Principles of Teaching (Methods and Strategies)
Principles of Teaching (Methods and Strategies)
Principles of Teaching (Methods and Strategies)
more procedural.
Discussion involves two-way communication between participants. In the classroom situation an instructor
and trainees all participate in discussion. During discussion, the instructor spends some time listening while
the trainees spend sometimes talking. The discussion is, therefore, a more active learning experience for
A discussion is the means by which people share experiences, ideas and attitudes. As it helps to foster
trainees involvement in what they are learning, it may contribute to desired attitudinal changes. Discussion
may be used in the classroom for the purpose of lesson development, making trainees apply what they
2. BUZZ GROUPS
Another method of instruction is the buzz group. During a longer session, the plenary group can break into
sub-groups to discuss one or two specific questions or issues. The room soon fills with noise as each sub-
group ‘buzzes’ in discussion. If appropriate, after the discussion one member of each group can report its
findings back to the plenary. Buzz groups can be in pairs, trios, or more depending on the activity. People
turn to their neighbours for a quick buzz, or form larger groups of three or more. This allows almost every
one to express an opinion. While they are buzzing, participants are able to exchange ideas and draw on
their wide collective experience. It may provide a good opportunity for trainees to reflect on the content of a
lecture. A good buzz session will generate many ideas, comments and opinion, the most important of which
3. DEMONSTRATION METHOD
As the name implies, in the demonstration method the teacher or an assigned student or group shows how
a process is done while the students become observers. The demonstrator is knowledgeable in preparing
the apparatus needed according to the steps followed. The rest of the class becomes focused on the
4. BRAINSTORMING
The purpose of a brainstorming session is to discover new ideas and responses very quickly. It is
particularly a good way of getting bright ideas. It differs from the buzz groups discussion in that the focus is
on generating as many ideas as possible without judging them. In this technique, all ideas are given equal
credence. Participants are encouraged to let ideas flow freely, building on and improving from previous
ideas. No idea, however crazy, should be rejected. These ideas are listed exactly as they are expressed on
a board or flipchart, or written on bits of paper. The combination of swiftly generated ideas usually leads to
a very animated and energising session. Even the more reserved participants should feel bold enough to
contribute. The purpose of listing responses is to collect existing experiences and thoughts. Unlike a buzz
session, a brainstorm session can work well with a large group and usually takes less time. It is best to limit
the time for plenary brainstorms, as you might lose the attention of some participants.
5. ROLE PLAYS
In role plays, participants use their own experiences to play a real life situation. When done well, role plays
increase the participants self-confidence, give them the opportunity to understand or even feel empathy for
other people’s viewpoints or roles, and usually end with practical answers, solutions or guidelines. Role
plays are useful for exploring and improving interviewing techniques and examining the complexities and
potential conflicts of group meetings. They help participants to consolidate different lessons in one setting
and are good energisers. However, role plays can be time-consuming and their success depends on the
willingness of participants to take active part. Some trainees may feel a role play is too exposing,
threatening or embarrassing. This reluctance may be overcome at the outset by careful explanation of the
objectives and the outcome. Some role plays can generate strong emotions amongst the participants. It is
therefore essential that a role play is followed by a thorough debriefing. This provides the opportunity for
the trainer and the participants to raise and assess new issues.
TEACHING APPROACH
It is a set of principles, beliefs, or ideas about the nature of learning which is translated into the
classroom.
1. LEARNER-CENTERED APPROACH
In which it is premised on the belief that the learner is also an important resource because he/she too
2. CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH
The students are expected to construct knowledge and meaning out for what they are taught by connecting
The teacher guides the learner to discover things for himself or herself. The teacher facilitates the learning
process by allowing the learner to be engaged in the learning process with his/her guidance.
4. INTEGRATED APPROACH
It makes the teacher connects what he/she teaches to other lessons of the same subject (intradisciplinary)
or connects his/her lessons with other subjects thus making his/her approach interdisciplinary and
multidisciplinary.
5. INTERACTIVE APPROACH
In this approach, an interactive classroom will have more student talk and less teacher talk. Students are
given the opportunity to interact with teacher and with other students.
TEACHING STRATEGY
It is a long term plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal.
