Brief Summary
This session introduces various teaching methods, distinguishing between teacher-centred and student-centred approaches. It explores autocratic strategies like the lecture, storytelling, textbook, demonstration, deductive, and tutorial methods, highlighting their merits, demerits, and appropriate applications. The session emphasises adapting teaching methods to suit the subject matter, student needs, and classroom environment for effective learning.
- Teaching methods are categorised into student-centred and teacher-centred approaches.
- Autocratic strategies, including lecture and storytelling methods, are discussed with their pros and cons.
- The importance of adapting teaching methods based on the subject, student needs, and classroom environment is highlighted.
Introduction
The session begins with a welcome and an overview of the day's topic: teaching methods. The speaker notes the significance of the topic and mentions the availability of TGT vacancies, emphasising the role of educators in unlocking students' potential. The speaker expresses that education opens the door to success, but the key is with a good teacher. The speaker also mentions that the class will cover both the theory and practical application of teaching methods, encouraging active learning and discovery among students.
Teaching Methods: Definition and Approaches
Teaching methods are defined as systematic procedures and techniques used by teachers to deliver knowledge, skills, and values effectively. The speaker highlights that a teacher's method involves content sufficiency, effective delivery, and clear communication, including writing, speaking, and facial expressions. Teaching methods can be broadly categorised into student-centred and teacher-centred approaches. Student-centred methods prioritise the learner's needs, interests, and pace, promoting active engagement and learning by doing. Teacher-centred methods focus on the teacher delivering content while students passively listen and take notes.
Teacher-Centred vs. Child-Centred Methods
In teacher-centred methods, the teacher acts as an authority and the primary source of information, with students passively absorbing knowledge. This approach is considered a traditional method and can be beneficial for subjects that do not require practical demonstrations. Conversely, child-centred methods involve interaction between the teacher and students, promoting two-way communication and learning by doing. The teacher serves as a resource, guide, and facilitator, motivating students to discover knowledge themselves.
Autocratic Strategies: Lecture Method
Autocratic strategies involve a teacher-dominated environment, with the lecture method being a prime example. The lecture method, attributed to Socrates, involves the teacher delivering content orally while students take notes. This method is also known as the telling and explaining method, where knowledge flows from the teacher to the student. The speaker outlines the steps a teacher follows in the lecture method: preparing content, presenting it, illustrating with examples, summarising, and evaluating.
Lecture Method: Drawbacks and Enhancements
The lecture method can become monotonous and boring if not delivered effectively. To enhance engagement, the speaker suggests incorporating examples, limiting lecture duration to 20-25 minutes, and providing breaks for processing. While time-saving, the lecture method may ignore individual differences and is best suited for large classrooms and higher education. It often relies on rote learning and passive engagement, which are significant drawbacks.
Storytelling Method
The storytelling method involves presenting subject matter through real-life examples, stories, and cultural references to make learning fun and engaging. This approach makes learning spontaneous and easier, increasing student interest and engagement. However, it is not applicable to all subjects or topics and requires teachers to have strong imaginative skills. The speaker notes that while enjoyable, the storytelling method can be time-consuming and may lead to distractions.
Storytelling Method: Psychological Benefits
Learning through stories helps students naturally assimilate information, making their learning permanent. This method follows the maxim of teaching from psychological to logical, aligning with students' interests before introducing logical concepts.
Textbook Method
The textbook method involves teachers and students strictly following the textbook, which promotes rote learning and bookish language. While it can improve academic scores and requires minimal planning for teachers, it lacks personal guidance and interaction. The speaker advises avoiding this method as it promotes rote learning and does not cater to individual student needs.
Demonstration Method
The demonstration method involves teachers showing and explaining concepts through experiments. Students learn by observing, which activates their visual and auditory senses, enhancing understanding. However, it lacks hands-on experience for students and can be challenging in large classrooms. The speaker notes that this method requires experienced and skilled teachers and ensures safe learning.
Deductive Method
The deductive method, given by Aristotle, involves teaching rules first and then providing examples. This method proceeds from general to specific and abstract to concrete. While it allows students to apply rules easily, it promotes rote learning and is not beneficial for young children. The speaker suggests combining the deductive method with the inductive method (example to rule) for more meaningful and effective learning.
Tutorial Method
The tutorial method involves small group teaching with a remedial nature, providing personal guidance to students. This method is beneficial for shy or weak students, allowing for individual attention and deeper understanding of concepts. However, it is time-consuming, requires more teachers, and is not feasible for large classrooms.
Recap and Conclusion
The speaker recaps the six teacher-centred methods discussed: lecture, storytelling, demonstrative, textbook, deductive, and tutorial. The lecture and deductive methods were attributed to Socrates and Aristotle, respectively. The speaker advises combining inductive and deductive methods and using the tutorial method for remedial teaching. The session concludes with addressing student doubts and announcing upcoming sessions.
