Effective Teaching

What is effective teaching? In a general since, there is no one right or wrong answer to what is the most effective method. A number of factors must be taken into account before a conclusion can be made. Before we can ask “How am I going to teach?” We must ask, “What am I teaching?” and “Who am I teaching?” The information you wish to convey and the intended audience are the first things to consider.

The information you want your students to learn is the very first thing to take into account. No matter what level your students, you will teach Reading differently than you teach Science; you will teach Math differently than you teach History. Different subjects require different methods in and of themselves. Some content requires that you tell facts, while it is effective to invoke critical thinking with other content. In some instances, it is more effective to use group activities while in other instances, working individually is best.

Now, because my degree is in Elementary Education, I am assuming my students will be somewhere between kindergarten and 6th grade. That is a broad spectrum; however, my audience can vary on many different levels. My students may be below average and struggling, they may be above average and in need of a challenge, or they may be somewhere in between. They may have prior knowledge of the content or no knowledge at all. They may have special needs. They may come from a low socioeconomic background. They may speak a different language. This list could go on forever.

Once I have considered all of these things, and decided the “what” and “who” I can begin to think about the “how.” I think no matter what the case, taking a variety of approaches is good. Each class is different, and each child within the class is different. Using a variety of methods will ensure that the class as a whole is exposed to the information several times. And on the individual level, using variety will allow each student a chance to experience the information in a way that makes since to him or her in particular.

To answer this question more specifically, it may be easier to say what does not work. Worksheets should not be used for teaching, ever. Worksheets can be used for assessment or reinforcing, but not teaching. Reading straight from the teacher’s manual is not effective. The teacher’s manual is a guideline, something to use as a base or a reference. It is hard to be anything but boring if the only time you speak to your students is with your nose in a book. That is a sure fire way to lose the student’s attention, and it is only possible to teach them if you maintain their attention. Only having one approach is not effective for teaching all material, much like one tool is not effective for fixing everything that breaks.

Teacher image found at: <http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/teecher.gif>