Teaching Methods

1
Teaching Methods

• EDU 412/413

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Lecture

• STRENGTHS
• factual material presented in a direct, logical
  manner
• expertise can inspire
• stimulates thinking to open discussion
• useful for large groups

• LIMITATIONS
• experts are not always good teachers
• audience remains passive
• learning is difficult to assess
• one way communication

3
Lecture with Discussion

• STRENGTHS
• audience is involved, at least after the lecture
• audience can question, clarify challenge

• LIMITATIONS
• discussion is limited by time constraints
• teaching quality depends on the quality of
  questions and discussion

4
Panel of Experts

• STRENGTHS
• allows expertise from different opinions
• can provoke better discussion than a one person
  lecture
• frequent change of speaker keeps students
  attention

• LIMITATIONS
• experts may not be good speakers
• personalities may overshadow content
• content may not be presented in logical order

5
Brainstorming

• STRENGTHS
• allows for creative thinking and new ideas
• encourages full participation because all ideas
  equally recorded
• draws on everyones knowledge and experience
• congeniality reigns
• one idea can spark other ideas

• LIMITATIONS
• can be unfocused
• needs to be limited
• 5 - 7 minutes
• people may have difficulty getting away from what
  is known
• if not facilitated well, criticism may occur

6
Videotapes

• STRENGTHS
• entertaining way of presenting content and
  raising issues
• keep group's attention
• looks professional
• stimulates discussion

• LIMITATIONS
• can raise too many issues to foster a focused
  discussion
• discussion may not have full participation
• only as effective as ensuing discussion

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Class Discussion

• STRENGTHS
• pools ideas and experiences from full group
• effective after a presentation, film or
  experience that needs to be analyzed
• allows everyone to participate in an active
  process

• LIMITATIONS
• not practical with more that 20 people
• can be dominated by a few people
• others may not participate at all
• time consuming
• can get off focus

8
Small Group Discussion

• STRENGTHS
• allows participation of everyone
• people often more comfortable in small groups
• can reach group consensus

• LIMITATIONS
• needs careful thought to determine the groups
  purpose
• group can get side tracked

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Case Studies

• STRENGTHS
• develops critical thinking, analytic and problem
  solving skills
• allows for exploration of solutions for complex
  issues
• students can apply new knowledge and skills

• LIMITATIONS
• people may not see relevance to own experience
• insufficient information can lead to
  inappropriate results

10
Role Playing

• STRENGTHS
• introduces problem situation dramatically
• provides opportunity for multiple perspectives
  people assume varied roles
• allows for exploration of solutions
• provides opportunity to practice skills

• LIMITATIONS
• people may be too self-conscious for dramatic
  skits
• not appropriate for large groups
• people may feel threatened by roles

11
Report-Back Sessions

• STRENGTHS
• allows for large group discussion of role plays,
  case studies, and small group exercise
• reflection on experience
• each group takes responsibility for its task

• LIMITATIONS
• can be repetitive if each small group says the
  same thing

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Worksheets / Surveys

• STRENGTHS
• allows people to think for themselves without
  being influenced by others
• students are active in their learning
• easy assessment

• LIMITATIONS
• can be used only for short period of time

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Guest Speaker

• STRENGTHS
• personalizes topic
• immediate expertise
• breaks down audience's stereotypes

• LIMITATIONS
• may not be a good speaker
• costly