Some years ago, students heavily relied on lectures and classroom-based teachings to learn and understand their subjects. They listened attentively, took notes, asked questions, and got their doubts cleared. But the advent of the digital revolution in the education sector changed everything. Nowadays, students don't like learning by rote and are bored of the traditional teaching methods. Now they can access the teachings of the best educators in the world from their phones.
To be effective, teachers now need new methods and approaches to teaching. Are you looking for some innovative strategies to teach effectively? There are nine effective and innovative methods you can use to ensure greater student engagement and learning outcomes.
1. Use a good school management system
A good school management system software enables educators and faculties to manage their academic and office work easily. It enables them to take attendance, send announcements, provide assignments, conduct exams, document grades, generate report cards, and more. Using it, teachers can maintain students' data, monitor their academic activities, and create reports. It enables them to spend less time on unproductive routine work and focus more on teaching and learning. It also helps educators to conduct online classes and download assignments.
2. Encourage critical thinking and ask
open-ended questions
Critical thinking is one of the most important skills students must have, and teachers can develop that by asking open-ended questions. Open-ended questions allow students to think out of the box and connect with their prior knowledge, life events, and real-world happenings. It can help students realize their hidden strengths, talents, and potential.
3. Use the design thinking process
They say necessity is the mother of invention. But in the real world,
it is not just the human needs that drive innovation but the thought process of
the innovators who go the extra mile to identify the problems and create
solutions. The process innovators and entrepreneurs use to solve human needs
and problems in the design thinking process. It is a set of non-linear tactics
that spot problems and challenges, collect information, refine ideas, and
develop and test solutions. The process involves five phases—Identify, Define,
Ideate, Experiment, and Test. Using the process, teachers and students can spot
the challenges and problems and ask questions like:
●
‘I see a problem. How do I approach it?’
●
‘I have the data. How do I understand it?’
●
‘I have an idea. How can I develop it?’
●
‘There is an opportunity. What can I create?’
● ‘I have the product. How effective is it?’
4. Try a flipped classroom model
One of the greatest inventors of all time, Benjamin Franklin, once said, “Tell me, and I forget, show me, and I remember, involve me, and I learn.” This statement is relevant for the flipped classroom model. The strategy reserves students’ involvement and collaboration during class hours and encourages them to study and research at their homes. Many teachers and institutions are using it to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
5. Conduct more hands-on learning and
experiments
Students learn better when they perform something on their own by using their senses and thinking capacity. To enable students to learn by doing something, teachers should conduct more practical and hands-on training sessions. Experiments enhance students’ interests and enable them to understand the real-life applications of their subjects. While performing hands-on learning, students will know the practical application and strive to find out new possibilities.
6. Use 3D printing
A 3D printer is one of the most useful inventions for the education sector. Using it, educators can construct three-dimensional objects and show the models to their students. They can print anything from an atom to the solar system and help students understand the topics better. 3D printing enables students to visualize, understand, and retain the subjects they are learning. It also helps students to develop problem-solving skills and exposes them to a wide range of learning experiences. With better understanding and skills, they are more confident and eager to learn more.
7. Use virtual technology for teaching
Many educational institutions are now using virtual technology for greater engagement, effective teaching, and learning outcomes. By using 3D technology and virtual reality, teachers can help students learn and understand their subjects. Virtual reality can enhance students' learning by providing them with immersive and memorable experiences. Educators can also recreate real classroom sessions to give students a feel of classroom learning. Teachers use 3D technology to show the three-dimensional representation of some complex topics, such as the earth's interior. The virtual laboratory enables students to perform their practical sessions without using any hazardous chemicals and equipment.
8. Use crossover teaching
This method aims to combine formal and informal education environments and make learning much more fun and interesting. In this, the teaching takes place in a relaxed and alternative setting such as outdoors, exhibitions, museums, field trips, and learning clubs. The method's main advantage is that students feel like they are learning in an immersive environment at their own pace. It enables teachers to impart the lessons and link the educational content with real-world settings.
9. Invite entrepreneurs and inventors into
classrooms
Teachers can also invite local inventors and entrepreneurs to classrooms or online sessions. They can use social platform tools such as LinkedIn and local directories to connect with successful innovators and business people and request sessions. This will enable students to learn from the experiences and insights from such eminent personalities. This will also inspire many students to pursue their dreams and calling.
Taking everything into account,
To engage students and make them learn better, teachers all around the world are endeavoring to improve the quality of their teaching. Using the methods and strategies mentioned above, teachers can make their teachings more effective. With more advancements in technology, there will be many new strategies in the future. Using a reliable school management system is a good place to start as it will help teachers to focus on their teachings.
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