Every student is different learning individuals. They have their own learning styles. They have their own study habits. With those things, it is the teacher’s task to maximize the use of learning strategies that suit different types of learners.
A teacher can provide various types of instructions to bring excitement and creativity to the students. She makes sure that the activities provided change every day, and it can match different learners.
Group activity provides collaboration and camaraderie among the learners. They will be given a chance to mingle with others and to work achieving one goal. Everyone must share their little part to contribute to the project on a meaningful way. This cooperative strategy motivates students to brain storming. This will test their decision-making. In terms of problems they will be encountering. This will also check their ability to listen to others’ opinions, ideas, and suggestions.
According to the National Survey, a well-constructed collaborative project helps students to plan and manage time, develop stronger communicative skills, give and receive feedback on performance, refine understanding through discussion and explanation, and help each other to break the complex task into parts and steps.
Another strategy is learning by doing. A common quote says experience is the best teacher. Give a student a chance to apply the learning they have into the real-life situation. Another concept by doing is what you called experiential learning. This makes the learning exciting and rewarding experience. Activities like field trips that can be done in local area. Students may also send outside the room to incorporate learning. Example in English class, the teacher’s topic for the day is about different camera shot types, after the discussion she brings the students outside to get some pictures about different camera shot types, with this way learning can be maximized.
Next strategy is the hands on learning activities. Research shows the more active the brain in different areas, the greater the chance of retention. Students can do the sketching or drawing as a part of the activity or after the discussion then he or she shares this thing to the peer, then it makes more connection and retention to the brain. For instance students may present rap, chant or sing a song related to the theme of the lesson. Math can have a role playing about a certain mathematical problem. These activities encourage more creativity and resourcefulness.
The effectiveness of the direct instruction doesn’t diminish over time. This is what we call the traditional method. If direct instruction is done properly, it helps the students to know the purpose why they are doing the activities. Direct instruction uses to introduce a new lesson. It is important to emphasize the broader concepts as a whole to ensure comprehension. Direct instruction also helps to establish order in the classroom and minimize distractions and disruptions.
Teaching the 21st century learners need also 21st century teachers. We need to interchange different teaching strategy and techniques to fit the students of this generation. This will make our class fun and exciting.
By: Eloisa A. Irasga | Teacher III | MNHS-Malaya
