Analysis and Description of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Classroom Teaching Methods - Research Paper Example

Instructional methods of teaching Instructional methods Instructional methods may be defined as ways in which the instructions are being given to the students. The strategies implemented by the teachers are meant for the same purpose. Instructional methods are ways of objective oriented learning and it involves the flow of information between the students and teachers. There are various arguments regarding the validity of these methods. People often question that do these methods contribute toward the journey of being a teacher. Direct and indirect methods are two categories in which the learning methods can be divided. However, these instrumental learning methods are so complicated that they cannot be classified into merely two categories. Every instrumental teaching method used by the teachers has some pros and cons attached to it. The teaching method that the teacher uses in a particular class of students depends on the level and age of the students. Therefore the first step in teaching is to select the correct and accurate teaching method for the students belonging specific class. There is no such ideal method of teaching which can be implied to all teaching level and to all students belonging to different development level; it is the task of the student to select a teaching method which suits the situation. There are factors that the teacher must keep in mind before the selection of any specific instrumental teaching method, these are; material, physical setting, time, space, level of development of students and many more (Kizlik). Approaches to Learning Teacher centered approach This approach is usually based on the fact that the role of the teacher is to provide instruction to the students that may foster learning, in order to achieve a specific goal. The teacher defines the objective of the course to the students and then explains the information to the students. Learner centered approach It is when the teacher behaves as a learner and study different learning techniques, to study their effectiveness and to evaluate that which technique can be used at a specific level to foster learning (What are instructional methods?). Different Types Teaching/Instrumental Methods There are different types of instrumental methods. Some effective teaching methods have been discussed below. Direct Teaching This teaching method is one of the widely accepted learning methods. This learning method focuses on very specific learning target. The students are given reasons regarding the importance of content which is being taught to them. The students gain can be easily measured by the help of this method. The content of this teaching method must be organized in advance and the teacher must have all the relevant knowledge about the student pre-requisite of the lesson. It is considered one of the effective teaching methods as it is based upon the learning of basic and specific skills. One of the disadvantages of this teaching method is that it stifles the creativity present in a teacher. This teaching method cannot proceed without the well organized preparation of the learning content. The teachers must possess good communication skills if they want to carry on with this teaching method. The steps involved in this method must be followed in the prescribed order. This method is usually effective in lower order thinking and it immensely depends on the skills and knowledge of the teacher. Cooperative learning This teaching method fosters mutual responsibility in the students. The teaching method related to this teaching style is supported by different research techniques. This method teaches the students to be more compassionate towards their work, to be patient and less critical. The instructor decides prior to the lecture that what knowledge and skills must be learned by the students. It requires sometimes making the student learn that how they may work in groups, for the specific task assigned to them. There are certain disadvantages related to this teaching style. Some students do not find this teaching style effective. The students who are shy do not get a chance to share their opinions, however the aggressive students present in the class takes over them. The brighter students of the class acts superior while the weaker ones remain backward in all the discussions. Brain storming Brainstorming is the teaching technique in which student are given listening exercises which help them to think creatively and flourish new ides in their minds. It allows students to share their ideas with others, the ideas shared by different students are been recorded by the teacher. It is based on groups and knowledge. It creates a spirit of cooperation among the students. One idea can serve as a spark to the other idea. In the discussion process the issue of discussion is selected by the teacher. The teacher intervenes when the brainstorming process is been bogged down. This learning technique is usually unfocused and is limited to 5-7 minutes. The students face certain difficulties to think outside the box or differently. If the teacher fails to manage the class properly then criticism and negative evaluation may prevail inside the organization. The value added by a student to the discussion depends upon their level of maturity. Lecture The learning material is presented directly by the instructor in a logical manner. It may provide experience to the students that can be useful for them. It is considered the most effective way in which the information given by teacher is conveyed. While using this learning technique, a clear introduction as well as summary must be presented by the teacher. The effectiveness of this method may be related to time and scope of the learning content. This is an audience specific learning method as it involves examples and anecdotes. They instructor using this method for teaching must possess proficient oral skills for communication purpose. The audience of this instrumental method is usually passive. It is difficult to determine the learning level as the lectures proceeds. The communication in this method takes place is one way. This learning method is not considered appropriate for children below 4th standard. Lecture with Discussion The involvement of student can be seen after the lecture as well. In this instrumental technique the students are questioned, challenged and made clarify. The lecture is usually based on discussion between the students. The students are allowed to ask questions from the teacher during the lecture. The teacher must also be ready for difficult questions and must prepare answers for them. Time constraint may decrease the discussion taking place in the class. The effectiveness of this teaching style may be linked with questions and discussions. Multimedia (computer, internet, DVD, CD, film) It is one of the entertaining way in which the learning content can be introduced and raised in the class. Internet can serve as a source of taking information as the content on the website is updated regularly. The learning technique enforces group attention. It is one of the cost effective ways to communicate the content to the students. It provides opportunities for the students to investigate on the wide range of topic by themselves. Rules must be formulated by the teachers and then it must be communicate to the students. There is a need of maintaining and setting up equipment in this method. The students must possess computer operating skills as they will use it to collect data from the web. This learning technique is usually more effective when a discussion is designed by the teacher after any activity or presentation. The drawback of this instrumental technique is that it raises so many different issues on which the students have to focus. The