Evolution of teaching methods[edit]
Ancient education[edit]
About 3000 BC, with the advent of writing, education became more conscious
or self-reflecting, with specialized occupations such
as scribe and astronomer requiring particular skills and
knowledge. Philosophy in ancient Greece led to questions of educational
method entering national discourse.
In his literary work The Republic, Plato described a system of instruction that he
felt would lead to an ideal state. In his dialogues, Plato described the Socratic
method, a form of inquiry and debate intended to stimulate critical thinking and
illuminate ideas.
It has been the intent of many educators since, such as the Roman
educator Quintilian, to find specific, interesting ways to encourage students to
use their intelligence and to help them to learn.
Medieval education[edit]
Comenius, in Bohemia, wanted all children to learn. In his The World in
Pictures, he created an illustrated textbook of things children would be familiar
with in everyday life and used it to teach children. Rabelais described how the
student Gargantua learned about the world, and what is in it.
Much later, Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his Emile, presented methodology to
teach children the elements of science and other subjects. During Napoleonic
warfare, the teaching methodology of Johann Heinrich
Pestalozzi of Switzerland enabled refugee children, of a class believed to be
unteachable[by whom?], to learn. He described this in his account of an educational
experiment at Stanz.[citation needed]
19th century[edit]
Main article: Prussian education system
The Prussian education system was a system of mandatory education dating to
the early 19th century. Parts of the Prussian education system have served as
models for the education systems in a number of other countries,
including Japan and the United States. The Prussian model required classroom
management skills to be incorporated into the teaching process.[16]
20th century[edit]
Newer teaching methods may incorporate television, radio, internet, multi
media, and other modern devices. Some educators[who?] believe that the use
of technology, while facilitating learning to some degree, is not a substitute for
educational methods that encourage critical thinking and a desire to
learn. Inquiry learning is another modern teaching method. A popular teaching
method that is being used by a vast majority of teachers is hands on activities.
Hands-on activities are activities that require movement, talking, and listening,
it activates multiple areas of the brain. "The more parts of your brain you use,
the more likely you are to retain information," says Judy Dodge, author of 25
Quick Formative Assessments for a Differentiated Classroom (Scholastic, 2009)
A teaching method comprises the principles and methods used by teachers to
enable student learning. These strategies are determined partly on subject matter
to be taught and partly by the nature of the learner. For a
particular teaching method to be appropriate and efficient it has to be in relation
with the characteristic of the learner and the type of learning it is supposed to
bring about. Suggestions are there to design and selection of teaching methods
must take into account not only the nature of the subject matter but also how
students learn.[1] In today's school the trend is that it encourages a lot
of creativity. It is a known fact that human advancement comes
through reasoning.[citation needed]
This reasoning and original thought enhances
creativity.
The approaches for teaching can be broadly classified into teacher centered and
student centered. In a teacher-centered approach to learning, teachers are the
main authority figure in this model. Students are viewed as "empty vessels"
whose primary role is to passively receive information (via lectures and direct
instruction) with an end goal of testing and assessment. It is the primary role of
teachers to pass knowledge and information onto their students. In this model,
teaching and assessment are viewed as two separate entities. Student learning is
measured through objectively scored tests and assessments. [2] In Student-
Centered Approach to Learning, while teachers are the authority figure in this
model, teachers and students play an equally active role in the learning process.
The teacher's primary role is to coach and facilitate student learning and overall
comprehension of material. Student learning is measured through both formal
and informal forms of assessment, including group projects, student portfolios,
and class participation. Teaching and assessments are connected; student
learning is continuously measured during teacher instruction. [2] Commonly used
teaching methods may include class participation, demonstration, recitation,
memorization, or combinations of these.
