Traditional and innovative teaching methods Author: Monika Poszaj-Stan Education is a light that shows the mankind the right direction to surge.... Education

Traditional and innovative Traditional and innovative teaching methodsteaching methods

Author: Monika Poszaj-StanAuthor: Monika Poszaj-Stan

Education is a light that Education is a light that shows the mankind the shows the mankind the

right direction to surge...right direction to surge.....

As any good teacher knows, all students do not learn in the same As any good teacher knows, all students do not learn in the same

way. In addition, it is common for a class of students to be at a way. In addition, it is common for a class of students to be at a

variety of levels in any particular subject. Teachers need to use variety of levels in any particular subject. Teachers need to use

different teaching methods in order to reach all students different teaching methods in order to reach all students

effectively. Basically teaching must include two major effectively. Basically teaching must include two major

components: sending and receiving information. The teacher tries components: sending and receiving information. The teacher tries

his best to impart knowledge as the way he understood it. This is his best to impart knowledge as the way he understood it. This is

why any communication methods that serve this purpose without why any communication methods that serve this purpose without

destroying the objective could be considered as innovative destroying the objective could be considered as innovative

methods of teaching. On the other hand the strengths and methods of teaching. On the other hand the strengths and

weaknesses of each teaching methodology are identified and weaknesses of each teaching methodology are identified and

known by the teachers and probable modifications that can be known by the teachers and probable modifications that can be

included in traditional methods are suggested.included in traditional methods are suggested.

1. Traditional teaching methods1. Traditional teaching methods

Direct instructionDirect instruction is the most common form of instruction. is the most common form of instruction.

This is the lecturing method of teaching. Many teachers This is the lecturing method of teaching. Many teachers

use this teaching method almost exclusively, as it is use this teaching method almost exclusively, as it is

considered the simplest, and you can cover large amounts considered the simplest, and you can cover large amounts

of material in a short period of time. However, this is not the of material in a short period of time. However, this is not the

most effective teaching method to reach all students, most effective teaching method to reach all students,

especially younger ones, who often need a more engaging, especially younger ones, who often need a more engaging,

hands-on strategy in order to learn effectively.hands-on strategy in order to learn effectively.


The teacher is the sender or the source and the educational The teacher is the sender or the source and the educational

material is the information or message. The student is the material is the information or message. The student is the

receiver of the information which is delivered via the “chalk-receiver of the information which is delivered via the “chalk-

and-talk” method. The teacher delivers the lecture content and-talk” method. The teacher delivers the lecture content

and the students listen to the lecture. The learning mode and the students listen to the lecture. The learning mode

tends to be passive and the learners play little part in their tends to be passive and the learners play little part in their

learning process. It has been found that the conventional learning process. It has been found that the conventional

lecture approach in classroom is of limited effectiveness in lecture approach in classroom is of limited effectiveness in

both teaching and learning because:both teaching and learning because:


-this is “one way flow” of information-this is “one way flow” of information

-teachers often continuously talk without knowing students-teachers often continuously talk without knowing students

response and feedbackresponse and feedback

-there is insufficient interaction with students in the classroom-there is insufficient interaction with students in the classroom

-there is more emphasis given on theory without any practical-there is more emphasis given on theory without any practical

and real life time situationsand real life time situations

-learning from memorization but not understanding-learning from memorization but not understanding

-marks rather than result orientated-marks rather than result orientated

2. Innovative teaching methods2. Innovative teaching methods

I hear and I forget.I hear and I forget.

I see and I believe.I see and I believe.

I do and I understand.I do and I understand.

ConfuciusConfucius


Inquiry-based learningInquiry-based learning is a teaching method which is is a teaching method which is

rapidly gaining popularity. Based on the rapidly gaining popularity. Based on the scientific method, ,

this teaching method can be used for virtually all subjects. this teaching method can be used for virtually all subjects.

Using inquiry-based learning takes a lot of time, energy, and Using inquiry-based learning takes a lot of time, energy, and

planning, but it is often very effective. Students practice planning, but it is often very effective. Students practice

problem solvingproblem solving and and critical thinkingcritical thinking skills to arrive at a skills to arrive at a

conclusion. This teaching method is extremely student-conclusion. This teaching method is extremely student-

centered and student-directed, and can be modified for centered and student-directed, and can be modified for

students at any level, reaching them where they are. students at any level, reaching them where they are.

Teachers will generally need to start by modeling the Teachers will generally need to start by modeling the

process to the students.process to the students.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-scientific-method.htm


Information processing strategiesInformation processing strategies is another example of is another example of

teaching method that motivates students to find the answer. teaching method that motivates students to find the answer.

While it is often advisable to have students really While it is often advisable to have students really

understand the teaching methods and not just memorize understand the teaching methods and not just memorize

facts, there are some cases when facts need to be facts, there are some cases when facts need to be

memorized. Facts and concepts may also need to be memorized. Facts and concepts may also need to be

grouped or organized in order to facilitate better grouped or organized in order to facilitate better

understanding. Teachers can use various teaching methods understanding. Teachers can use various teaching methods

to help students with memorization, or they can use graphic to help students with memorization, or they can use graphic

organizers, mind maps, story webs, or other ways to organizers, mind maps, story webs, or other ways to

represent information visually.represent information visually.


