Teaching Methods EDU 412/413

Lecture STRENGTHS  factual material presented in a direct, logical manner  expertise can inspire  stimulates thinking to open discussion  useful for large groups LIMITATIONS  experts are not always good teachers  audience remains passive  learning is difficult to assess  one way communication

Lecture with Discussion STRENGTHS  audience is involved, at least after the lecture  audience can question, clarify & challenge LIMITATIONS  discussion is limited by time constraints  teaching quality depends on the quality of questions and discussion

Panel of Experts STRENGTHS  allows expertise from different opinions  can provoke better discussion than a one person lecture  frequent change of speaker keeps students’ attention LIMITATIONS  experts may not be good speakers  personalities may overshadow content  content may not be presented in logical order

Brainstorming STRENGTHS  allows for creative thinking and new ideas  encourages full participation because all ideas equally recorded  draws on everyone’s knowledge and experience  congeniality reigns  one idea can spark other ideas LIMITATIONS  can be unfocused  needs to be limited minutes  people may have difficulty getting away from what is known  if not facilitated well, criticism may occur

Videotapes STRENGTHS  entertaining way of presenting content and raising issues  keep group's attention  looks professional  stimulates discussion LIMITATIONS  can raise too many issues to foster a focused discussion  discussion may not have full participation  only as effective as ensuing discussion

Class Discussion STRENGTHS  pools ideas and experiences from full group  effective after a presentation, film or experience that needs to be analyzed  allows everyone to participate in an active process LIMITATIONS  not practical with more that 20 people  can be dominated by a few people  others may not participate at all  time consuming  can get off focus

Small Group Discussion STRENGTHS  allows participation of everyone  people often more comfortable in small groups  can reach group consensus LIMITATIONS  needs careful thought to determine the group’s purpose  group can get side tracked

Case Studies STRENGTHS  develops critical thinking, analytic and problem solving skills  allows for exploration of solutions for complex issues  students can apply new knowledge and skills LIMITATIONS  people may not see relevance to own experience  insufficient information can lead to inappropriate results

Role Playing STRENGTHS  introduces problem situation dramatically  provides opportunity for multiple perspectives; people assume varied roles  allows for exploration of solutions  provides opportunity to practice skills LIMITATIONS  people may be too self-conscious for dramatic skits  not appropriate for large groups  people may feel threatened by roles

Report-Back Sessions STRENGTHS  allows for large group discussion of role plays, case studies, and small group exercise  reflection on experience  each group takes responsibility for its task LIMITATIONS  can be repetitive if each small group says the same thing

Worksheets / Surveys STRENGTHS  allows people to think for themselves without being influenced by others  students are active in their learning  easy assessment LIMITATIONS  can be used only for short period of time

Guest Speaker STRENGTHS  personalizes topic  immediate expertise  breaks down audience's stereotypes LIMITATIONS  may not be a good speaker  costly