MR. D'S NOTES ON TEACHING
Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
COPYRIGHT 2001
Chapter 16
Varied Teaching Methods
In this section I would like to cover a number of possible methods. Many of these can be stand-alone methods, or they might be mixed with other methods - again - know what you want to do and where you are going - then select the method/methods to be used.
This section will look briefly at the following methods.
Panel discussion
Symposium
Listening teams
Research reports
Question and answer
Storytelling
Dramatization
Non-projected visuals
Projected visuals
Role play
Projects
Field trip
Testing
Mime
Interview
Bible study methods
Creative design and writing
Circle response
Case study
Brainstorming
Agree-disagree
PANEL DISCUSSION
DEFINED
This is a discussion of a topic by a group of people called to make up the panel. This is done before a class or audience. The panel discusses the values of the alternatives and attempts to come to a consensus on the topic.
ADVANTAGES
The teacher can present information from differing points of view very quickly and efficiently. This is a good method for larger groups when a lecture is not desirable. It allows for presentation of controversial information in a controlled situation.
Ideas may be exchanged among the panelists to give the class a good overview of the subject. This method allows you to bring together people that are quite knowledgeable about the information that they are giving.
If the topic is good, then the attention and retention will be very good as well.
DISADVANTAGES
If the moderator is poor the teacher may find the panel sidetracked or just having a conversation. If there is a failure to structure the program the class may become confused as to the point.
To produce a panel discussion the teacher must be well prepared and knowledgeable of the topic so that he can guide the panel if they stray from the subject. He should provide a summary of the information and positions at the end of the discussion.
He should provide specific topics and program to the panelists so that they are well aware of what is expected of them. Panelists must be well prepared in their area of information.
SYMPOSIUM
DEFINED
A symposium is a series of speeches by several persons on one subject. (These are usually relatively short in length.) A chairperson will introduce the topic and speakers, and limit the speeches to the time allotted.
ADVANTAGES
The use of several speakers speaking on different aspects of the main subject will help to avoid the boredom of the straight lecture. (However, remember this is still lecture.) There is a possibility of giving a great amount of information in a brief time. This information can include a lot of factual information that would be very dry in a lecture by one person.
DISADVANTAGES
The unity of the speeches will be lacking unless there is good preparation.
There is little if any class participation.
The advantage would be that it is good for topics that are to inform and share information. (Aids, abortion, the Democratic or Republican platform.) It is also good for large classes.
The chairperson should summarize at the end. He should plan and organize the speakers before hand so that preparation can take place.
You might consider either a forum or open discussion if time permits, to involve the class.
LISTENING TEAMS
DEFINED
Pairs or trios of students that are assigned specific items to watch for during a film, video, filmstrip or similar presentation.
ADVANTAGES
There is an ability to focus the different teams on different aspects of the presentation.
This will involve the whole class in trying to gain information.
This will make a review of the material possible while at the same time bringing forth special points of interest.
DISADVANTAGES
This method takes time at the end for reports from the teams. If you are limited on time, this would not be the method to use.
To have listening teams the teacher should preview the visual and prepare questions or items for the teams to watch for. (Example: You might have one team look for negative things and the other team look for positive things.)
Give the teams a brief time before the visual to make preparation and become familiar with their questions. Show the visual and follow it with a time for the teams to gather their thoughts together. Have a reporting time from each team, and tie the session up with a summary of your own.
If the class is too small for teams then you could easily have individuals do the same thing.
RESEARCH REPORT
DEFINED
The teacher assigns a topic to the class for study outside of the class. You can do this with one student and have them report to the class or you might have several, or the whole class, prepare reports and have them give verbal reports to the class.
ADVANTAGES
This will increase retention in the one reporting as well as the listener. As in other methods the idea of several giving information as opposed to one person lecturing helps to avoid boredom on the part of the students.
The students are much more involved and interested.
DISADVANTAGES
The student will have to be interested in doing this and have the motivation, or they will likely avoid doing a good job.
