Styles of Teaching
Style is essentially a personal way of doing things. Teachers
also have or need to have a personal style of teaching which they can carry on
from one learning situation to another. Teaching style is effective by
teacher’s believe about good teaching, personal preferences, abilities and the
content to be transacted. There are two different styles of teaching-
1. Autocratic Style
2. Permissive Style
A. Autocratic Style: – Autocratic style is the traditional style of teaching which is generally
teacher centered or content centered. Teacher’s primary role is to pass
knowledge to his students and the students are not allowed to express
themselves, ask questions and answer or direct their own learning.
There are three autocratic styles of teaching-
1. Lecture Method
2. Team Teaching
3. Tutorial
B. Permissive Style: – The permissive style involves the participation of both teachers and
students, where the main focus is on the child. The content and strategies are
decided on the basis of the learners needs, capacities and personalities.
The three permissive styles are-
1. Group or Panel Discussion
2. Brainstorming
3. Project Method
1. Lecture Method
The word lecture comes from the Latin word “Lectus” which
means, “to read”. It was only in the 16th Century that lecture was
used to mean oral instructions given by the teacher in front of the learner.
Lecture method of teaching is the oldest method where the teacher delivers a
well-organized lecture and tries to present the entire content to the student
in a systematic way. The teacher remains active and students remain silent
listener. However, the success of this method depends to a large extent on the
personality of the teacher. Today, lectures involve some sorts of visual needs
in order to substantiate it but primarily a lecture doesn’t require any aid to
qualify as a lecture.
Advantages of Lecture Method
1. It
is the most economical method of teaching.
2. It
helps to develop the listening skill of the student.
3. It
is useful in giving an overall picture of a large unit of study.
4. Helps
the teacher to come into immediate contact with the student.
5. It
saves the teacher the botheration of preparing aids and thinking about the need
of the students.
6. With
this method, the teacher can cover a lengthy syllabus within a short time.
Disadvantages of Lecture method
1. It
is teacher oriented and therefore students become passive listener.
2. It
is not suitable for young children.
3. It
requires skilled and trained teacher and there is always a dearth of such
teachers.
4. In
this method, there is no scope for experimental work and thus the observatory
power of the students gets stagnate.
5. This
method doesn’t inspire students for independent thinking and self-exploration.
6. Generally,
most of the students are found to be inattentive in a class which is undertaken
through the lecture method.
7. The
information provided by the teacher through lecture are retained by the
students very temporarily.
8. This
method doesn’t help in any way to inculcate scientific attitudes among the
students.
9. Excessive
use of this method is harmful for the student in the long-run.
2. Team Teaching
Team teaching involves a group of instructors working
purposefully, regularly and cooperatively to help a group of students to learn.
In team teaching, teachers together set goals for a course, design syllabus,
prepare individual lesson plan, teach students and evaluate the results. The
teachers share their insights, arguing with one another and perhaps even
challenge students to decide the better approach. This approach allows for more
interaction between students and teachers. The emphasis is on student’s full
growth. New teachers may be paired with experienced teachers. Innovations are
encouraged and modification in class size, location and time are primitive
working as a team, teacher’s model respect for differences, inter-dependence
and conflict resolution skills.
Advantages of Team Teaching
1. All
students do not learn at the same rate. Periods of equivalent length are not
appropriate for all forms of learning. Therefore, team teaching with different
areas of expertise and modifications in class size and time are highly
recommended.
2. Team
teaching allows for planning, skill management, willingness to risk, change and
even failures, open mindedness, creativity etc.
3. Team
work improves the quality of teaching as different experts approach the same
topic from different angles and perspectives. Teacher strengths are combined
and weakness are remedy.
4. Working
in teams spread responsibilities encourages creativity, deepens friendship and
builds community among teachers.
5. The
team helps to reduce burden and boosts morale. The presence of another teacher
reduces student-teacher personality problems.
Disadvantages of Team Teaching
1. Team
teaching may not always been successful, because some teachers possess a rigid
personality and may refuse to be flexible. They may also be wedded to a single
method.
2. It
makes more demands on time and energy which may be difficult to meet in a team.
3. Opposition
may also come from students, parents and administrators who may resist change
of any kind.
4. Salaries
may have reflected to be additional responsibilities undertaken by team
members.
