Methods of teaching refer to the techniques or ways used by the teacher to achieve the goal of teaching- learning process. It involves orderly procedures and regular steps employed by the teacher to ensure mastery of the subject on the part of the pupils and to accomplish the specific and general aims of the lesson.
In the actual teaching- learning situation, the 3 most important factors are the child, the teacher, and the subject matter. The child, as the center of the educative process is considered the most important factor. The teacher guides the child to learn properly and achieve the right things. The subject matter is the lesson to be taught to the child. Through method, the child is guided to appreciate the lesson, to develop attitudes, to acquire habits and skills, and to acquire the outcomes of education.
There is no known best method of teaching. But a method can be effective if:
- It serves as the bridge between the child and the subject matter. The bridge helps the child to get to the other end. It also serves as the link between the child and the community. The methods used in teaching- learning situation help the child develop proper attitude and character traits making him good and productive citizen of the society.
- It uses the principle of “learning by doing”. The child learns through self- activity. Provisions of learning experiences should be made to give him the opportunities for doing and come up with decisions by him.
- It provides for uniqueness. A method should be flexible for individual differences to meet the different levels of knowledge, abilities, needs and interests.
- It develops the power of thinking and reasoning. The child must learn to adjust himself to every situation he meets. He must learn how to deal with problems and learn to overcome his own difficulties.
- It promotes maturity as to knowledge and ideas, values, habits, skills, abilities and the total growth and development of the child. Provisions of varied activities and learning experiences should be made to give the child opportunities for doing, reacting, thinking and reasoning.
By: Mr. Ressie S. Ladringan | Teacher-III | Antonio G. Llamas Elementary School | Mariveles, Bataan
