Using a Variety of Instructional Strategies

It can be rather easy getting into a teaching rut. But the following article provides a pretty good list of ways to mix up the approaches you use to deliever course content.

From: http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/fd/teachingtips.htm

We know that students learn and retain material best when they employ a variety of senses and have varied experiences. College faculty make the following suggestions to help facilitate learning through mixed strategies:

1. Increase your repertoire of teaching strategies. Refer to the partial list of teaching methods below and try to use at least two methods during each class.

2. Ask students to assume the role of a professional in the field: social worker, psychologist, engineer, nurse, accountant, etc.

3. Assign or encourage participation in community events such as state or county fairs, plays, concerts, business-sponsored activities or open houses, and local government meetings.

4. Show films in different ways: ask students to predict endings or be critics, replay sections, show only a few frames at a time, discuss what might happen in a sequel.

Teacher-Centered Methods
Chalkboard
Commercial materials
Demonstration
Lecture
Visual aids (charts, graphs, pictures, PowerPoint
Models

Group Discussion Methods:
Informal discussion
Committee work
Debates
Panels
Oral reports
Role playing

Other Group Learning Methods:
Class problems
Club/organization work
Contests
Demonstrations
Displays & exhibits
Experiments
Field trips
Surveys
Skits
Outside speakers
Questionnaires

Individual Learning Methods:
Information interviews
Manuals and handbooks
Reference reading
Research
Work experience