Teaching Methodologies for Students and Teachers

The world of teaching is in continuous renewal: its methodologies adapt to new times and the societies in which they develop. Or perhaps the latter is a reflection of the former? Whatever the case may be, there is no doubt that teaching teams must always maintain an open and analytical attitude about what they have achieved and how far they have come. Reasonable proof of this is the teaching methodologies that wowessay.com lists in this article. I apply in two different ways: on the one hand, in our Higher Degree in Distance Childhood Education and, on the other hand, in our dynamics as a distance education center.

The most innovative teaching methodologies

Undoubtedly, times have changed. And so have teaching methodologies, which cannot be the same as they were 50 years ago since the needs and challenges are different. Here are some of the most innovative ones, which seek precisely that adaptation.

1. Virtual communities

This teaching methodology is probably the perfect example of the idea expressed in the previous lines: several decades ago, communication technologies were still quite rudimentary, and education was 100% face-to-face. But now, new technologies are an essential element of our society, so they are fully integrated with education. And even more so after the coronavirus pandemic.

This methodology is known as ‘virtual communities, ‘ is precisely an attempt to structure and organize online teaching, weaving an efficient network to prevent the student from facing the cold screen alone. In this methodology, the teacher ceases to be a better transmitter of information and adopt other roles, such as advisor, moderator, or ‘facilitator.’ This concept now acquires particular relevance. And students obtain a skill that did not exist years ago, which is essential in today’s working world: the correct handling of a digital environment.

2. Flipped Classroom or Inverted Classroom

It is one of the teaching methodologies that has been applied for some years now and inspires other related methodologies. It is based on inverting the classic distribution of tasks performed in the classroom and at home. If so far the established practice is to teach lessons in the school and conduct practical exercises at home, what is now proposed is the opposite: the student studies the class at home and puts it into practice in the classroom, with the help of the teacher, who has the knowledge, experience and tools to make this implementation successful.

3. Maker movement

This methodology has an eminently practical component and is closely linked to technological disciplines. It is based on the DIY (Do It Yourself) concept and takes advantage of the possibilities of open software and 3D printers for domestic use. With these and other tools, it is possible to organize a work dynamic organized in groups, with their respective projects and objectives. The teacher acts as an advisor and problem solver, guiding his students in developing skills such as entrepreneurship, teamwork, and logical thinking.

4. Cooperative learning

The philosophy of this teaching methodology arises as a response to the great contradiction of the classical school: if the world of work is essentially teamwork, why is education in the classroom approached in an individualized and unidirectional way? On the other hand, collective learning restructures the classroom to divide it into groups of 3 to 6 students, with the teacher in the role of guide and advisor, but without deviating from the main objective: that students learn in cooperation. In this way, these students learn the lesson and learn lessons along the way to that destination. For example, the division of roles or structured work in phases.

5. Gamification

It is a teaching methodology that is very successful among younger students but also teenagers and university students. In the first case, through simple games, whether group, manipulative or any other type. And in the second case, with a more technological aspect, based on video games. This gamification not only has to do with the dynamics to be followed for the acquisition of knowledge. But also with the methods of motivation and evaluation, for example, with systems of prizes and rewards, concepts all of them present in our post on finding the motivation to study. And there is no doubt that play fosters a positive predisposition for learning.

Which is the best of all these methodologies?

It isn’t easy to establish the best of all teaching methodologies, as it depends on many factors. For example, on the objectives to be achieved. Or on the abilities and predisposition of the teachers. Or even the characteristics of the students and the center. Probably, a good idea is the combination of several of these methodologies. Or even apply them independently depending on the subject.

But what is clear is that they will not displace the classical teaching methodology, at least for the time being. However, that does not prevent traditional teaching from adapting to new techniques, as we have also explained in other posts with examples of mnemonic rules and explanations about mind maps.