Methods of Instructions - Research Paper Example

?METHODS OF INSTRUCTION College Choosing the type of method of instruction to use in any training is sometimes not easy. This is because there are many methods of instruction that can be applied at each particular field of learning. It is always advisable to choose the right method to use during any training program. Any method chosen should give the students enough chances to participate in the on the discussion. Most of these methods of instruction have advantages and disadvantages and this should be considered when choosing them. One should always be well prepared before using any of these methods for quality presentation. However, the methods of instruction include lecture, demonstration, case study, discussion groups and practical exercise. Lecture Lecture is the method of instruction where the instructor has the power to present facts orally to the respondents. This method is widely used in most institutions all over the world. Lecture can either be formal or informal. Formal lecture is normally applied where information is to be delivered to a very large. This makes the information to be delivered to in one way communication i.e. from the instructor to the students. This affects the students from participating since the group is extremely large and the instructor cannot give any student a chance to participate. On the other hand, formal lecture give the students full participation because the group is small making the instructor reach most of the students. This makes learning effective because students participate actively in a free environment. This makes the communication a two way process since the students respond to the question asked by the instructor. This makes the informal lecture more effective than the formal lecture. Instructor must always be well prepared before lecture. A lesson plan should be used as guidance during the presentation to avoid going out of the topic of study. It is good to choose the right environment for teaching where the students seat comfortably and have no external distractions. Instructor must be well conversant with the communication skills. Voice must be audible enough to avoid a situation where some students cannot get the instructor clearly. The instructor must maintain eye contact with the students to show confidence in what is being presented. Teaching can be made effective by using some of the visual aids during the presentation. Some things might be difficult to explain using words only. This forces the instructor to use some visual aids like graphs, pictures, slides and charts to reinforce the presentation. Questions are asked to promote thinking in students. This helps the lecturer in knowing if the students understood what was taught. All the questions must be answered correctly. Lecture should end in time. The advantage of lecture is that it can be used in other methods of instruction. But lecture limits student’s participation (Jumpeter 2009). Demonstration In this method of instruction, the students observe the operation or the technique. This method shows how something is done or how a particular objects operates. Students see for themselves what is happening and they can even participate in the action. They learn by doing demonstrations themselves. For example, they learn to drive a car by driving, to swim by swimming, and to model by modeling. This method is practical, therefore, it is effective. Students are taught how something is done and they later do it by themselves. This method of instruction has advantages. It permits reinforcement because the knowledge gained in class can be made meaningful by demonstrating it making it well understood. Demonstration appeals to both sights of sight and hearing. Students see what is being demonstrated and at the same time hear the explanation. Disadvantage of this method of instruction is that it is restricted to small groups. The groups should be small so that all students see what is happening. Each one should view without any obstruction from the others. This method is consumes time. The demonstration time takes a lot of time especially when the group is large and has to be broken into many groups. These groups will take a lot of time to view the demonstration (Jumpeter 2009). Practical exercise In this method of instruction, the students actively participate. Students can either participate individually or as a group. They can follow a certain order or avoid it. In controlled practical exercise, students are guided by the instructor through a procedure or an operation. They must finish the first step before proceeding to the next step. The errors that occur in the first step are corrected first before moving to the next step. Another type of practical exercise is coach and pupil practical exercise. In this type, pupil is left to perform an operation alone while the coach is observing. Coach is only there to correct any mistake. As the pupil finishes the operation, he takes coach’s role while the coach takes the student’s pupil. In the case study type of practical exercise, the student does a task as member of a group. This method is effective because students are actively in the operation. This method also breaks the monotony where the teacher must always inspect the students. At times the students are left on their own to perform the tasks; therefore, it makes them feel free. The disadvantage of this method is that it is time consuming since it involves many teams (Alcott 2008). Discussion Groups In this method of instruction, students form groups for discussions. Students who take the same subjects form the groups. The groups should not be biased any way. It should have gender balance and have students with different academic performance. This discussion enables the students to increase their interpersonal skills. They feel free because they are on their own. These discussions can take place in the classrooms. Everyone in the discussion must contribute to the subject that is being discussed. The discussion group should have a chairperson and a secretary. The advantage of a discussion group is that students are open to each other and can discuss various issues. A discussion group is ineffective when some the members do not contribute to the discussion (Nayak 2006). Case study In this method, a case to a problem is analyzed by a group of students to get a solution. This case enables students to apply the class skills and knowledge to come up with solutions to complex issues. This method cannot be used with elementary students (Nayak 2006). Therefore, methods of instruction are many and each has its own place where it can be applied. Advantages of each make it suitable to be used in a particular area. On the other, disadvantages hinder a method from being used. Reference Alcott, A. B. (January 01, 2008). Pestalozzi's principles and methods of instruction. American Journal of Education, 4, 2.) Nayak, S. B. (January 01, 2006). The broken lecture: an innovative method of teaching. Advances in Physiology Education, 30, 1.) Jumpeter, J. (September 06, 2009). Personalized System of Instruction Versus the Lecture- Demonstration Method in a Specific Area of a College Music Appreciation Course. Journal of Research in Music Education, 33, 2, 113-22. Read More