visual stimuli than just
a teacher with a chalkboard. When talking about a certain animal
or a culture, etc., students may understand it better if they can
actually see it. Also, videotapes can be very interesting for students
– they can grab the attention of students. Videotapes can
also stimulate discussion.
Of course, as with other teaching methods, there are also problems
with videotapes. Videotapes can raise too many issues. It can be
hard to find a video that focuses on the exact subject that you
want to present. You have to worry about finding all of the equipment
and making sure that it works – if you have trouble with the
equipment, valuable time is lost. Also, some students view videotapes
as a chance to slack off – they may not feel that they have
to learn anything from a video, nor will they likely take notes.
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