3. Tutorial
Meaning– Tutorial teaching method is follow-up
study of lectures. It is highly individualized remedial teaching.
Principles– To provide remedial help for the
learners and develop their cognitive and affective domains of behaviors, this
strategy is based on following principles-
1. Principle
of individual differences.
2. Principle
of Remedial Teaching.
Steps- Tutorial involves the following steps:
–
1. Diagnosis:- After delivering the lecture in the general class, the teacher tries to find
out those students who have some problems in understanding the content. These
students are divided into particular groups on the basis of similar problems.
2. Prescription:- The teacher tries to generate teaching relating to the needs, abilities and
capabilities of each group of students. These classes are known as tutorial
classes.
3. Follow-up: – The
teacher tried to evaluate his teaching in terms of learning outcomes of the
learner.
Types – Tutorial classes are of three types—
1. Supervision Tutorials
2. Group Tutorials
3. Practical Tutorials
Supervision Tutorial: – In this type of tutorial, the teacher selects those
students who are above average intelligence. Teacher assigns a problem to the
student and he is asked to present a paper on this problem. The students present
his paper on this problem. The students present his paper related to the
problems before the teacher and his classmates. The teacher observes and
supervises his paper presentation. These audience may put questions and he have
to answer them. When he is in a difficulty to satisfy the queries of the audience,
the teacher helps him by giving appropriate and satisfactory answer to the
listeners.
Group Tutorial: – These steps of tutorials are arranged for students of low
intelligence. Those students who have difficulties in classroom teaching, are
grouped together on the basis of nature of the problem. Teacher provides them
remedial teaching and thus, helps to make the lecture class and legible.
Practical Tutorial: – This type of remedial teaching tries to remove difficulties
in practical work. These tutorials can be organized after lecture and practical
in the objects like science, arts, music etc. These tutorials are basically
employed to achieve psychomotor objectives.
Advantage of Tutorial-
1. As
individual differences are taken into consideration, it is supposed to be an
effected and efficient way of teaching.
2. Teacher
is like a doctor to diagnose the weaknesses of the learners and on the basis of
these weaknesses, he provides specific treatment of teaching.
3. Teacher
is helping and co-operative to the learners, thus, he gains the confidence of
the learners in revealing their problems.
Disadvantage of Tutorial–
1. Due
to over-crowded classes, it is very difficult for the tutor to solve the
problems of each student and in each and every subject.
2. The
schedule allotted for teaching is so tight that remedial teaching is not
possible at each and every step.
3. Feeling
of jealousy inculcates in the tutorial group.
4. Even
in tutorial groups, equal opportunities are not provided to all the students.
There are some students who dominate the tutorial group.
5. Teacher, sometimes becomes biased and
does not show equal interest towards all the group members.
Permissive Styles of Teaching
The permissive style of teaching is relationship
centered. It involves the participation
of both the teachers and the students. It is mainly child centered. The content
and strategies are decided considerably learner’s abilities, capabilities, needs
and personality. The permissive style helps in exploring the learner’s
personalities. They are as follows—
1. Group or Panel Discussion-
It is an organized conversation in
which members of a group actively participate and exchange their ideas with a purpose.
It is a democratic send child centric strategy. In this, the students address
the teacher and give their arguments. Ultimately, a shape is given the
different thoughts and opinions presented by the students. The group discussion
may be defined as a form of systematic and purposeful oral process
characterized by a formal and structured exchange of views on a particular
topic. Discussions of any sort are supposed to help us by bringing out fresh
and better perspectives and their understandings make us better equipped to
deal with the problem.
In a group discussion, the group
members need to listen to each other and use voice and gestures effectively,
use clear language and persuasive style. Every number has to develop a goal-oriented
interaction and should be aware of the needs of other numbers as well as the
overall objectives.
Features of Group Discussion—
1. It is a group activity carried-out by
participating individuals.
2. It is used as reliable and testing
device.
3. It is an informal discussion in which
participants of the same standard discuss a topic of current interest.
4. It is also known as leaderless
discussion. Because its aim is to find out the natural leadership level of the
participants.
Characteristics of a successful group discussion-
1. Having
a clear objective.
2. Motivated
interaction.
3. Logical
presentation.
4. Cordial
atmosphere.
5. Effective
communication skills.
6. Participation
by all candidates.
