Understanding Teaching: Style, Method, Strategy, and Methodology

Understanding Teaching: Style, Method, Strategy, and Methodology

1. Teaching Style

Definition:
The personal way a teacher teaches, reflecting their personality, attitude, and interaction with students.

Key Points:

  • Focuses on how the teacher delivers lessons.

  • Influenced by teacher’s beliefs, temperament, and experience.

  • Can be authoritative, democratic, facilitative, or consultative.

Example:

  • A teacher encouraging group discussions vs. a teacher giving strict lectures.


2. Teaching Method

Definition:
The systematic plan or approach used to teach a subject or skill.

Key Points:

  • Focused on what the teacher does to make students learn.

  • Usually structured and formal.

  • Methods can be lecture method, demonstration method, discussion method, project method.

Example:

  • Using the lecture method to teach history or the demonstration method to teach a science experiment.


3. Teaching Strategy

Definition:
A specific technique or approach used to achieve particular learning objectives.

Key Points:

  • More flexible and targeted than a method.

  • Focuses on how to engage students or overcome learning difficulties.

  • Often combines multiple methods or activities.

Example:

  • Using think-pair-share to encourage participation in a class.

  • Applying scaffolding to support weak learners.


4. Teaching Methodology

Definition:
The overall theory and analysis behind teaching methods and strategies, including why and how they are used.

Key Points:

  • Broad concept that guides the selection of teaching methods and strategies.

  • Includes philosophy, principles, and rationale for teaching.

  • Focuses on systematic planning, evaluation, and adaptation.

Example:

  • Constructivist methodology: Students learn by constructing knowledge through experience.

  • Behaviorist methodology: Focus on reinforcement and observable outcomes.

Author

Scroll to Top