METHODS OF TEACHING

This table shows some of the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of teaching.

METHOD

ADVANTAGES

PROBLEMS/

DISADVANTAGES

Demonstrations

Best for learning of skills.

Involves eyes and other

senses as well as listening.

Leads to clear understanding

of practical topics.

More interesting than telling.

Needs careful planning.

Equipment may not be

available.

Some people may not see clearly.

Practical

Students learn best by doing.

Students can practice for

themselves.

Skills more likely to be

remembered.

Needs good organization.

Equipment or materials

may not be available.

Difficult in large classes.

Experiments

Students find information for themselves instead of being told it.

Students think and reason for themselves.

Practice in careful

observation.

Equipment may not be

available.

May not give the results

you want.

Takes longer than telling.

Lecturing

Gives a lot of information

in a short time.

Easy for the teacher.

Good for large groups.

Students passive – not

involved in lesson.

Students minds may

wander.

Most people cannot listen

attentively for more than

15 to 20 minutes.

No check on students’

understanding or

learning.

Note giving

Gives information to

students.

Students have a record

for study and use later.

Easy for teacher.

Students may not

understand what they are writing or reading.

May be boring for students.

Useless if not preceded or

followed by explanation.

Questioning

Involves students in lesson.

Tests understanding.

Helps students to ask what

they don’t understand.

_{Some students may}

_{remain passive.}

Students may be

frightened to be asked.

Students may not ask

questions.

Some topics may not be as

clear as lecturing.

Discussion

Makes students think for

themselves.

Involves many students.

Helps to change ideas

and attitudes.

Students find out ideas of

others.

Exposure to many ideas.

Teaches cooperation.

Students may not have

enough ideas.

Some may not participate.

May be dominated by one

or two people.

May go off the topic.

Brainstorming

Gets lots of ideas.

Encourages new ideas

and originality.

Students may not be

frightened to give ideas.

Some students may be

frightened to give ideas.

Can become

disorganized or off the

topic.

Ideas must be recorded.

Seminars

Helps individuals to talk

and gain confidence.

Encourages research

and preparation.

May be less helpful to

other students.

Some may be bored.

Some may make fun of the

presenter.

Group work or projects.

Helps if not enough

equipment available for all.

Encourages cooperation.

Can be used for large projects

with concrete results.

Groups can retain what

they produce.

Some may not cooperate.

All work may be done by a few.

Different groups may take different times.

Other methods

Put your group’s ideas here.