7. Leadership
skills.
2. Brainstorming-
In context to teaching, brainstorming
is a strategy or tool of teaching used by the teacher in which maximum or all
the students participate by responding or presenting views on one topic. This
technique encourages new ideas among students which would never have happened
under normal circumstances.
Brainstorming in Education—
In the field of education,
brainstorming is a large or small group of activities that encourages the
students to focus on a topic and contribute to the free flow of ideas. In this
process—
a. Teacher begins the session by posing
a question, problem or by introducing a topic.
b. The student then expresses possible
answers, relevant words and ideas.
c. The contribution is accepted without
criticism or judgement and is then summarized on a white board by the teacher.
d. These ideas are examined, usually in
an open class discussion format.
Purpose of Brainstorming—
1. To
focus student’s attention on a particular topic.
2. To
generate particular ideas.
3. To
teach acceptance and respect for individual differences.
4. To
encourage the learners to take a risk in sharing their ideas and opinions.
5. To
demonstrate to the student that their knowledge and abilities are valued and
accepted.
6. To
provide an opportunity for students to share ideas and expand their knowledge
building on each other’s.
Characteristics of Brainstorming—
1. It
is an intellectual activity.
2. Maximum
or all students can participate.
3. Each
student gives their personal views.
4. Each
view/idea is neither right nor wrong.
5. It
involves divergent thinking.
Advantages of Brainstorming—
1. It
stimulated and provides varied instructional approach.
2. Highly
motivating.
3. Increase
task focus.
4. Promotes
spontaneity and creativity.
5. Efficient
and procedures.
6. Involves
participants in ownership of ideas.
7. Encourage
creativity.
3. Project Method-
The exponent of project method was Kilpatrick, an American educationist. This method based on pragmatic philosophy of John Dewey. This is a modern method of teaching and is recent development in the field of teaching. This method demands an interesting, purposeful and practical curriculum. In this method, children acquire knowledge and skill incidentally and directly.
Characteristics of Project method—
1. Project require initiation from the student or group of students.
2. Project necessitate a variety of educational activities.
3. Teaching staff act as a guide and not an authoritarian till the project is completed.
4. It may require a considerable length of time from days to years.
5. The projects involve the teacher and the pupils and the pupils are socialized through this method.
Aims of Project Method—
1. Involvement: – The project work must sensitize an individual for full involvement in the
project.
2. Skill for independent work: – the project work must lead the students for developing
independent thinking, generate material, draw conclusion, problem solving
abilities and skills to communicate findings.
3. Skill for group work: – The project work must teach to cultivate the qualities such
as cooperation, group learning, leadership quality, patience and discipline.
4. Skill for communication: – Communication skill such as oral skill, written skills etc.
are some of the important skills that can be developed through project method.
5. Knowledge: – The
project work provides incidental and real knowledge besides acquiring knowledge
about topic and subject concerned.
6. Personal Development: – The project work must aim to develop personal qualities such as
resourcefulness, self-confidence, clear thinking, ability to do group works and
participation to face challenges in professional life.
Principles of the Project Method—
1. The
principle of purpose.
2. The
principle of activity.
3. The
principle of experience.
4. The
principle of utility.
5. The
principle of reality.
6. The
principle of freedom.
7. The
principle of socialization.
Planning and Organization of Project:
—
There are four phases in a project,
they are—
1. Purposing
2. Planning
3. Executing
4. Evaluating
But a project contains the following
steps—
1. Creating a situation
2. Proposing and choosing the project
3. Planning the project
4. Execution of the project
5. Evaluation of the project
6. Recording the project.
Advantages of Project Method—
1. This is a psychological method as it
is based on cooperative learning and learning by doing.
2. The knowledge gained by this method
become solid and durable.
3. Provides opportunities to work in
real life situation.
4. It encourages group works.
5. Transfer of learning is possible to
other allied areas of learning.
6. It helps to develop integrated knowledge
and experience.
7. This method trains the pupils to
socialize their minds which is very essential to live in a society.
8. Backward children are most benefited
by this method.
Disadvantages of Project Method—
1. It
is a lengthy, laborious and time-consuming method.
2. Knowledge
gained by this method is not systematic.
3. The
teacher has to play a great role in this method.
4. It can not be applied to all the topics of a subject.
