I have included on this page some of my contributions on the discussion forum.
Different types of teaching methods
Lecture – try to vary the pitch and tone of your voice. It doesn’t matter how interesting the topic is, the animation of your voice will keep the interest of the students. In order to engage students it is vital to maintain eye contact with all the students. Use physical gestures to emphasize points. Break away from the front of the class and move around in order to maintain contact with the students. Be conversational in tone and use humour since students are more motivated when they are having fun. Questions can be used and can stimulate interaction throughout the lecture. Involving students helps maintain their attention which is vital when information is complex and lectures are long.
Debate – the
teacher should pick out an interesting topic relating to the school curriculum
and make the debate about fun and learning. It’s the teacher’s duty to make the
learners understand that they shouldn’t be focused on winning the debate only
but it is also about seeing different topics in different ways. The
teacher should ensure that learners hear each other viewpoints and learn from
each other. The teacher should also intervene when the debate goes off topic or
gets personal. It is vital for the educator to manage the debate and set rules
so the learners know which boundaries not to cross. The teacher can make it fun
by adding incentives for whoever makes the most effort and most points.
Class Discussion – when
you ask a discussion question, call on a student by letting them catch a ball.
Make sure to set the rules clear and stop if they are broken. Divide the class
into groups and allow them to have their own discussion and come up with their
own answers and solutions. This will give them the chance to interact with each
other and learn how to be part of a team. Keep the questioning longer by
engaging other students. When the first student answers a question, ask another
student if he/she agrees or disagrees with that answer. Another way to
make a class discussion effective is to re-arrange the classroom so that the
students are able to hear each other clearly.
How each method can be applied to make the lesson interesting and effective.
Discussions of any sort are supposed to help us
develop a better perspective on issues by bringing out diverse viewpoints.
Whenever we exchange differing views on an issue, we get a clearer picture of
the problem and are able to understand it. The understanding makes us better
equipped to deal with the problem. This is precisely the main purpose of a
discussion. I believe that there is a difference between group discussion and
class discussion.
Discussions in the classroom can lead to greater
student understanding but this does not automatically happen. Discussions can
be fruitful when the teacher is clear on the reasons for conducting
discussions, adopts approaches for making the discussions productive, and is
comfortable with the various roles the teacher must play in discussions.
Reasons for using discussions
1. It helps students explore
a diversity of perspectives.
2. It increases
students' awareness of and tolerance for ambiguity and complexity.
3. It helps students
recognize and investigate their assumptions.
4. It encourages
attentive, respectful listening.
5. It develops new
appreciation for continuing differences.
6. It increases
intellectual agility.
7. It helps students
become connected to a topic.
8. It shows respect
for students' voices and experiences.
9. It develops the
capacity for the clear communication of ideas and meaning.
10. It develops habits
of collaborative learning.
11. It increases
breadth and makes students more empathetic.
12. Group Discussion is
a modern method of assessing students personality, Leadership skills, people
handling skills, Team work
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