Methods of Teaching

1. Methods of Teaching Sallie Winburn

2. Present Method • This method is instructor driven. The learner is absorbing the information presented by the instructor. Introducing information should be accomplished through a wide variety of techniques. The instructor should point out areas of particular importance and possible difficulty for the learner.

3. When do you Present? • The present method is typically used during the introduction and the inform part of a lesson. However, it may be necessary to repeat some instruction when providing feedback. • When teaching a lesson on graphing using Excel, an instructor could demonstrate how to create 3 or 4 different types of graphs highlighting each step in the process.

4. Guide Method • This method is where the teacher interacts and engages in conversation with the student. This is designed for the teacher to evoke interest, prior knowledge, and help while laying the groundwork for a particular lesson.

5. When do you Guide? • The guide method is typically used as part of the introduction or the inform part of a lesson. It also can be used when providing feedback to the student to assist them in thinking through a solution. • When a students is exposed to Access (a database program) for the first time, the teacher can ask questions that allow the students to become aware of how a database is similar to or relates to things in their everyday lives. (i.e. telephone directory)

6. Active Learning Method • This method is used when students are engaged in activities that assist them in absorbing information already presented or guided by the instructor. Students can use a variety of techniques to help them mentally absorb information. Venn diagrams, graphs, taking notes, highlighting text, and mnemonics are all examples of active learning methods that make it easier for students to process information.

7. When do you use Active Learning? • The active learning method would be used during the inform or the practice with a friend component of a lesson. • After introducing a lesson, students can be assigned an activity to assist them in learning the necessary vocabulary for the lesson. This could be as fun as a crossword puzzle or as simple as writing a paragraph using the words correctly.

8. Collaborative Learning Method • This method exists when students work together in groups of two or more on a activity designed to reinforce information that has been previously presented by the instructor. Students are encouraged to work on coming to an agreement toward a common goal. Discussion, brainstorming, constructive disagreement are all part of the process leading students to an agreed upon solution.

9. When do you use Collaborative Learning? • The collaborative learning method would be used during the practice with a friend or the show what you know component of a lesson. • Given necessary information, students must work together to decide which MS Office program would be best to use in the given situation, how to enter, process and present the data in the best possible manner.

10. Problem-based Learning Method • This method provides an opportunity for a student to work through a realistic situation using any necessary resources (the instructor acts as a resource/support). The student needs to understand the given problem and work on possible solutions with the support of the instructor.

11. When do you use Problem Based Learning? • The problem based learning method would be used during the practice with a friend or show what you know component of a lesson. • Students would be given information regarding a realistic computer based problem. They would have to decide which MS Office program should be used and apply the necessary steps within that program to solve the problem. They also should be able to justify why they made those decisions.

12. Role-Play Method • This method is designed for teamwork. Each member of the team is assigned a role. Each role is meant to contribute to a problem situation. Students need to identify problems to solve and use resources to gather the necessary information to solve the problem. The teacher acts as a facilitator.

13. When do you use Role Play Learning? • The role play learning method would be used during the practice with a friend or show what you know component of a lesson. • Students would be given a computer problem in which specific roles are necessary to fulfill different tasks in a combined effort for a solution. Possible roles would be project leader, data entry person, project analyst, and technical advisor. Teams would need to understand the part each of those roles play in solving the problem.