Posted: May 25th, 2015

Teaching Methods

Part A: Answer the following questions in one to three paragraphs each:
• Given your intended (or present) teaching level and your goals, what reasons do you believe are most important for using small-group instruction?
• Which of the various cooperative learning methods discussed in the texts would be the most appropriate for use in your subject matter?
• The lecture method is often used heavily, if not exclusively, in many classrooms, despite the criticisms of overusing the approach. Explain ways to (a) avoid overuse of the lecture mode of instruction and (b) use the approach effectively when you choose it.
• Think of a topic in your subject area that would lend itself well to a discussion. Write out a sequence of questions you might use to advance the discussion fruitfully.
• What is the definition of an effective question? Give several examples of effective questions for your subject area. Please tell whether each question is convergent or divergent (or both).
• Would regular homework assignments be appropriate in your subject area and teaching context? What kinds of assignments and for what purposes?
• What types of learning activities and teaching methods did you most enjoy as a student? Are these the same ones from which you learned the most? Give specific examples.

Part B: Classroom Observation
For specific details and information on how to approach each of these observations, found in the Course Introduction section.
The focus of Unit 4 has been specific teaching methods. As you observe classrooms for this unit, please keep this focus in mind.
The written requirements for the Unit 4 observation are as follows:
1. A page of introduction that includes:
• Date, time, and place of observation.
• Specific class being taught (subject and level), duration of class period, number of students in class.
• Lesson(s) or unit being taught on that day.
• General layout of seats, general description of the environment.
• Other factors that might impact the observation: unique characteristics of the class, the mood in the room or school as a whole, directly before or after a holiday, end-of-term exam time, etc.
• A brief description of the teacher: male or female, how many years teaching, particular style of interaction, any unique traits.
2. Detailed answers (one or two paragraphs each) to the following questions:
• Which instructional methods did the teacher use for the lesson? Which ones seemed most effective to enhance learning? Why? Were there any examples of cooperative learning activities?
• Give specific examples of questions used by the teacher. Would you consider the questioning to be effective? What types of questions did the teacher use? Remember to keep careful track of the teacher’s use of questions as you observe.
• How much of the lesson was student-centered, or student-directed? How much of it was teacher-centered? Was the time generally well managed?
• What questions, comments, reflection, or insights do you have concerning this unit of study and observation?