2F. What are the possibilities for teaching strategies/ideas/activities?

One of the greatest joys of being an educator is that it is a dynamic and exciting profession that allows for personal and professional growth. The act of teaching and learning entails that there are ways to use what has worked before, find and try something new, or adapt according to the needs of your students as you go. The key to having growth as a professional educator, is to plan and organize the key concepts and content with a variety of teaching approaches that make teaching and learning compelling for the variety of learning styles that are inevitable in every class you teach.

Professional educators have a wide range of teaching methods and strategies at their call to facilitate student learning. The goal of presenting these strategies is not to overwhelm, but to inspire teachers with the possibilities. Using a variety of these strategies allows us to be creative in how we organize and teach our courses. The possibilities are exciting. A brief summary description should help in planning your instruction.

Overview of Strategies for Teaching and Learning (source unknown)

Professional educator have access to a wide range of teaching methods and strategies to facilitate student learning. Here are a few examples:

• argument: an attempt to establish belief through a course of reasoning
• book review: an oral or written evaluation of material, usually dealing with its style, format, content, literacy or informational value
• brainstorming: technique for the stimulation of creative thinking in the development of new ideas consists of individual or small group activity in which a deliberate attempt is made to creatively identify possible approaches and solution to a given problem. The group participates in spontaneous and unrestrained discussion, followed by evaluative dialogue
• case study: presentation, sometimes involving role-playing, of a true or synthesized situation to develop the judgment of students who evolve and propose possible solutions, either individually or in groups
• center or station: relevant activities that can be done independently based on a theme, subject area, enrichment or adaptation of content
• collections: student or teacher sharing of interests/artifacts
• computer base: internet, research CD Roms, research skills, networking, communicating
• cooperative learning: a variety of strategies designed to involve students in group process and critical thought
• creative writing: original prose or poetry created with general guidelines
• debate: formal presentation of arguments on both sides of a question before an audience in accordance with standardized procedure
• demonstration: the procedure of doing something in the presence of others either as a means of showing them how to do it themselves, or in order to illustrate a principle or concept
• discovery: (also called guided discovery or inquiry) process of gaining knowledge through inquiry or research or experimentation
• discussion: activity in which people talk together in order to share information about a topic or problem or to seek answers to a problem based on available evidence
• display (often called poster): exhibit or showing of articles, research or synthesis of materials
• document study: usually of original, which may provide evidence or information
• dramatic presentation: composition in verse or prose arranged for enactment to portray life of characters or to tell a story through the actions and dialogue of the players
• drill: repetition intended to bring about improved accuracy and speed of performance
• evaluation: process of ascertaining the value of something by use of a standard of appraisal - includes judgments based on internal evidence and external criteria
• exhibit: collection of objects and materials arranged in a setting in order to convey a unified idea
• experiment: trial of a planned procedure accompanied by control of conditions and/or controlled variation of conditions together with observation of results for the purpose of discovering relationships and evaluating the reasonableness of a given hypothesis
• expert: one who has acquired special skill in or knowledge of a particular subject through professional training and/or practical experience? Can consult an expert. (e.g. internet)
• field trip: students go to places where the materials of instruction may be observed and studied directly in their functional settings
• games: organized play with definite outcomes and rules
• hands-on experience: a learning activity where participants actually apply new knowledge and skills, especially in the production of materials and use of equipment/manipulatives
• illustrated presentation: usually a lecture with visual aids such as overhead projections, charts, power points, and media clips
• independent study: various forms of teaching-learning arrangements in which learners carry out essential tasks and responsibilities to develop the capacity to carry on self-directed learning
• inquiry: a problem-solving mode of investigation which includes the formulation of a hypothesis, gathering/evaluating/organizing data and drawing conclusions
• interview: face-to-face meeting of two or more persons for the purpose of sharing information and ideas
• learning station: a physical location, such as a carrel where individual learning occurs, usually in connection with specific instructions that require stated materials or equipment (e.g. anatomy lab)
• lecture: method of teaching by which the instructor gives an oral presentation of facts or principles, the class usually being "responsible" for taking notes/synthesizing ideas
• manipulative materials: a learning activity by which students learn about concepts by handling raw materials, experimenting with them, learning their characteristics, and constructing knowledge/skills from them
• materials production: planning and making materials such as power point presentations, websites, resource files, or models (e.g. art)
• microteaching: teaching practice in a situation in which a group (2-8) are taught by each other (content, concept, skill)
• model-making: forming a three-dimensional figure with materials to represent an idea or form
• panel: group of individuals having a purposeful conversation on an assigned topics with or without active participation by the audience
• programmed learning: instruction utilizing a workbook, textbook, or mechanical and/or electronic device (e.g. computers)
• question-and-answer: method both of instruction and of oral testing based on the use of questions to be answered by the students (e.g. critical thinking)
• reading: perception and analysis of written symbols as meaningful
• research project: for the purpose of gathering, organizing and presenting information
• role-playing: instructional technique involving a spontaneous portrayal (acting out) of a situation, condition, or circumstance by selected members of a group
• seminar: group of students engaged in research or advanced study meet under the general direction of one or more leaders for a discussion of ideas of mutual interest
• simulation: making the practice and materials as near as possible to the situation in which the learning will be applied
• skit: a short story or sketch included in a review or given separately
• small group work: organization of subgroups within a class for learning according to interests, skills, social needs, or educational needs
• Socratic method: process of discussion led by the teacher to induce the learner to question the validity of their reasoning
• technology: huge variety of media and resources for presentation, communication, research (PowerPoint's, DVD, internet, ask an expert, research reports, YouTube, blogs)
• tour: visit (as to a museum, factory, or historic site) for enjoyment or instruction, usually under the auspices of a guide
• treasure hunt: an instance in which individuals search for something of real or imagined value which has been hidden
• tutorial: a process of instruction whereby an adviser works with a small number of individuals and supervises the pursuit of knowledge, attitudes or skills
• video conference: sharing of knowledge or ideas through visual and audio means
• worksheet: a form designed for the rapid and efficient recording of ideas or data, such as a form used for problem analysis
• workshop: an instructional method in which persons with common interests and problems meet with appropriate specialists to acquire necessary information and develop solutions through presentations and group interactions

The University of Waterloo Center for Teaching Excellence provides a synthesis of practical hints for engaging students in active and varied ways:

• Active learning
• Varying your teaching activities