Teaching Methods

The term Teaching method refers to the general principles, pedagogy and management strategies used for classroom instruction. Your choice of teaching method depends on what fits you your educational philosophy, classroom demographic, subject area(s) and school mission statement. Teaching theories primarily fall into two categories or approaches teacher!centered and student!centered"

Teacher!#entered $pproach to %earning

Teachers are the main authority figure in this model. &tudents are 'iewed as empty 'essels whose primary role is to passi'ely recei'e information ('ia lectures and direct instruction) with an end goal of testing and assessment. (t is the primary role of teachers to pass )nowledge and information onto their students. (n this model, teaching and assessment are 'iewed as two separate entities. &tudent learning is measured through objecti'ely scored tests and assessments.

&tudent!#entered $pproach to %earning

*hile teachers are an authority figure in this model, teachers and students play an e+ually acti'e role in the learning process. The teacher,s primary role is to coach and facilitate student learning and o'erall comprehension of material. &tudent learning is measured through both formal and informal forms of assessment, including group projects, student portfolios, and class participation. Teaching and assessment are connectedstudent learning is continuously measured during teacher instruction.

To better understand these approaches, it is important to discuss what is generally understood as the three main teaching styles in educational pedagogy" direct instruction, in+uiry!based learning and cooperati'e learning. Through these three teaching methods, teachers can gain a better understanding of how to go'ern their classroom, implement instruction and connect with their students. *ithin each of these three main teaching styles are teaching roles or models. Theorist $... /rasha e0plains the fi'e main teaching models in her publication Teaching with &tyle (1223)" 40pert, .ormal $uthority, 5ersonal Model, .acilitator and 6elegator. To gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of each teaching style, it,s best to 'iew them through the lens of direct instruction, in+uiry!based learning, and cooperati'e teaching.

DIRECT INSTRUCTION
6irect instruction is the general term that refers to the traditional teaching strategy that relies on e0plicit teaching through lectures and teacher!led demonstrations. 6irect instruction is the primary teaching strategy under theteacher-centered approach, in that teachers and professors are the sole supplier of )nowledge and information. 6irect instruction is effecti'e in teaching basic and fundamental s)ills across all content areas.

INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING
(n+uiry!based learning is a teaching method that focuses on student in'estigation and hands!on learning. (n this method, the teacher,s primary role is that of a facilitator, pro'iding guidance and support for students through the learning process. (n+uiry!based learning falls under the student-centered approach, in that students play an acti'e and participatory role in their own learning process.

COOPERATIVE LEARNING
#ooperati'e %earning refers to a method of teaching and classroom management that emphasi7es group wor) and a strong sense of community. This model fosters students, academic and social growth and includes teaching techni+ues such as Thin)!5air!&hare and reciprocal teaching. #ooperati'e learning falls under the student-centered approach because learners are placed in responsibility of their learning and de'elopment. This method focuses on the belief that students learn best when wor)ing with and learning from their peers.

(n order to identify your personal teaching style, it is important to ac)nowledge your personal 'alues toward education and how your students learn. 8nderstanding your teaching style early on will pro'e effecti'e for both you and your students, creating and maintaining a balance between your teaching preferences and your students, learning preferences.