The teacher must be at least one week ahead in planning the class so that topics can be assigned.
Material and books may be hard to find if the student isn't near a library.
With this method the interest and motivation would be best raised before the assignment is given. As you seek students to do the research, you might want to ask for volunteers for the first time. This may excite others to help next time.
The topic and thrust and purpose should be very clear, and in writing, so that the student can refer back to it if they need to. The assignments should be made ahead of time so that the student isn't trying to do it at the last minute.
Before the presentations you might suggest things to look for on the part of the other students.
A summary at the end would be excellent.
If you are involving several students, you might assign different aspects of the same topic to gain more information.
QUESTION - ANSWER
DEFINED
The teacher and student exchange questions and answers. Normally the teacher gives the questions and the students give the answers.
ADVANTAGES
This method will stimulate the teacher and student to do some homework.
This allows the teacher to direct the student to begin thinking on special topics and in specific directions.
This method encourages outside study and preparation.
It also helps the student begin to express their thoughts.
DISADVANTAGES
As in many of the methods there is a lot of time consumed.
There tends to be embarrassment on the part of unprepared students - yet that may stimulate study.
It also tends toward boredom if not on an interesting topic.
To use this method make the questions in advance and see to it that they are very clear, concise and to the point while covering the topic you want to cover.
Give enough time for the student to think and respond.
Encourage the pupils to ask questions as well.
The teacher will be able to guide the session to the desired end if he structures his questions properly.
STORY TELLING
DEFINED
The telling of a series of events which leads to a climax.
ADVANTAGES
The story will usually gain interest while stirring the emotions and giving information.
It usually is very interesting and a very painless method of learning.
A story can at times help a group understand a truth that is hard to grasp.
The story method increases retention and you can draw application from the story for life situations.
DISADVANTAGES
Preparation is very time consuming because the story must be very well prepared.
Reading of the story would even be of further disadvantage.
The story, if well told, can be better than the lesson it is placed with. The story can overshadow the lesson.
To use story telling choose a story that fits your aim and age group and go over and over it until you know it very well. Know the characters. Plan inflections and gestures. Get into the story and feel the emotion of it. Build always to the climax. End it as quickly as possible after the climax is delivered.
Don't overuse the story method in older classes, as it will become old very very fast.
DRAMATIZATION
DEFINED
A play or skit - the acting out and verbalization of information or a story.
ADVANTAGES
You can bring past events to life for consideration by your class. It becomes much more real. This will develop self-expression and cooperation in the students and at the same time teach their lesson.
DISADVANTAGES
You may come out of your production with a STAR and some hurt feelings if someone turns out to be very good.
The preparation will be lengthy.
The story may overshadow the thrust of the lesson if the lesson is not well planned.
Some churches might relate this to being too theatrical, so this method should be checked out with the pastor.
We visited a church for the first time and the pastor walked out dressed as an Old Testament character and began a dramatization of the man's life. The process was well done and quite good overall, however the church leadership suggested strongly that it would be more appropriate for an evening service rather than a worship service. The pastor realized that they were correct.
To use the method make the story and information as accurate as possible to help in the impression that the student receives.
The students could write their own script if you have time.
Puppets may be less threatening for some students.
If all the students are not involved, it might be good to have them team listen. Try to have a similar session soon to include those that were left out the first time.
NONPROJECTED VISUALS
DEFINED
These are visuals that are used to assist in the showing of a point in the lesson. This is not a method that can stand alone but is one that can be very effective if used with others. (Examples: Maps, posters, objects, charts or any realia that illustrates your point.)
ADVANTAGES
It will hold the student's attention to the point that is to be made.
The object should help clarify the topic at the moment and help retention of the information.
DISADVANTAGES
Time is involved. You must first think of what is wanted and then acquire it and plan how you will use it.
In the use of visuals use as many different visuals as possible as you go along so that boredom does not set in.
The size should be big enough for all to see or if this is not possible it should be passed around.
