Here is a complete list of teaching methods are strategies. Knowledge of both is essential to building a career in the teaching field. Learn this all and how to prepare for a lecture.
The Complete List of Teaching Methods and Strategies.pdf
1. The Complete List of Teaching Methods and
Strategies
Overview
Teachers are the main asset of a country because they are nation
builders. Teachers and education systems play a vital role in building an
individual’s character, and great teachers have set examples of changing
their student’s lives. Therefore, one country should invest more in its
educational institutes and teachers to succeed. You can find an endless
amount of stories about how appropriate teaching methods and strategies
have brought remarkable changes in a st udent’s life. The art of teaching
matters a lot. To be a successful teacher, one should know all the possible
teaching methods and strategies and use them correctly because students
learn better when their teacher knows which teaching method will engage
the students more.
2. Meet the Best Teacher for Free >>
Bertrand Russell has summed up the whole process in his quo te as:
‘More important than the curriculum is the question of the methods of
teaching and the spirit in which the teaching is given.’
After reading this blog, you will understand the difference between
teaching methods and strategies, different teaching me thodologies and
strategies, their advantages and disadvantages, and how a teacher should
prepare himself before the class lecture.
So let’s get started.
Difference between teaching methods and strategies
Methods and strategies are two different terms, but both are essential to
make a class full of students of different caliber and understand the same
subject. The method is a process, procedure, or way something is done or
implementing a plan. While on the other hand, strategy is the goal, set of
actions, or plans to achieve one aim or something. Let me clarify it with
an example: strategy is how a teacher makes a whole year’s plan to
complete a specific book or syllabus, and the method is how that teacher
delivered the lecture or which way the teacher select s to do a task.
And there is a list of teaching methods and strategies acquired by the
teachers or instructors that you will read below. The ideal teaching
method is the one in which the learning of students occurs the most.
Teaching and learning are considered the two sides of a coin, and for
completing the teaching side, teachers should consider all the teaching
strategies and methods.
Types of teaching methods
3. The way of teaching is categorized into different types of teaching
methods adopted by the teachers, and most of them are mentioned
below:
Teacher centered method
It is the method where the teacher is the only expert or an authority
figure for the learners or students. They rely on the expert and receive
knowledge to achieve positive grades in the end exams or assessments.
The lecture method is used in the teacher-centered method, and it
requires very little involvement of students or learners during the
teaching process. It is also called a closed -ended method if the
involvement of learners or students is zero.
Learner-centered method
In this teaching method, the teachers play a dual role. They act as
learners and teachers; they learn new things every day while delivering
4. the lecture. The learner-centered method is beneficial for both teacher
and the student. The best way to implement this met hod is to follow the
class’s discussion, inquiry-based, or discovery strategies.
Content-focused methods
Among different teaching methodologies, the teacher can use the content -
focused method when the content, set of information, or skill taught by
the teachers or experts cannot be changed or altered. It means the
content to be taught is so important or unimpeachable that both the
learner and the teacher have to fit in the subject without being critical
about the content.
Interactive or participative method
It is the type of learning method that is considered beneficial for both the
learners and the teachers. The teacher’s responsibility is to explain the
key points or the importance of following the interactive or participating
method during class in general so that students may not resist following
it. Many strategies are used in this teaching method like writing exercises,
think-pair-share, debate, problem-based learning, or situation analysis.
The lecture method
One of the most commonly used formal or semiformal teaching methods
is the lecture method. Teachers mostly use this method for a large class.
In this method, the teachers pick a topic and explain its basic definitions,
facts, events, principles and clarify the whole point of the subject or topic
with relevant examples and problems. The students are allowed to take
notes and ask questions at the end of a lecture, and the master of the
subject has to answer them all. Thus, in this method, a teacher is the
main role model for the large class, and it has a strong mastery of that
specific subject.
5. The discussion method
The discussion method can only be followed when the teacher is highly
skilled and disciplined. Because in this two -way communication method,
students are prepared to listen to their fellow’s point of view and
exchange ideas. The role of a teacher is to introduce disciplined group
discussion techniques among students and clear the concept of the topic
meanwhile. This method is mainly used to utilize the knowledge,
experience, and creativity of each student. When the whole discussion
ends, the teacher corrects the mistakes and clears the debatable
concepts.
The study assignment method
It is one of those teaching methods that promote active learning. In this
method, the teacher or an instructor assigns a task to students before the
class. It can be a book or research paper reading, project analysis, or any
relevant material review. This method enhances the research skill abilities
of students, and the discussion part in class makes the teacher and
students know different points of view of each other.