distraction from the topic occurs easily. The students who are working individually on any topic most of the time lose their focus on the specific issue. This technique is most effective when it is followed by discussion; the discussion may or may not involve full participation from the students. Role Playing The problem situation is introduced dramatically in this learning technique. This technique provides opportunity to the students that they may assume the role of the other students and participate in the discussion with another point of view. The technique involves the exploration of the solution to the problems raised. It provides opportunity to the students to practice and show their skills. The teacher must clearly define the problem situation to the students and clarify their role. The teacher must give clear instructions to the students. The activity assigned to the students must be backed up by the teacher in case of any problem. Many students are self-conscious, therefore they may not take part actively, in the class activities. This instrumental technique is not appropriate for large group. The designing of setup for the activity is time consuming (Different Instructional Methods). Games According to this learning technique the students are interested in and challenged by different kinds of games. It provides opportunities for the team member so that they may build their skills. Feedback is quick and is easily provided by the teacher. Direct relationship to the lesson and objective is tried to achieve, which may be a stimulating experience for the students. Relevant games are selected at every appropriate level which can be used to achieve the learning objective of the course. The game is introduced by the teacher in order to make the learning objective clear. Clear and thorough directions are given by the teacher. The teacher creates a friendly mentality among the students. The teacher must not take sides of any specific students or show any partiality towards anyone. The teacher must the keep the handle in his its own hand. The drawback of this instrumental technique is that it may create a group in or group out feeling in the minds of the students. It can de-motivate the students who are not very competitive by nature. It may create the feeling of inadequacy among the students who are less skillful or forceful than others. This technique may not enforce creativity as the format of this technique is rigid and it strongly focuses on winning. Panel of Experts It allows experts to share their opinions with the students based on the learning content. It may be the cause of provoking better discussion than it is done by an individual person. When the speakers are changed frequently it allows the attention of the students to be maintained on the topic. The panel of experts if usually coordinated by the teacher as she introduced, briefs and instructs the panel. There are several draw backs attached to this learning technique. Many of the times the experts invited are not good speaker or have low communication skills. The subject presented by the speaker may not be in a logical order. Many times the personality of the speaker over shadows the topic of discussion. This instrumental technique is not appropriate for students who are in their elementary age (Instructional Methods). Video tapes / slides It is an entertaining way in which the content is introduced to the students. It is a way in which the attention of the group is maintained till the end of the lecture. This way of teaching looks professional. It is way of stimulating discussion. There is need of obtaining the setup for the equipment used to present the slides. This way of teaching is effective only if the teacher prepares the students for discussion after the presentation is over. This technique gives rise to several topics which needed to be discussed. It may or may not involve full participation of the students. It is more effective when the teacher initiates a discussion after it. Small Group Discussion It allows participation from all the students. Students feel their selves more comfortable among small group. The instructor must prepare a specific task for the students and then allow them to answer the asked questions. The careful thought is needed which could serve as the purpose of the group. In many situations the group may get side tracked. Case studies Teacher discusses with the student different cases from everyday life which are related to the content they are learning. It develops analytical and problem solving skills within the students. It allows the students to find the solutions to difficult problems. It allows student to apply the knowledge and skills that they have learnt in their practical life. The case under discussion must be clearly defined by the instructor. The teacher must be prepared with the case study which he will be discussing with the students. In many cases the student may not find any relevance of these case studies with their own selves. The insufficient information provided in the case study may lead to inappropriate results. This teaching technique may not be appropriate to the elementary level (Methods of Instruction!). Worksheet and Surveys This allows students to learn by the help of conducting surveys. It fosters the students that they must think about themselves without being influenced by others. The teacher must prepare handout for the students before conducting the lecture. The drawback of this teaching method is that it can only be used for a short period of time. Index Card Exercise This teaching method allows students to explore problems and come up with effective solutions. The teacher must be ready with question for the students. The scope of practicality in this learning method is low as it does not involve any exercise. Guest Speaker Guest speaker is invited to deliver lecture on the topic relevant to the learning content. There are probabilities that the guest speakers may personalize the topic and they may break the audience present into stereotype, which may enhance the learning capabilities of the students. It is the duty of the teacher to contact the guest speaker and then effectively coordinate. There must be an effective coordination between the teacher and the guest speaker. The speaker must be introduced appropriately by the instructor. The speaker selected for giving lecture may lack in communicating effectively. The guest speaker links the topic of the content with the examples from the practical life, which foster better understanding among the students. Value clarification This instrumental method gives opportunity to the students to explore the beliefs and values. It fosters discussion of the students in a safe environment. This method gives a structure to the discussion taking place. The exercises must be carefully designed by the teacher. The instruction must be given by the teacher carefully. The discussion questions must be prepared in detailed by the teacher. The drawbacks of this instrumental method are that many times the students are not honest while sharing their opinions. Some students are self-conscious, therefore they mostly fail to express their view and opinions. Conclusion There are several learning methods which may help the teachers to design certain techniques on the basis of which they may achieve the learning outcome of the students. The effect of these techniques cannot be measured, as different techniques may be required on different learning level. Several pros and cons are associated which all the above mentioned techniques. Work Cited Different Instructional Methods. 2011. 5 May 2013 . Web. Instructional Methods. 2013. 5 May 2013 . Web. Kizlik, Dr. Bob. Instructional Methods Information. 2012. 5 May 2013 . Web. Methods of Instruction! 2009. 5 May 2013 . Web. What are instructional methods? February 2012. 5 May 2013 . Web. Read More