WEEK+5+Models+of+Teaching+and+Learning

WEEK 5 MODELS OF TEACHING AND LEARNING We covered a lot of ground in this week’s lecture and tutorial. We were introduced to various models of teaching and learning: POLT, Nine guiding principles, Blooms taxonomy, Co-operative learning, Inquiry-based learning, the 5 E’s of teaching...just to name a few! Reflecting on the lecture notes I am slightly overwhelmed by number of models which we were presented with. I don’t believe the intention was to distress us, rather acknowledge that there is no universal approach that suits every situation. After reviewing the models from the lecture, I found that there was no single approach that I would elect; rather I found that each concept/strategy had something of value to offer.

A model which has been of particular interest to me in the past and present is Howard Gardiner’s Multiple Intelligences. ‘It’s not how smart you are its how you are smart’ (Gardner 2005). I have always had what you could call a ‘soft spot’ for this concept, as I strongly believe that we all have something to offer the world, and MI gives people/students the opportunity to learn and succeed (Gardner 2005). Kornhaber (2001) suggests that its impact has been significant in terms of how people view intelligence, as it helps us to understand how people learn but also how people see the world. This is essential as teachers, for we need to understand the different ways that children learn and why. This will further encourage us to think beyond and help us to reflect on our teaching approaches (Smith 2002). Which models appealed to you? What concepts would you be likely to adopt/consider in your own teaching?

So where do we sit as teachers? I like to think that my pedagogy will be comparable to a box of assorted chocolates; a mix of approaches and combinations of ideas and strategies... appetizing! -MEGAN (12/4/09)

Megan, I too was interested in the multiple intelligence theory. How each student will have different ways of absorbing information and catering for their individual needs is a very important element to be mindful of. I enjoyed your metaphor to a box of chocolates; a mix of approaches and combinations of ideas and strategies to teaching. However, I think as learners ourselves it will be difficult not to have tendencies towards our preferred way of learning and in fact translate that into our teaching. Although it’s hard to narrow individuals into a category of intelligence I think I’d probably label myself the bodily-kinaesthetic learner. I think a lot of my activities would have a hands-on approach where the children were learning through applying knowledge rather than taking notes. I don’t necessarily think of it as a flaw that a lot of my activities will adopt this rather than a strength. I would hope a student experiences many teaching styles in their lifetime, with each teacher exercising their strengths to their potential. I think I would butcher an advanced music class and would rather have an experienced teacher do it justice. I think drawing on other teachers is important and possibly swapping classes to ensure topics are taught correctly with passion and enthusiasm would be a unique tool. As teachers we do have to be knowledgeable in a broad range of areas. So while it’s important for us to be open-minded and study up on our weaknesses it is important to know our limitations. -Sarah (13 April 2009)

Today we where introduced to so many teaching methods and Theorist that I will take into close consideration and practice but what I really grasped onto in today’s lecture was the 5 E’s of teaching: Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate Following these 5 E’s of teaching allows for a daily step by step structure in the classroom allowing for a large creative, educational and variety of teaching approaches. During the lecture we where presented to the Pedagogy, meaning the art of teaching, ‘Effective teachers use an array of teaching strategies because there is no single, universal approach that suits all situations’. http://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/learning/teaching/technology/pedagogy/index.html I think as learning teachers it is in our favor that we stay open to all types of teaching approaches because it is through trial and error that we will find a teaching style that we are not just comfortable with but one that will be challenging, engaging, allow us to think out side the square and achieve our goals beyond what we thought was possible. - KRYSSIA (13/4/09)

I think it is still too early to make decisions on the different models and teaching strategies that we will settle on in the course of our teaching profession. I do agree with Sarah in terms of teachers having a preferred approach to teaching which at times may produce subjective decisions. But Megan’s made a good point of situations when teachers use a variety of models to suit the needs of the students. Therefore I believe majority of times I will used my established preferred method but there will also be many situations when I will have to sacrifice preferred methods for the benefit of my students. In order for teachers to establish a preferred style or theory I also believe like Kryssia along with experience and time, trail and error will also play a big part in our preferred teaching approaches. I believe Teaching Models and strategies are individual traits that will be different in all teachers and there is not one that is better than the other. Throughout my school days I remember each teacher was different which made learning more interesting because of the different learning environments available. Summing up, while it is important to be open minded as teaching professionals to different teaching styles and methods, no matter how good or how many teaching strategies are used, if the teacher is not effective the method cannot teach on its own.- BELINDA (18/04/2009) 