Be sure it helps teach instead of detract from what you are doing.
Some Sunday School material publishers suggest or provide the visuals that you need.
Be prepared before the class so that you aren't trying to set things up in the middle of your class session.
In preparing this file, I have realized just how boring this section is, even though it may have valuable information. If you have read this far you must really be interested in the information.
Let me take a break and tell a story that relates to the nonprojected visual. I was told by a friend which was in a finance class of a Christian businessman that had been asked to speak to the class. The man was introduced - walked to the front - removed a wad of money from his pocket and held it high. He related that he always carried lots of money that money meant nothing to him. He handed the roll of money to one of the students and asked that they pass the money around the room.
The man continued to speak on his topic, but was intently following the money with his eyes. So intently in fact that the entire class noticed the occurrence and were completely distracted by the man's reaction in light of his comment that money meant nothing to him. I asked my friend what the topic of the talk was and he could not tell me.
Be sure your visual is going to work before using it to assist in learning.
PROJECTED VISUALS
DEFINED
These are materials that are projected with a projector of some sort. (Film, opaque, slide, overhead, filmstrip etc. Television and VCR equipment are also in this area.)
ADVANTAGES
The projected image usually is very interesting and will help retention.
The overhead can be good because the visuals are easy to transport and use.
It is a good substitute for a chalkboard.
DISADVANTAGES
Preparation time is great.
Overlays take a considerable amount of time. An hour to an hour and a half will produce a fairly nice overlay, however more time may be involved in some.
Films require that the teacher preview them to be sure they are appropriate for showing and to be sure they teach what is desired.
There is also time involved in setting up the equipment.
Unforeseen equipment problems relating to motion pictures is also very frustrating when trying to teach.
If using this method be sure the equipment is set up before class. An extra bulb is needed in case the one in the machine fails.
The teacher must know how to operate the equipment, or have someone that does run it for them.
Introduce the visual and help them know what they are to learn from it.
Discussion or summary after the visual would be very effective.
ROLE PLAY
DEFINED
Acting out a story or life situation with little or no preparation. (Example: If the class was going to talk about the selling of Esau's birthright to Jacob the teacher might enlist two students to read through the text and play out the situation trying to include some of the emotion etc. of the moment.
ADVANTAGES
The group will get into the excitement of it and will be paying attention.
Problems can be presented in a short situation.
It helps the students understand the situation.
It will draw the acting abilities out in the students.
DISADVANTAGES
The students might not get the point across that is desired.
They may not carry through with the situation before cracking up in embarrassment or messing up of lines.
The teacher must be prepared with just the right thing to act out.
Time, as usual, is involved.
If you are to use role playing if it is a life situation, give the student the feel of the situation emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Pick good responsible students to avoid problems.
When the role-play is over have a discussion or question answer time to draw knowledge of the problem presented out to the student and then bring forth application to their life situation.
FIELD TRIP OR PROJECT
DEFINED
Taking a trip to some location for gaining knowledge or producing a result in a project.
ADVANTAGES
This gives the student firsthand experience and knowledge.
If it is a project, there will be a feeling of accomplishment.
The student is learning via sight, as well as hearing, on a field trip.
DISADVANTAGES
The trip may be so interesting that the lesson is lost in the shuffle.
There will be a lot of time spent in this type of teaching. There is much preparation of many, many details.
Projects:
The project may be an outgrowth of a lesson. If you have been teaching on the sanctity of life, then a demonstration at an abortion clinic might interest your students.
Let the students do most of the planning for the entire project. This will make it "theirs.”
Help them to remember all of the details involved.
Have plenty of help to assist the teacher.
After it is all over, try to help them evaluate the whole project from start to finish.
Field trips:
Be sure there is application between the trip and the course of study in the class.
(Examples: If the students are studying the life of Joseph a visit to a museum with an Egyptian exhibit would be beneficial. Or if studying Judaism you might visit a synagogue.)
TESTING
DEFINED
Is an explanation needed for this one? NO!