The tutorial method
It is a teaching method that can only be used when a teacher or an
instructor teaches one student and works directly. This method is also
known as online tutoring, and it demands more money and time, unlike
other teaching methods. Those who follow such methods know the safety
and active participation of both learner and the reader. The tutorial
teaching methods are user-friendly. The students can skip or restart the
lesson any time, leave the tutorial in between, or get access to it when
they feel like learning or motivated. Mostly these are the recorded
lectures.
6. The seminar method
The seminar method is one of the costly teaching methods used by the
experts or teachers to guide or educate the students about a certain topic
or project. In this method, the instructors make groups of students work
on their projects and then ask them to exch ange the information or
techniques used while completing the project. Highly professional; or
competent teachers must arrange a seminar method and then evaluate
the study, research paper, or project.
The demonstration method
The demonstration method is the kind of teaching method in which the
teacher has to perform something or an operation to make its learner
understand deeply and clearly. It can be the functioning of a tool or
equipment, teaching troubleshooting, performing a certain job or an
operation or anything. This teaching method can only be proposed when
the instructor explains the why, how, where, what, and when. If the highly
competent teacher will choose the method and rehearse well before
teaching, it will save time, and the clarity of operatio n will help the
students perform right. The demonstration teaching method is mostly
used in laboratories.
Direct teaching
The direct teaching method is commonly used in all institutions as it
makes the teacher or an instructor directly communicate with the ir
student within the school or institution premises. This method lessens the
communication barrier between students and the teacher. It focuses on
the immediate teaching process, and the students are allowed to ask
questions or give suggestions in between , with certain time limitations.
Online teaching method
7. One of the most flexible teaching methods is the online teaching method.
The teacher and the learner can offer a flexible timescale, which is
unrestricted to time and place. Both can communicate with each other via
email or any other digital support. The access to recorded lectures after
the online session helps the students to listen to them later and
understand better. The advancement of technology has turned learners
into online learning in the last few decades.
Online and private tutors have their way of teaching concepts within a
certain time limit. Students with jobs mostly use this teaching method to
learn during their free time and achieve their desired goals without
moving places.
Independent study or practice
Some teachers or an instructor follow the ind ependent study or practice
teaching method because this improves the self-learning or self-study
abilities of the students. In such methods, teachers mostly assign the
same task to each student to practice or study it from home on their own,
and then the other day, teachers evaluate the task and solve the students’
queries.
Types of teaching strategies
Before moving to the teaching strategies, I would like to add a quote from
Benjamin Franklin, which says:
‘Tell me and I forgot. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.’
And this is how the teaching strategies work on students.
8. Classroom management
The very first strategy to engage all the students of a class is its
management. The etiquette of a class is matters, and so does the
management of the whole class. If you start listing down the classroo m
management strategies, the list will go on because it has its own set of
techniques and different strategies to keep the class managed. Before
moving to the teaching method, the teacher or an instructor should
acknowledge the whole class management rules in dos and don’ts.
Develop an atmosphere of learning
The atmosphere of learning matters the most because no matter how well
the teacher or an instructor delivers the lecture, it’s futile if the
atmosphere does not support that all students are willing to learn or
excited to start the new chapter or topic. So, to develop a learning
atmosphere, the expert should get the whole class’s attention and inform
9. them of the facts and purpose of reading the lecture. The more they will
show interest in learning a subject, the more they will learn.
Celebrate achievements
Teachers should assign certain achievement levels with a reward to keep
the whole class motivated to learn and do better. And the reward could be
anything like the winning student will display their wor k in the school
assembly or get to read the whole chapter and get candy from their
teacher in return. The celebration can be small or big, it doesn’t matter,
but the outcomes of celebrating success will make huge positive
differences in a student’s life.
This teaching strategy is mostly used by the primary or secondary level
student teachers to motivate and build students’ confidence. Teachers
who make use of this strategy more often prepare the future winners .
There is no failure. Only feedback. – Robert Allen
Flexible seating
The appropriate seating in the classroom that keeps the students
comfortable is the utmost teaching strategy. Here the flexible seating of
both the teacher and the learner matters. Institutions of all levels should
follow many flexible seating ideas. Because if the students are sitting
uncomfortably, then they will not be able to focus on the lecture.
It is more of an institution’s duty to take care of students’ sitting comfort
and posture because students spend a lot of their day at schools or
colleges.
Active learning
10. Active learning strategy is one of those strategies that not only help the
students but the teachers too. The discussion break between the lecture
and asking students to submit the clearest point after the lecture keeps
the whole class attentive, and it’s called active learning. Their
participation makes the teacher understand which part of the lecture has
gotten more attention. Such smart tactics or quick questions in between
lectures make the student learn better and faster.
