Turning Lessons into Life: Teaching styles that can be applied beyond the classroom
Teachers do more than just dump information into the brains of children. They are the role models for the next generation, and it’s not just what they teach that affects our children, it’s also the way they teach it. As such, it is important to consider how these methods of teaching can affect our children going into the future. Even if they do not become teachers themselves, different styles of teaching contain lessons whose value extends far beyond the classroom. Our children will inevitably learn from these experiences and will hopefully absorb these methods into their own being, so let’s take a look at teaching styles and some lessons we can learn from them.
Authority
While this lecture method may involve minimal student participation, it is a common form of teaching all students should learn to adapt to, especially in this age of virtual learning where participation is often already minimized. This authority style harnesses the power of words, displaying the importance they have in developing young minds. We know from the creation story in Genesis how powerful words can be as they help shape reality, and as students watch their teachers explain concepts to broaden their understanding they can begin learning the significant role words play. Being able to formulate ideas in your own words is empowering, and if students can grasp the importance of oral communication, it will benefit them in almost every aspect of their life.
Demonstrator
Principal Castro walks his students through an SEL lesson by inviting discussion and feedback during the class.
This teaching method relies on showing students the topics they are learning about, often requiring the teacher to exemplify the lesson. Sometimes people need to see things lived out. The people of Israel were given God’s law back in Moses’ time, but it wasn’t until people were given the example in Jesus that the law was brought to life (Mat. 5:17). Students can learn through this method the importance of being an example to others. It’s not enough to just talk the talk, they have to be able to demonstrate what it is they know.
Facilitator
In this method there exists more interaction between the teacher and the student, as the teacher comes alongside the student allowing for more dialogue and participation in the lesson. The teacher connects with the students to meet them where they are at and coaches them through the learning process. The students should learn to appreciate the understanding which comes on the other side of doing, especially under the safety and supervision of an experienced instructor.
Delegator
Teachers who use the delegating style often organize group projects that allow more freedom for the students to speak, this may be in the form of debates or class discussions. It allows the activities the teacher plans to be enacted by the students in order to produce bigger results. This style requires management techniques which enable the teacher’s goal of learning to be accomplished through the participation of the students. The students get to witness the teacher delegate tasks to them allowing more learning to take place as the instructor gets the students to cooperate and fulfill their responsibilities.
Hybrid
This method is exactly what it sounds like: a mixture of more than one. As students watch their teachers utilize various teaching methods to illuminate their minds, they learn there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to life. We need to holistically develop students in order for them to become the adults who can adapt to the ever-changing world, combining techniques to overcome challenges and meet goals.
Ms. Voight spends time connecting with one of her upper elementary students during a morning break.
This is why the multi-faceted responsibilities of teachers are so vital, because when it comes to educating our children, it is not just what they teach that matters, but also how they teach. Through these styles of teaching, students can learn the power of words, the importance of setting an example, how to connect and meet people where they are at, management skills, and how to use these lessons in tandem. Teaching styles hold lessons which go beyond the walls of the school, as they develop skills which will prepare the students for the future by teaching them how to navigate the complexities of life.
Sources:
Larson, James. “5 Common Teaching Styles - How Effective Are They?” ATutor.com (visited 18 April 2022).
https://atutor.ca/teaching-styles/
“Effective Teaching Styles: 5 Ways To Be A Great Teacher” CueMath.com (visited 18 April 2022)
