Teaching Strategies in the New Normal
Educators have a wide variety of teaching strategies that they can use in their classrooms to engage students. Teachers have to be able to switch between these teaching strategies when necessary to keep their classrooms active and engaged.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact schools around the world, educators have a lot of work ahead of them. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most effective teaching strategies that can help educators keep their classes engaged and active.
Student-Led Classrooms
Students are becoming more engaged in their learning because they no longer need to be passive observers. They are more motivated to think for themselves and take action, which is why educators have been implementing student-led strategies in their classrooms.
A student-led classroom involves teaching students how to ask quality questions, engage in group discussions, and develop leadership skills. Teachers are the guides and facilitators in student-led classrooms, but they encourage students to lead their own learning by providing them with opportunities for choice and autonomy.
A student-led classroom also frees up more time for teachers to help students who need extra assistance and provide them with a supportive, nurturing environment. It can be challenging to shift from teacher-centered instruction, but when done properly, it is beneficial for both students and teachers.
Inquiry-Based Learning
Inquiry-based learning is a teaching strategy that engages students in active, problem-based learning. Unlike traditional education, which relies on teachers delivering information and facts, inquiry-based learning begins with questions or problems that need to be answered by the student.
Developing and implementing this approach requires a lot of skill and patience, but it has benefits that are worth it. Inquiry-based learning can help students understand complex topics in a more meaningful way as well as develop critical thinking skills.
Another benefit is that it encourages student agency in their learning. This puts more power in their hands and helps them gain an appreciation for learning, which is essential to success in life.
However, it is important to remember that inquiry-based learning involves a complex process of knowledge formation. It involves a context for questions, a framework for questions, and different levels of questions.
Cooperative Learning
Cooperative learning involves small groups of students working together on a task that has specific objectives. Each member of the group is accountable for his or her own work, and the overall group’s performance is also assessed.
The cooperative learning process promotes social interaction and communication among students. This interaction can lead to interpersonal skills such as leadership, decision-making, and trust-building.
It can also teach students soft skills such as oral communication and conflict management.
There are several different types of cooperative learning, but they all share the common goal of fostering positive interdependence and accountability.
As an instructor, you can use cooperative learning as a strategy to help your students be active and engaged during class periods.
The most important thing to keep in mind when using cooperative learning is to make sure all of your students understand the goals and objectives before the first lesson. This will help them to remain focused and on task during the lesson.
Professional Development
In the new normal, teachers face a variety of challenges related to teaching strategies. These can include adjusting to new classroom technology, creating a curriculum that meets federal and state standards, and educating students on globalization and other 21st-century issues.
Fortunately, educators can turn to professional development for help. This is a form of educational training that helps teachers learn new teaching techniques and improve their skills, which in turn can increase student learning outcomes.
This type of PD may include webinars and seminars that feature guest speakers or other professionals who can teach attendees about specific topics. It also includes mentoring programs that pair aspiring teachers with experienced teachers who model effective teaching methods and offer constructive feedback.
PD can also increase a teacher’s job skills, which could enhance their hiring potential and lead to greater career satisfaction. These skills can range from hard, or job-specific, to soft, or personal habits that define how a person works, such as communication.