Focus on student’s interests
When teachers focus on a student’s interests, it helps them understand
the nature of their students way better, and ultimately, they follow the
teaching method that can be more effective. And the constructive
feedback on what students have done and what th ey have not mastered
helped them determine how they could improve that mastery. This
strategy makes the bond of student and teacher strong and improves the
learning environment.
‘There is no failure. Only feedback.
’–Robert Allen
Differentiated instruction
One of the most useful teaching strategies is differentiated instruction. In
this strategy, the teacher assigns tasks to each student based on abilities
and interests. Doing so the students who are struggling will get the
proper support or help, and the students with academic skills or
capabilities will be assigned tasks that match their caliber. It ensures the
dedicated behavior of teachers after knowing everyone’s learning gaps,
and no student remains left behind.
Personalized learning
11. Teachers should focus on personalized learning strategy a bit too much.
Students should review their content once learned. Sometimes, students’
queries remain unanswered and make all the students master their
studies. Teachers should assign tasks to each individual accordin g to their
learning capability and style. This teaching strategy will help students
develop reliability, motivation, self -learning, self-advocacy, and self-
reflective abilities.
Peer teaching method
The teacher should follow the peer teaching strategy some times. It is
being said that ‘to teach is to learn twice,’ which is the same case with
this strategy. Peer teaching has its advantages and disadvantages, but it
is worth pursuing a disciplined class atmosphere as it grows the student’s
confidence and enhances communication skills.
“The best answer to the question, ‘what is the most effective
teaching method?’ depends on the goal, the student, the
content, and the teacher. But the next best answer is,
‘Students teaching other students’.”
Wilbert J. MacKeachie
Response to intervention RTI
RTI, or Response to intervention, is one of the general teaching strategies
that should be considered from day one of teaching. This strategy is to
find out the learning and behavior needs of the students. Teachers should
start the intervention process ear ly in each class because the earlier the
teacher understands the RTI strategies, the easier it will be to follow a
better teaching method.
Project-based learning
12. Experienced teachers agree on the importance of getting students to
recap the information learned during the lesson. And when it comes to
project-based learning, it is important to educate students about what
they need to learn to complete the assigned project. It is also crucial to
get them to engage with the content actively. So, to foster their
engagement, it is important to promote project -based learning in groups.
Teachers should make the groups of students quite carefully and
selectively as each student’s learning style and ability vary.
Classroom technology
Classroom technology is the best teaching strategy a teacher can use to
keep the whole class engaged. This strategy can be used at any level or
year of education because students get excited when they have to
experience something new for the first time. Video lessons, virtual trips in
geography or history class, animations to help kids learn basic skills, and
many more adapt to this teaching strategy. Moreover, smart whiteboards,
projectors should be used in classrooms.
Blended teaching and learning
In this modern era, teachers should go for a blended teaching strategy. It
is a blend of online and offline teaching and uses digital strategies. Some
students hesitate to speak up in the class, so blended learning works best
for them. They contribute to an online class. Teachers like the blended
teaching and learning strategy because it ensures that all voices are
heard.
Humor in class
The use of humor should be one of the important teaching strategies, as
dry lectures make the students feel b ored and tiring and ultimately makes
them lose interest. In such cases, a pinch of humor will not harm anyone.
13. But teachers should be smart enough to quickly change the atmosphere of
class back to lessons from fun. A comfortable and cozy class environment
captures learners’ attention and results in better understanding and
active learning.
Inquiry-based teaching
Interactive teaching enables students to be instructed by actively
involving them in their learning process through regular teacher -student
interaction, student-student interaction. And taking some time out of the
class for inquiry-based questions helps improve students’ life skills like
communication and problem-solving. The quality of questions matters a
lot, and a teacher should ask the students to inquire with subject -based
questions or other appropriate questions. However, the inquiry -based
teaching strategy has guided inquiry, structured inquiry, open inquiry,
and confirmation inquiry. These all promote the use of long -term memory
of both teachers and learners.
Class gamification
It is observed that lessons learned while playing stays long in the
student’s mind. This teaching strategy keeps the students more engaged
and active in the class. Play and learn techniques should be in each
teacher’s teaching method list. Age requirement shouldn’t be the barrier
because class Gamification builds and improves t he essential skills. A
teacher can play any games to teach the basics like mind games, math
multiplication games, problem-solving games, language learning games
like ESL games, and many more.
Gamification has a future in education, and teachers or instructors should
effectively use this strategy.
Convergent and divergent thinking
14. One of the main teaching strategies that all teachers should be aware of
is two thinking methods: convergent thinking methods and divergent
thinking methods. Teachers should educate their students about its
difference as convergent thinking means there are multiple ways to reach
one solution. On the other hand, the divergent teaching method makes
the students learn and understand the base concepts to solve the given
question or problem.