Cooperative learningCooperative learning is another teaching method that is is another teaching method that is

considered highly effective when done correctly. With considered highly effective when done correctly. With

cooperative learningcooperative learning, students are put in small groups to , students are put in small groups to

work together. They are usually not grouped by ability, but work together. They are usually not grouped by ability, but

put in a group with children at a variety of levels. The put in a group with children at a variety of levels. The

students are then given tasks to accomplish together. students are then given tasks to accomplish together.

Teachers may need to monitor these groups carefully, to Teachers may need to monitor these groups carefully, to

make sure they are staying on task and that all students are make sure they are staying on task and that all students are

participating. This form of instruction also lends itself well participating. This form of instruction also lends itself well

to differentiation, because the teacher can assign specific to differentiation, because the teacher can assign specific

tasks to children at different ability levels.tasks to children at different ability levels.


Mind MapsMind Maps can be used by teachers to explain concepts can be used by teachers to explain concepts

in an innovative way. The key notion behind mind in an innovative way. The key notion behind mind

mapping is that we learn and remember more effectively mapping is that we learn and remember more effectively

by using the full range of visual and sensory tools at our by using the full range of visual and sensory tools at our

disposal. Pictures, music, color, even touch and smell disposal. Pictures, music, color, even touch and smell

play a part in our learning armory will help to recollect play a part in our learning armory will help to recollect

information for long time. The key is to build up mind information for long time. The key is to build up mind

maps that make the most of these things building on our maps that make the most of these things building on our

own creativity, thinking and cross linking between ideas own creativity, thinking and cross linking between ideas

that exist in our own minds. that exist in our own minds.


CLIL method and its principles:CLIL method and its principles:

It’s dual-focused education where attention is given to the It’s dual-focused education where attention is given to the

topic as well as the language. The topic is more important, topic as well as the language. The topic is more important,

English is simply the medium used. Very often the subject English is simply the medium used. Very often the subject

in the EFL classroom is the language itself. Whether the in the EFL classroom is the language itself. Whether the

topic is a school subject or another, the principles are the topic is a school subject or another, the principles are the

same. The fact that importance is given to the topic and the same. The fact that importance is given to the topic and the

language gives a more integrated methodology of learning language gives a more integrated methodology of learning

and teaching, drawing attention to the educational process and teaching, drawing attention to the educational process

as a whole as opposed to just how languages should be as a whole as opposed to just how languages should be

taught.taught.


Making content/context king means that the student is Making content/context king means that the student is

actively involved in the language; they are immersed in it, actively involved in the language; they are immersed in it,

surrounded and engulfed in it. They are using the language surrounded and engulfed in it. They are using the language

but the context, theme and task are the driving forces. but the context, theme and task are the driving forces.

CLIL has been called CLIL has been called education through construction, rather education through construction, rather

than instructionthan instruction which again puts the onus on the student which again puts the onus on the student

– they learn, they build their language because they are put – they learn, they build their language because they are put

in the position where they have to, not because they are in the position where they have to, not because they are

being taught to. being taught to.


Fluency is more important than accuracy. The nature of CLIL Fluency is more important than accuracy. The nature of CLIL lessons means that the students will produce (and be lessons means that the students will produce (and be exposed to) a vast array of language; the focus is firmly on exposed to) a vast array of language; the focus is firmly on communication and accuracy comes with time. Making communication and accuracy comes with time. Making mistakes is a natural process in language learning and, as mistakes is a natural process in language learning and, as we all know, language doesn’t have to be accurate to be we all know, language doesn’t have to be accurate to be communicative. communicative. CLIL exposes learners to situations calling CLIL exposes learners to situations calling for genuine communication.for genuine communication.

CLIL promotes critical thinking and collaboration skills as CLIL promotes critical thinking and collaboration skills as well as language competence. It produces life-long learners well as language competence. It produces life-long learners and students are sent out with real-world skills and and students are sent out with real-world skills and enhanced motivation and self-confidence.enhanced motivation and self-confidence.

Traditional and innovative teaching Traditional and innovative teaching methods - conclusionsmethods - conclusions

There are many, many more teaching methods, but these are There are many, many more teaching methods, but these are

the most common. If the teacher finds the best teaching the most common. If the teacher finds the best teaching

method for a particular group of students, the students are method for a particular group of students, the students are

likely to learn more quickly and be more engaged. In addition, likely to learn more quickly and be more engaged. In addition,

using a variety of teaching methods will keep students from using a variety of teaching methods will keep students from

being bored, and help them encounter the information in new being bored, and help them encounter the information in new

and exciting ways.and exciting ways.

References:References:

““The Practice of English Language Teaching”,The Practice of English Language Teaching”, Jeremy Harmer Jeremy Harmer

““Innovative Methods of Teaching”,Innovative Methods of Teaching”, dr Damodharan V.S. ACCA dr Damodharan V.S. ACCA

http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/comteach.htmhttp://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/comteach.htm

http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/pedagogies.htmlhttp://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/pedagogies.html

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-different-teaching-methods.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-different-teaching-methods.htm

““How should CLIL work in practice?”,How should CLIL work in practice?”, Alex Mackenzie Alex Mackenzie

http://www.onestopenglish.com/support/methodologyhttp://www.onestopenglish.com/support/methodology

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Traditional and innovative teaching methods Author: Monika Poszaj-Stan Education is a light that shows the mankind the right direction to surge.... Education