Teaching Methods

EDU 412/413

Lecture

STRENGTHS factual material

presented in a direct, logical manner

expertise can inspire stimulates thinking to

open discussion useful for large groups

LIMITATIONS experts are not always

good teachers audience remains

passive learning is difficult to

assess one way

communication

Lecture with Discussion

STRENGTHS audience is involved,

at least after the lecture

audience can question, clarify & challenge

LIMITATIONS discussion is limited by

time constraints teaching quality

depends on the quality of questions and discussion

Panel of Experts

STRENGTHS allows expertise from

different opinions can provoke better

discussion than a one person lecture

frequent change of speaker keeps students’ attention

LIMITATIONS experts may not be

good speakers personalities may

overshadow content content may not be

presented in logical order

Brainstorming

STRENGTHS allows for creative thinking

and new ideas encourages full

participation because all ideas equally recorded

draws on everyone’s knowledge and experience

congeniality reigns one idea can spark other

ideas

LIMITATIONS can be unfocused needs to be limited

5 - 7 minutes

people may have difficulty getting away from what is known

if not facilitated well, criticism may occur

Videotapes

STRENGTHS entertaining way of

presenting content and raising issues

keep group's attention looks professional stimulates discussion

LIMITATIONS can raise too many

issues to foster a focused discussion

discussion may not have full participation

only as effective as ensuing discussion

Class Discussion

STRENGTHS pools ideas and

experiences from full group

effective after a presentation, film or experience that needs to be analyzed

allows everyone to participate in an active process

LIMITATIONS not practical with more

that 20 people can be dominated by a

few people others may not

participate at all time consuming can get off focus

Small Group Discussion

STRENGTHS allows participation of

everyone people often more

comfortable in small groups

can reach group consensus

LIMITATIONS needs careful thought

to determine the group’s purpose

group can get side tracked

Case Studies

STRENGTHS develops critical

thinking, analytic and problem solving skills

allows for exploration of solutions for complex issues

students can apply new knowledge and skills

LIMITATIONS people may not see

relevance to own experience

insufficient information can lead to inappropriate results

Role Playing

STRENGTHS introduces problem

situation dramatically provides opportunity for

multiple perspectives; people assume varied roles

allows for exploration of solutions

provides opportunity to practice skills

LIMITATIONS people may be too

self-conscious for dramatic skits

not appropriate for large groups

people may feel threatened by roles

Report-Back Sessions

STRENGTHS allows for large group

discussion of role plays, case studies, and small group exercise

reflection on experience each group takes

responsibility for its task

LIMITATIONS can be repetitive if

each small group says the same thing

Worksheets / Surveys

STRENGTHS allows people to think

for themselves without being influenced by others

students are active in their learning

easy assessment

LIMITATIONS can be used only for

short period of time

Guest Speaker

STRENGTHS personalizes topic immediate expertise breaks down

audience's stereotypes

LIMITATIONS may not be a good

speaker costly