Traditional vs Modern Teaching Methods

       Traditional methods of teaching

·        Teacher-centric classrooms

·        Teachers in the mode of knowledge dispensers rather than fa-cilitators

·        Chalk and talk methods

·        Regimented classrooms

·        Lack of collaboration and group learning

·        More emphasis on examinations and results rather than understanding of concepts

·        Improper alignment between objectives, activities and assessments 

Modern methods in use in education

• Technology-driven classrooms
•    Continuous comprehensive evaluation
•      Cross-curricular connections
•      Inquiry-based learning
•      Emphasis on understanding of concepts
•     Linking curriculum with life
•      Emphasis on skill building, life skills and values
•    Collaborative learning
•    Differential learning
•    Activity-based learning and learning labs
•   Interdisciplinary learning
•    Digitisation in teaching, learning assessment and feedback
•     Collaborative learning
•   Differentiated instruction
•   Flipped classroom
•     Problem-based learning

Traditional versus modern methods of Effective Teaching

Education is vital to the pace of the social, political and economic development of any nation, so effective teaching is very essential. Effective teaching is important because teaching is based on helping children from one level to another in a more interactive environment .

My experience comes from Sancta Maria School, Teaching methods are best articulated by answering the questions "What is the purpose of education?" and "What are the best ways of achieving these purposes?" Traditional method relies mainly on textbooks while we rely on hands-on materials approach. In traditional method, presentation of materials starts with the parts, then moves on to the whole while in the modern approach, presentation of materials starts with the whole, then moves to the parts. A variety of strategies and methods are used to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to learn. A lesson plan may be carried out in several ways: questioning, explaining, modeling, collaborating, and demonstrating. The teacher is here not to explain but to encourage and help students to explore, try out, make learning interesting, etc. Unlike traditional methodology, modern methodology is much more student-centred. According to Jim Scrivener, the teacher’s main role is to “help learning to happen,” which includes “involving” students in what is going on “by enabling them to work at their own speed, by not giving long explanations, by encouraging them to participate, talk, interact, do things, etc.”

At Sancta Maria International School

1.      Allows greater student participation in the activity

2.      Explores different avenues for learning

3.      Student- directed

4.      Teacher is facilitator

5.      No difference between work and play

6.      Learning by discovery

7.      Teacher provides guidance and facilitates learning

8.      Provides students with certain degree of freedom, giving them chance to develop their creativity and resourcefulness

9.      Emphasizes the “why” and the “how” of learning, thus encouraging students to do investigatory and exploratory work

10.   Aims to develop the cognitive, the psychomotor and the affective domains of learning; hence instruction is child-centered and multi-faceted.

 - Ms.Sreenisha and Ms.Kavita