Community Learning Development Resource 201 – 12
CHOOSING TEACHING METHODS
SUMMARY
A range of purposeful teaching methods are available to the teacher – planning for learning should include the selection of appropriate methods for particular purposes.
PURPOSE: PRESENTATION (providing a new experience )
Do you want to provide an input, for example: to transmit new ideas, information or skills to your learners, individually or collectively?
For example – through talking: lecturing, presenting, instructing or demonstrating; role modelling.
PURPOSE: INTERACTION (encouraging reflection and thinking )
Do you want to engage with a learner and exchange or gain ideas, information, experiences – a sharing of the learning with an individual? Or with a group of learners involving you as a leader or in a supportive role?
For example – in conversation; discussion; group work, question and answer; thought-storming or buzz groups.
PURPOSE: SEARCH (for discovery, research and experiment)
Do you want your learners to explore and discover things for themselves – individually or in small collaborative groups?
For example – in individual practice; project work; problem-solving.
PURPOSE: ENRICHING THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE (making the learning more interesting and fun)
Do you want your learners, learn using all their senses, observation and by relating the learning to their own experience or the real experiences of others?
For example – visits and field trips; use of IT; audio – visual aids; simulation / scenario / role play; case study; games; performance.
PURPOSE: SUPPORTING THE LEARNER (providing an individual learner with support)
Do you want to enable and encourage your learner to gain confidence, overcome barriers and constraints, to grow in self-esteem and as a learner; to use abilities and skills hitherto hidden?
For example – conversation; coaching; rehearsal; simulation/ scenario;
giving feedback; active listening.