Teaching is a job that demands teachers to adjust year after year to new and diverse situations. To successfully benefit their classrooms, educators can employ various ways to build exciting lesson plans that accommodate students of different academic levels and learning styles.
For decades, we have been following a teaching methodology comprising largely one-sided instruction and summative assessments as a measure of learning. However, the fact remains that any classroom isn’t homogenous-instead, it comprises individuals with different learning styles. It is about time that teachers continuously tried to include new teaching strategies in their arsenal that strike a chord with learners and pique their curiosity. The most significant gift a teacher can give his students is to trigger their curiosity and ensure they remain learners for life. In this post, we will talk about teaching tactics and look at 10 of the most effective ones teachers employ daily.
Table of Contents
Classroom teaching methods and strategies
1. Formative assessment
Typically, we have been following a format that involves summative assessments, namely standardized tests at the end of a semester or the year. These tests do not necessarily accurately reflect the child’s learning. Instead, the use of formative assessments can go a long way since they take place while the teaching process is on. Formative assessments typically cover small content areas and monitor how students understand and learn them. Besides, formative assessments also rescue students from stress around exams and thus significantly contribute to positive mental health. Another significant aspect of formative assessments is that they help teachers make timely course corrections. This is as opposed to summative assessments that take place at the end of the semester or year and leave little chance to make any corrections.
2. Active Learning Techniques
As opposed to the teacher giving one-way lectures, active learning techniques involve student participation in the learning process. This can affect many aspects, such as students explaining ideas in their own words, peer learning, reciprocal questioning from students, students proposing solutions to complex problems, and more. Active learning techniques engage students in inquiry and reflection, ensuring the learning is assimilated.
3. Differentiated teaching
We all know that students have different learning styles. Some of the styles we know of include visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and more. It is imperative, therefore, that teaching styles are also differentiated and cater to these varied learning styles. Videos, projects, podcasts, and more are only small examples of ways to bring unique learning experiences to your students.
4. Classroom Technology
Integrating technology seamlessly into your classroom can enhance lessons. Some ways to do this include using virtual reality apps, video lessons, podcasts, and more.
5. Gamification
Traditionally, we have been taught to view academics and games as disparate things. However, gamification in academics can go a long way in getting students engaged and excited. In fact, with the use of gamification, you can ensure that students do not look at studies as a chore. Among other things, gamification is known to:
- Improve learner engagement
- Enhance learner motivation
- Improve knowledge retention
- Connect students on an emotional level
Point systems, badges, leaderboards, and challenges have been seen to be effective.
6. Peer Teaching
As the name suggests, peer teaching involves students teaching and learning from one another. Importantly, this approach does not subscribe to traditional hierarchies, and students add value to each other’s learning. This technique allows students to take ownership of their own learning while also promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
7. Inquiry-based learning
As the name suggests, inquiry-based learning involves teachers guiding students in answering questions they may have. Inquiry-based learning isn’t just restricted to the stage of student curiosity but goes beyond that into critical thinking. Inquiry-based learning can take several forms in the classroom. Paramount among them is- Structured Inquiry, in which students are given an open question and an investigation method. This is as opposed to Guided Inquiry, in which students design investigation methods. The form may also take the shape of Open Inquiry, in which students develop their original questions and use their methods of investigation.
8. Problem-based learning
In this learning style, students are put together in groups and solve open-ended problems together. Because of this method, students develop various skills, including but not limited to teamwork, using diverse instruction types, and more. The methodology also ensures that students retain the knowledge gathered.
9. Interdisciplinary teaching
This involves drawing information from various academic disciplines and solving real-world issues. This approach is as opposed to studying topics in silos.
This teaching methodology can be used for a wide variety of activities. Common among them is using a news clip to discuss a piece of news that involves the study of different disciplines.
10. Project Based Learning
With project-based learning, students get to find solutions to nuances issues. It is known to increase student engagement and improve knowledge retention.
To Sum Up
Different teaching methods can be integrated with traditional ones to ensure student engagement and knowledge assimilation. Teachers must try new strategies and see what works best for their learners.
At Pragyanam, one of the top CBSE schools in Gurgaon, we are committed to building lifelong learners who are passionate about learning. One of the many things that we incorporate in our teaching is life skills, which go a long way toward equipping students to navigate the ups and downs of life with ease.