1. COOPERATIVE LEARNING
Cooperative Learning is a systematic pedagogical strategy that encourages small groups of students to
work together for the achievement of a common goal. The term 'Collaborative Learning' is often used as a
synonym for cooperative learning when, in fact, it is a separate strategy that encompasses a broader range
of group interactions such as developing learning communities, stimulating student/faculty discussions, and
encouraging electronic exchanges (Bruffee, 1993). Both approaches stress the importance of faculty and
2. ACTIVE LEARNING
Meyers and Jones (1993) define active learning as learning environments that allow students to talk and
listen, read, write, and reflect as they approach course content through problem-solving exercises, informal
small groups, simulations, case studies, role playing, and other activities -- all of which require students to
apply what they are learning. Many studies show that learning is enhanced when students become actively
involved in the learning process. Instructional strategies that engage students in the learning process
stimulate critical thinking and a greater awareness of other perspectives. Although there are times when
lecturing is the most appropriate method for disseminating information, current thinking in college teaching
and learning suggests that the use of a variety of instructional strategies can positively enhance student
learning.
3. CASE METHOD
Providing an opportunity for students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life experiences has
proven to be an effective way of both disseminating and integrating knowledge. The case method is an
instructional strategy that engages students in active discussion about issues and problems inherent in
practical application. It can highlight fundamental dilemmas or critical issues and provide a format for role
playing ambiguous or controversial scenarios. Course content cases can come from a variety of sources.
Many faculty have transformed current events or problems reported through print or broadcast media into
critical learning experiences that illuminate the complexity of finding solutions to critical social problems.
The case study approach works well in cooperative learning or role playing environments to stimulate
4. DISCUSSION STRATEGY
There are a variety of ways to stimulate discussion. For example, some faculty begin a lesson with a whole
group discussion to refresh students memories about the assigned reading(s). Other faculty find it helpful to
have students list critical points or emerging issues, or generate a set of questions stemming from the
assigned reading(s). These strategies can also be used to help focus large and small group discussions.
Obviously, a successful class discussion involves planning on the part of the instructor and preparation on
the part of the students. Instructors should communicate this commitment to the students on the first day of
class by clearly articulating course expectations. Just as the instructor carefully plans the learning
experience, the students must comprehend the assigned reading and show up for class on time, ready to
learn.
5. DISTANCE LEARNING
Distance learning is not a new concept. We have all experienced learning outside of a structured classroom
setting through television, correspondence courses, etc. Distance learning or distance education as a
teaching pedagogy, however, is an important topic of discussion on college campuses today. Distance
learning is defined as 'any form of teaching and learning in which the teacher and learner are not in the
TEACHING TECHNIQUE
1. GAMIFICATION
Learning through the use of games is a method that has already been explored by some teachers,
especially in elementary and preschool education. By using games, students learn without even realizing.
Therefore, learning through play or ‘Gamification‘ is a learning technique that can be very effective at any
age. It is also a very useful technique to keep students motivated. The teacher should design projects that
are appropriate for their students, taking into account their age and knowledge, while making them
attractive enough to provide extra motivation. One idea may be to encourage students to create quizzes
online on a certain topic. Students can challenge their peers to test themselves and see who gets a higher
score. In this way, students can enjoy the competition with peers while also having fun and learning.
There is an array of free online learning tools available which teachers can use to encourage engagement,
participation and a sense of fun into the classroom. Teachers can create an interactive and dynamic
classroom environment using, for example, online quizzes to test student’s knowledge.
3. SELF-LEARNING
Curiosity is the main driver of learning. As a basic principle of learning, it makes little sense to force
students to memorize large reams of text that they will either begrudgingly recall or instantly forget. The key
is to let students focus on exploring an area which interests them and learn about it for themselves.
4. DESIGN THINKING
This technique is based on resolving real-life cases through group analysis, brainstorming, innovation and
creative ideas. Although “Design Thinking” is a structured method, in practice it can be quite messy as
some cases may have no possible solution. However, the Case Method prepares students for the real
world and arouses their curiosity, analytical skills and creativity. This technique is often used in popular
MBA or Masters classes to analyze real cases experienced by companies in the past.
5. FLIPPED CLASSROOM
The Flipped Classroom Model basically involves encouraging students to prepare for the lesson before
class. Thus, the class becomes a dynamic environment in which students elaborate on what they have
already studied. Students prepare a topic at home so that the class the next day can be devoted to
answering any questions they have about the topic. This allows students to go beyond their normal