One Best Method

Thursday, May 10, 2007

We read about the idea of "one best method" or a method that would work best in any situation. In my practicum I was pushed to use an approach known as student centred learning. This method puts the students in charge of their own learning, with the teacher acting as a facilitator. The students are given basic instructions with a supplementary handout and work in small groups to complete the assignment in class. My SA’s had discussed with me why this was important. Some teachers get in a habit of using what is called the “chalk and talk” method, which can bore students into a mundane routine. With student centred lessons, the students themselves become like mathematicians, they discuss math with their peers as they try and figure out a solution. I wouldn’t say this is the best method, but it does help the teacher and students. It allows the teacher to walk around and discover more about the students; it gives more time to talk about life (outside the classroom), and it allows the students to hone their problem solving skills.