Teaching Aptitude — Teaching methods and maxims

Overview

A teaching method is the way content is presented to learners. Methods range from teacher-centred (lecture) to learner-centred (project, discovery).

Key concepts

• Teacher-centred: lecture, dictation, demonstration. Efficient for large groups but learners can stay passive.
• Learner-centred: project method, problem-solving, discovery, discussion. Learners actively build understanding.
• Maxims of teaching: known to unknown, simple to complex, concrete to abstract, particular to general, whole to part.

Important points

• The project method is linked with Kilpatrick and is among the most learner-centred methods.
• Choose a method based on the objective, the learners and the content, not habit.

Quick revision

Active methods → deeper learning. Maxims start from what learners already know and move to the new and abstract.