ADVANTAGES
It will reveal what the student has retained from the class room experience.
It will be an evaluation of what is going on in the overall classroom situation - including your success or failure.
DISADVANTAGES
It is hard to know why there is a lack of retention if a student fails. This will need to come from other sources of information.
To test in younger age groups games and puzzles can be used instead of questions.
In older students there are many types of tests that can be given. I even developed a take home true false test - it was well accepted, even though the grades were not great. They learned valuable information because they had to dig so deep into the material to gain the detail required to properly answer the questions.
The test needs to be prepared in advance and duplicated.
Test for attitude as well as factual retention. (Try to see if they have changed their life style due to the teaching.)
MIME
DEFINED
Mime is the dramatization of some situation or story without the use of words or sounds.
ADVANTAGES
Causes the person to convert ideas into action rather than into words.
DISADVANTAGES
Some students may have trouble doing it. Others will find it hard to follow if the mime is not done properly.
To have a successful mime give clear instructions to the mime students so that they know exactly what they are expected to communicate.
The teacher should have some ideas on hand in case the students draw a blank.
Instruct the observers to watch closely and give them some idea what they are looking for.
INTERVIEW
DEFINED
The student forms questions on a topic then goes forth to interview people. The questions are asked of each individual interviewed.
Information is gathered and reported to the class.
Conclusions and applications are then drawn from the information gathered.
ADVANTAGES
Involves the student while challenging their ability to form thoughts into questions and his ability to approach other people.
This will provide several different viewpoints for discussion.
There will be increased time given to the lesson outside of the classroom.
DISADVANTAGES
The inventiveness and ingenuity of the student will dictate the response that you receive.
You may or may not gain the responses and information that you desire for the thrust of your lesson.
When assigning interviews let the interviewer know what type of information you desire and on what topic. Help him to form his questions the first time or two.
Be sure the interviewer gets outside of the church people for his interview, or you will not be getting the views that you desire.
Using tape recorders would make the interview easier, however some people might not feel comfortable with this sort of thing.
BIBLE STUDY METHODS
DEFINED
There are a number of Bible study methods that would work well in the Sunday School classroom such as Historical study, Topical study or Inductive Bible study
ADVANTAGES
The student is involved in his own education, and as he begins to study he will hopefully be challenged to go further than the assignment.
The Word of God can speak to students without the teacher around in this method.
DISADVANTAGES
Student motivation will determine how well this type of study will go.
To use these methods you should study the methods for yourself, and then teach the method of study to the students.
Give them an assignment to try on their own using this method.
You need to go over what they have learned and be sure that they have learned proper Biblical concepts from the study.
Summarizing the knowledge gained before the session closes would be beneficial.
CREATIVE DESIGN AND WRITING
DEFINED
This is allowing the student to "do their" own design in art or writing to illustrate a part of the lesson that is to be covered.
ADVANTAGES
The student is usually excited that someone wants them to do something THEY want to do. Involvement will be good.
DISADVANTAGES
There will be a need to give time from your class time for them to work on their project.
There may be many materials involved in the design.
In using this method be sure the design or writing is related closely to the lesson that is being taught. This should not be busy work.
Design possibilities are, pictures, collages, doodles, banners, signs, sculpture etc. Encourage all to take part even if they feel that they will do poorly. They will enjoy it as well as learn from it.
CIRCLE RESPONSE
DEFINED
A situation where one question is asked and each student answers it in turn.
ADVANTAGES
Everyone is included in this method.
Individuals learn to communicate through this method.
DISADVANTAGES
This will put some shy students on the spot, and may cause embarrassment.
To do a circle response form a circle with the students. Ask the question and have each student respond in turn. Go a different way around the circle each time so everyone has a chance to be first.
The questions must be constructed so that each student will have some possibility of response to it.
CASE STUDY
DEFINED
A case study is the examination of a life situation that has been told or read.
ADVANTAGES
Interest is usually high and will encourage a variety of responses from the students.
