Many reasons make education important in everybody’s lives. Knowledge is a crucial aspect of our daily lives and helps us achieve confidence and stability. The art of knowing is not limited to books alone but includes a practical understanding of concepts. Education helps people nurture their communication skills for better security in careers and relationships. It is vital to understand that the education sector is indispensable in building one’s character and tracking our progress.
To reach a particular level of knowledge and learning, teachers portray a significant role. Teachers are the key contributors to good values and quality education in a person’s life. A student’s future is highly affected by how they are taught by the teacher and the equation of understanding that they hold. The role of an instructor is to provide new information, ideas, and topics to the students to expand their interests. To do so, they make use of specific teaching methods. Such teaching types are well-researched and reviewed by educationists throughout the world. Let us understand different types of teaching that instructors can apply to help the students expand their perspectives and enrich their ideas.
Types of Teaching
Teaching methodologies need to resonate with the curriculum and practical classroom management skills. Based on extensive studies and educational research, there are four types of teaching approaches.
1.Teacher Centred approach
A teacher-centred approach is when the instructor becomes the main focus of the classroom. The students are expected to understand the delivered lectures and listen to the following activity instructions. The students here do not perform activities or tasks in groups but rather work independently. This inculcates a sense of decision-making and stability in them. Also, the classroom remains disciplined and in order. As this type of teaching is teacher-led, there are significantly fewer chances of a topic being missed. The teacher presents scripted lessons in the classes. As the lectures are based more on books than e-resources, direct teaching approaches are considered low-tech methods. However, this method might seem boring and monotonous at times. Critical quality of interaction during learning is generally not present in this teaching type. This is a traditional approach wherein the listeners passively imbibe the presented knowledge.
2.Learner-centred approach
A student-centred approach is a more modern method of teaching wherein the students actively imbibe knowledge by taking part in discussions. This method is favored by most teachers who believe in collaborative learning. Many students also like this approach to nurturing critical thinking and communication skills. When the students can share their knowledge and ideas with other learners of their age, it becomes a fun learning experience for all. An exchange of thoughts between the instructor and students takes place diligently. However, classroom management might become an issue for some instructors in this case. Also, this method might not seem ideal for students who like to work individually.
3.High-tech approach
With the advancements in science and technology, the education sector has witnessed many changes in teaching types. Online teaching tools such as e-meeting platforms, video-based lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and game software have taken education to a whole new level. Tech-based platforms are also available for disabled students. As the name suggests, the high-tech approach involves using technology-based educational tools like computers and tablets. In addition to online learning, homework is also assigned online. This method is a modern approach that students have welcomed throughout the world. On the contrary, some teachers prefer face-to-face learning and promote less dependence on gadget-based education. Game-based learning and flipped classroom approach wherein the learner watches demonstrations and lectures online as a part of homework and solves exercises and questions during the class are examples of both teacher-based learning and high-tech approach.
4.Low-tech approach
Many teachers believe that while computer knowledge is quite crucial in today’s world, it should not overshadow the interactive teaching approach. For example, auto-correct is considered to be a great feature as it helps in better content curation but at the same time prevents the learners from strengthening their grammar and writing skills. Group activities can be better conducted through a low-tech approach. Some of the significant constituents of interaction-based learning or low-tech approaches are field trips and kinesthetic learning involving hands-on physical activities. Tailoring the education experience for distinct students is immensely noteworthy, and occasionally students perform better with a low-tech technique.
How to choose the perfect teaching method?
While figuring out the best type of teaching, it is also crucial to know that all the learners do not respond similarly to every teaching type. With every student having personal needs and concentration levels, the teaching types might need to be moulded as per the classroom requirements. Apart from these four main methods, the teachers may also bring into blended focus modes of learning that assist all the learners with their specific educational needs. Instructors generally plan hybrid modes of teaching to suit everybody’s learning patterns and to bring out excellent learning outcomes. A self-analysis of the teacher’s personality along with the student’s strengths and weaknesses can help curate personalised teaching types for students that might include group discussions, field trips, cooperative learning reward charts, technology-based learning, and doubt sessions, to name a few.
Conclusion
Knowledge can be delivered to the learner by understanding their nature and the type of subject that is to be delivered. The teaching method should not only be based on the pre-decided learning outcomes but also on how the topics are perceived by the students or what questions it brings to their minds. A well-thought combination of methods that promote critical thinking, healthy interaction, and engaging, practical activities can produce great learning and teaching experience.
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