Education's Teaching Methods

For improvement in education issues, the public must be familiar with current policy, leaders, trends and teaching methods. Perhaps more specifically, parents need awareness of education's happenings. Parents make great motivators toward education change, as their beloveds are the receivers of education. Teaching methods are another quiet force in education, as parents and students rarely realize the components of a teacher's lesson. Although they may be referred to in different ways, "teaching methods" commonly refer to the principles and methods used for instruction. Teachers almost solely determine what teaching methods to use and not.

No one teach method is grossly successful or unsuccessful. What works in one situation may not work for a new class. So, their implementations are left up to teachers. Couple that with the complexities of teaching methods (such as required legwork, school resources or teacher expertise) and students may not see delivered teaching methods like the textbooks perceived. Seamlessly integrating teaching methods into a lesson and switching mid-class period requires talent and practice; the ability and flexibility to implement and manage appropriate teaching methods is perhaps the strongest case for seasoned teachers. A small yet loud movement that dismisses teachers quickly may throw away that important first teaching year where teachers learn invaluable lessons concerning teaching methods. Another necessity in successful teaching methods is knowing their proper use.

'Jigsaw' is a popular teaching method. In 'jigsaw,' students either work in groups or individually. The teacher provides every student with an assignment, perhaps math problems or a nonfiction article. The assignment is then divided into sections. If a class has 26 students, the teacher 'jigsaws' that nonfiction article 26 ways. Students then read their section and each student reports to the class his section, so students theoretically cover the complete article, when they really only read a small section. Jigsaw can work, for instance with review sheets before a large test. Unfortunately, jigsaw is a commonly misused teaching method, for instance; what part of an assigned chapter is necessary for child #1 to read, but unnecessary for child #2? Students cannot grasp the entire meaning or theme of a reading assignment from summaries, nor should we want them to do so. Part of assigned reading is practicing comprehension skills and interpreting meaning. Jigsaw is too often the television version of an education.

Differentiation with teaching methods varies class periods and engages students. They comprise a lesson and are necessary. However society, and parents especially, should not swallow the flowing names of teaching methods during Open House. Unless parents understand teaching methods and question their functionality, they may stubbornly remain like inhibiting policies. For example, like NCLB, most of these methods sound good (who wants to leave a child behind somewhere?). Also, like NCLB, they have strong points but the higher powers can manipulate and misuse them. Like NCLB, parents understand teaching methods, as they influence students' educations daily. Finally, parents should learn about them before the question arises of how to eliminate the problems they created.

Photo Credit: Micah Sittig