Overview
Teaching Methods
Topic 1
Understanding the 'how' of learning will provide a teaching foundation to help prepare for the next steps in teaching excellence. Whether it relates to the basic principles of memory or the understanding of cognitive overload, gaining an understanding of the past research into learning will ensure your success as a teacher.
Resources
The first resource contains an extensive list of learning theories. To help you get a jump-start on your path towards teaching excellence we recommend you pay special attention to Cognitive Load Theory, Constructivist Theory, Experiential Learning, Multiple Intelligences, and Social Learning Theory. The second resource begins to mesh learning theories with specific learning styles. This will help transition us into the specifics related to individualized learning styles.
Explorations in Learning and Instruction: The Theory Into Practice Database (TIP).
http://www.instructionaldesign.org/index.html
How People Learn (University of Hawaii, Honolulu Community College, Faculty Development, Teaching Tips).
http://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/facdev/guidebk/teachtip/teachtip.htm#learn
Resources
The first resource contains an extensive list of learning theories. To help you get a jump-start on your path towards teaching excellence we recommend you pay special attention to Cognitive Load Theory, Constructivist Theory, Experiential Learning, Multiple Intelligences, and Social Learning Theory. The second resource begins to mesh learning theories with specific learning styles. This will help transition us into the specifics related to individualized learning styles.
Explorations in Learning and Instruction: The Theory Into Practice Database (TIP).
http://www.instructionaldesign.org/index.html
How People Learn (University of Hawaii, Honolulu Community College, Faculty Development, Teaching Tips).
http://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/facdev/guidebk/teachtip/teachtip.htm#learn
Topic 2
As a teacher it is important to understand the different ways students learn. While each student has a unique style for learning, past research has been able to categorize these learning styles to help teachers prepare for the classroom each day. Just as important to understanding the learning styles of students, is the realization that teachers have specific teaching styles. While one teacher may excel in captivating the minds of students through powerful lectures, another teacher may have more success in the creative expression of digital teaching. Understanding your style of teaching can help to elevate the level of educational excellence for you and your students.
Resources
These resources provide specific overviews of learning styles, best practices and instruments available to further educational research.
"Student Learning Styles and Their Implications for Teaching," Susan M. Montgomery and Linda N. Groat. (CRLT Occasional Paper #10, 1998, University of Michigan, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching). PDF/Adobe Acrobat.
http://www.crlt.umich.edu/sites/default/files/resource_files/CRLT_no10.pdf
“Learning Styles: A Review of Theory, Application, and Best Practices,” F. Romanelli, E. Bird, and M. Ryan. In American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, February 19, 2009; 73(1):09
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2690881/
Resources
These resources provide specific overviews of learning styles, best practices and instruments available to further educational research.
"Student Learning Styles and Their Implications for Teaching," Susan M. Montgomery and Linda N. Groat. (CRLT Occasional Paper #10, 1998, University of Michigan, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching). PDF/Adobe Acrobat.
http://www.crlt.umich.edu/sites/default/files/resource_files/CRLT_no10.pdf
“Learning Styles: A Review of Theory, Application, and Best Practices,” F. Romanelli, E. Bird, and M. Ryan. In American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, February 19, 2009; 73(1):09
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2690881/
Topic 3
Suffice it to say, many of us struggle to find motivation from time to time. Understanding students' needs and in particular, their need for motivation can lend itself to achieving teaching excellence. For students, the lack of motivation can arise from an endless list of reasons, whether it is dislike for specific classroom topics, or just overload from multiple exams, digging deeper into the research on student motivation can help to combat these the lulls students experience.
Resources
The first article is of practical use as it provides 14 specific tips to help increase students motivation as it pertains to reading. The second article delves into the research and will open the door to future exploration into this topic.
"Getting Students to Read: Fourteen Tips," Eric H. Hobson, Georgia Southern University (IDEA Paper #40, July 2004). PDF/Adobe Acrobat.
http://ideaedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Idea_Paper_40.pdf
Research into student motivation and strategies for "incorporating methods of motivation into courses."
http://web.stanford.edu/dept/CTL/cgi-bin/docs/newsletter/motivation_to_learn.pdf
Resources
The first article is of practical use as it provides 14 specific tips to help increase students motivation as it pertains to reading. The second article delves into the research and will open the door to future exploration into this topic.
"Getting Students to Read: Fourteen Tips," Eric H. Hobson, Georgia Southern University (IDEA Paper #40, July 2004). PDF/Adobe Acrobat.
http://ideaedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Idea_Paper_40.pdf
Research into student motivation and strategies for "incorporating methods of motivation into courses."
http://web.stanford.edu/dept/CTL/cgi-bin/docs/newsletter/motivation_to_learn.pdf
Topic 4
Bloom's taxonomy is essentially a classification or framework for teachers to follow when progressing through a lesson. The classifications of higher order thinking provides a road map for teachers to use when designing a lesson. At the base level, students will recall basic facts. Progressing through the taxonomy, the level of required understanding will increase as students use a deeper understanding to demonstrate mastery of the content. At the highest level, students may be required to justify their knowledge of a particular subject.
Resources
This resource provides a nice overview of Bloom's taxonomy. The second resource ties into Bloom's, but from a post question development perspective. Creating good questions is one thing, getting students to respond to them is another. Use this resource to gain tips on how to prompt the students' for the responses you want.
"Bloom et al.'s Taxonomy of the Cognitive Domain," W. Huitt, Educational Psychology Interactive (Valdosta State University).
http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cognition/bloom.html
A Practical Approach for Increasing Students' In-Class Questions. (2016).
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/practical-approach-increasing-students-class-questions/?utm_campaign=Faculty Focus
Resources
This resource provides a nice overview of Bloom's taxonomy. The second resource ties into Bloom's, but from a post question development perspective. Creating good questions is one thing, getting students to respond to them is another. Use this resource to gain tips on how to prompt the students' for the responses you want.
"Bloom et al.'s Taxonomy of the Cognitive Domain," W. Huitt, Educational Psychology Interactive (Valdosta State University).
http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cognition/bloom.html
A Practical Approach for Increasing Students' In-Class Questions. (2016).
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/practical-approach-increasing-students-class-questions/?utm_campaign=Faculty Focus