Ask the students to apply Scripture to the situation and draw application from it. The teacher can also then bring forth application if it is needed.
DISADVANTAGES
The life situations, or ideas for them, will need to be prepared beforehand so that they can be presented to the students.
There may not be as much control in this type of situation. The topic will need to be known very well so that the leader is able to guide the direction of the class.
To do a case study if the class is a large group use buzz-groups to involve all of the students. Come together for a gathering of ideas.
BRAINSTORMING
DEFINED
Students respond to questions with short answers as fast as they can with no thought of evaluation.
ADVANTAGES
This excites, for there are no wrong answers at this point, and each can share any idea that comes to mind.
DISADVANTAGES
Control of the direction of the answers is very limited and the instructor may end up in areas they did not anticipate or prepare for.
To do a brainstorm situation use a limited amount of time for this part of the session. Jot each response down on a board or overhead for later evaluation. Have questions well planned to give desired effect upon the students.
When this is over the leader can take time to buzz-group or discuss the answers collected and begin to analyze them
The teacher needs to direct the activities and path of movement so that the class ends at the desired destination.
AGREE - DISAGREE
DEFINED
Questions that have no correct or incorrect answers are presented to students to draw out answers from their own ideas.
ADVANTAGES
This method is flexible. The instructor may go any direction the students take him, or he can guide it with his questions.
It will require the student to think through his ideas and come up with his own decision on the subject, then present it and stand with it or change it if he is correctly challenged on his thinking.
DISADVANTAGES
This method will be threatening to some students, so be careful not to pressure the student.
In this sort of session have them respond to the question either verbally or in writing.
Discuss responses and compare them with the Word of God to see if they are correct.
The teacher needs to know where the lesson is going to end and direct the class toward that point, or else the students will determine it for him.
This is an example that I have seen around for many years. If you were God and you wanted to destroy the world and planned to save only three (or four, if you like) people, which of the following would you save? (There is no answer to this question -- it's merely for discussion and to see what each might think).
1. Bookkeeper (age 31)
2. His wife (6 months pregnant)
3. Black militant (medical student)
4. Historical author (age 42)
5. Hollywood starlet, singer, dancer
6. Bio-chemist
7. Rabbi (age 54)
8. Olympic athlete
9. College Co-ed
10. Policeman and his gun (can't be separated)
The question might come to your mind, how could we use this type of discussion to teach a class?
1. You will find out a lot of how the students view:
The importance of people.
The importance of occupation.
The importance of social status.
The importance of age.
The importance of beauty.
The importance of religion.
The importance of the family.
The importance of the past.
The importance of priorities.
2. You might pick up on any misconceptions or wrong concepts that show up in the conversation to use as subjects for future classes.
3. You might use something similar to stir up interest and open students up at a youth get together.
4. You might pick up on prejudice or other underlying attitudes that should be addressed at a later date.
Do you see any problems with this example?
a. It calls on man to make value judgments that should be left to God.
b. It calls on man to make life and death decisions that should be left to God.
These two principles might be the truths of your lesson!
Can you think of any other variations on this idea that could be used?
If you were going to be marooned on an island what pain reliever would you prefer? NO NO NO NO NO!!!
1. If you knew you were going to be marooned on a desert island for the rest of your life alone, what four books would you take with you?
This question was posed in a movie based on a book by H. G. Wells The Time Machine where the main character traveled in time to a time that he liked. He returned to his library to pick up three or four books to take into the future with him. What books were they, was the question that was left in the viewer's mind.
2. If you were being transported to the moon with your spouse to set up a new colony and you weren't married yet but had all the time you needed to find your special choice for life, what qualities and qualifications would you look for in a mate?
Understand that this is going to be radically different for male and female.
If you were to be given one million dollars what would you do with it? How would you spend it?
REMEMBER with this method - Be sure you have a Biblical point to the whole thing. You do not want to raise more questions than you answer.
Humanism gives no answers because it has none. We don't want to be in the same boat.