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:
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Focuses on how the teacher delivers lessons.
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Influenced by teacher’s beliefs, temperament, and experience.
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Can be authoritative, democratic, facilitative, or consultative.
Example:
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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:
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Focused on what the teacher does to make students learn.
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Usually structured and formal.
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Methods can be lecture method, demonstration method, discussion method, project method.
Example:
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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:
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More flexible and targeted than a method.
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Focuses on how to engage students or overcome learning difficulties.
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Often combines multiple methods or activities.
Example:
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Using think-pair-share to encourage participation in a class.
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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:
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Broad concept that guides the selection of teaching methods and strategies.
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Includes philosophy, principles, and rationale for teaching.
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Focuses on systematic planning, evaluation, and adaptation.
Example:
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Constructivist methodology: Students learn by constructing knowledge through experience.
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Behaviorist methodology: Focus on reinforcement and observable outcomes.