If the teachers and students know these differences, learning will be
easier and better.
Problem-based learning
One of the essential teaching strategies a teacher or an instructor should
follow is problem-based learning. They should prepare a list of problem -
based open-ended questions before a class and ask the class to solve
them in groups or teams. This technique helps in developing and
improving the transferable and teamwork skills of students, respectively.
Media literacy
Students need to be educated about all the things happening around
them. Like nowadays, students are very active on social media a nd get
influenced quite easily. It’s the responsibility of the teachers to guide
their students and understand what they are consuming from these
platforms. Media literacy lets the students critically think and talk about
the changes and innovations. Teach ers should follow media literacy
activities to bring out the creative side of students.
Visualization
Introducing visualization in class is the most advanc ed teaching strategy
that institutions and teachers can use to make the students understand
15. the textbook content with visuals and the real world. It lets the students
experience the world while sitting in their classrooms. But again, it is just
another strategy to keep the class engaged. The teacher has to play the
main role, Bill Gates has said it too:
“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids to work together
and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.”
Cooperative learning
Teachers should work on cooperative learning strategies in class, once a
week at least. There are many ways to follow this strategy, such as solving
mathematical puzzles, quick fraction questions, performing science
experiments, short drama sketches, group pre sentations, or frequently
asked question-answer sessions among students of the same class. This
teaching strategy improves the verbal skills of students.
Behaviour management
Just like teaching methods, teachers should be acknowledged properly
about the behavior management teaching strategy. Mutual respect of
teachers and students is important to keep the class’s productive learning
and disciplined environment. Institutions or teachers should reward
students based on their behavior during class and overall interaction with
their teachers and fellow mates. Teachers should be strict with this
strategy because a noisy, disturbed, or undisciplined class cannot
promote productive learning.
Professional development
Undoubtedly, teaching is a challenging job becaus e you have to deliver
the same knowledge to students with different mindsets and caliber
simultaneously. It gets exhausting sometimes. To keep the teachers
16. motivated and engaged, they should attend professional development
seminars and people in the same f ield. These will keep the teachers
updated about the new teaching tools, technologies, methods, and
strategies.
How teacher should prepare for a lecture
Even after understanding the teaching strategies and teaching methods,
teachers should prepare themselves before delivering a lecture. Just like a
student rehearsing before giving a presentation. Because teachers too are
presenting themselves and it is their job to keep the attention of the
whole class throughout the lecture. So, to make the lecture qualita tive,
teachers should keep in mind that the lecture should not be too long as it
exhausted the students and lost their attention. The whole theme and the
purpose of studying certain topics should be explained before teaching,
the teachers should use maximum examples or illustrations to make it
easy to understand, usages of approaches and fluency of lecture should
match with the student’s existing knowledge, so they relate to it and
understand more clearly.
Other than considering these points, the teacher sh ould make notes and
rehearse the follow of lecture in advance, checklist the important points,
keep all the relevant textbooks, tools, or other things prepared which
need to be utilized during the lecture, pick the teaching strategy or
teaching method that will go with the topic. Meanwhile, the teacher
should also ensure that if all the students can see or hear him clearly, he
should use the entire why, how, tell, and show techniques to explain the
lecture or the assigned topic.
Lastly, class discipline matters a lot, and teachers should already tell the
students to write down the question if any crosses their mind during the
lecture, and in the last 15 minutes of discussion, they can ask freely one
by one. And it is how the discipline of class and the flow of the lecture
17. will not be disturbed. And if all the students have not got their answers
due to a shortage of time or any other reason, it’s the teacher’s
responsibility first to solve the queries the other day and then teach a
new topic. That’s the complete preparation process of a teacher before
delivering a qualitative lecture.
Conclusion
Here we summed up the difference between teaching strategies and
teaching methods that all teachers should know. Knowing these teaching
methodologies and strategies will make the classrooms a more creative
and dynamic place for students to get qualitative education; furthermore,
if you are a teacher and learning new teaching strategies or methods from
this page, then make sure to use them in your classroom.
In this rapidly changing world, teachers should be given proper guidelines
to transform the smart, creative, and tech knowledge into their students.
And the personality of the teacher should inspire the students to learn
from them and be a better addition to this world. The truth is teaching is
the profession that teaches all the other professions, so edu cational
institutions should invest in providing proper guidelines on types of
teaching methods and teaching strategies from time to time to keep their
teachers updated to the modern world.
Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow
belongs to the people who prepare for it today.
Malcolm X
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