DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TEACHING APPROACH, TEACHING METHOD, TEACHING TECHNIQUE, AND TEACHING STRATEGIES

v  Teaching Approach is like a description of how we go about teaching our students. This description explains what we do when we teach.

• The sorts of teaching and learning activities that we have planned (lecture, tutorial, self-directed learning, case study, workshop, workplace learning);
• Ways in which we try to engage students with the subject matter (provide students with basic facts, relate new knowledge to what students already know, build in interaction, be passionate, be enthusiastic);
• The ways in which we support our students (encourage questions, set formative assessments, provide constructive feedback). 
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The mode or manner we are teaching is very important as well because in that way we notice and measure our students’ improvement. Also we can know how to facilitate learning (qualities of the teacher such as passion, principles for good teaching practice such as providing timely and constructive feedback, putting educational theory into practice.

v Then, we have the Teaching method which comprises the principles and methods used for instruction. Commonly used teaching methods may include class participation, demonstration, recitation, memorization, or combinations of these. The choice of teaching method or methods to be used depends largely on the information or skill that is being taught, and it may also be influenced by the aptitude and enthusiasm of the students.

If we compare the teaching approach and the teaching method, the difference is that the teaching approach is like the form or way we teach, how we do it while the teaching method is what kind of activities we use in order to teach.

Tell me, I forget, Show me, I remember, Involve me, I understand.

v Teaching techniques are such steps we follow when we teach. For example, when we want to help students learn the meaning of new vocabulary words we can use a teaching technique known as Definition Clues.   The process works as follows.

 The teacher chooses a word and work in different steps.

STEP 1Give Definition Clue (an example of the word in a real situation)
STEP 3 - Give the actual definition of the word
STEP 4 - Ask students for the correct answer after each word.

 We can easier teach any topic following steps, and it will help us to be more organized and to facilitate and make funny our students’ learning process.

v Finally, Teaching strategies are the methods we use to allow learners to access the information we are teaching.
For example, we could read the information to them; we could display it pictorially; we could allow them to research the information themselves; we could present it as a PowerPoint presentation. We can use our creativity so as to make every class interesting by using good strategies for teaching.
People learn in 3 main ways - visually, auditory and kinesthetically.
Visual learners learn by looking at/seeing something.
Auditory learners learn by hearing it/being told it.
Kinesthetic learners learn by actually doing/experiencing it.
Your teaching strategies should aim to include all types of learner.

• Active Learning - Active Learning is anything that students do in a classroom other than merely passively listening to an instructor's lecture.
• Clicker Use in Class - Clickers enable instructors to rapidly collect and summarize student responses to multiple-choice questions they ask of students in class.
• Collaborative/Cooperative Learning - Cooperative and collaborative learning are instructional approaches in which students work together in small groups to accomplish a common learning
• Critical Thinking - Critical thinking is a collection of mental activities that include the ability to intuit, clarify, reflect, connect, infer, and judge. It brings these activities together and enables the student to question what knowledge exists. 
• Discussion Strategies - Engaging students in discussion deepens their learning and motivation by propelling them to develop their own views and hear their own voices.  A good environment for interaction is the first step in encouraging students to talk. 
• Experiential Learning - Experiential learning is an approach to education that focuses on "learning by doing," on the participant's subjective experience. The role of the educator is to design "direct experiences" that include preparatory and reflective exercises.
• Games/Experiments/Simulations - Games, experiments and simulations can be rich learning environments for students.  Students today have grown up playing games and using interactive tools such as the Internet, phones, and other appliances.  Games and simulations enable students to solve real-world problems in a safe environment and enjoy themselves while doing so. 
• Humor in the Classroom - Using humor in the classroom can enhance student learning by improving understanding and retention. 

Now, if we compare teaching techniques with teaching strategies, the difference would be that teaching techniques are the steps we use in order to teach our students in an organized way; moreover, It would help us to order better our classes, while teaching strategies are methods we use to teach in order to facilitate our students’ learning and also it heps us to teach in a more creative way.

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT PURPOSE IN EDUCATION: SELF-FULFILLMENT

The most important purpose in education is self-fulfillment, and I consider this fulfillment must come from both students and teachers. I am in agreement with a message found in this chapter which is that we as teachers can attain the lofty goals we may have if we have the will to seek them.

In order that teachers and students have self-fulfillment both of them need to enjoy what they are doing.  The teacher needs to show is or her interest in the student’s learning, and his or her best side; however, teachers must be careful not to narrow the meaning of the concept. The transformational pedagogy model is a good option for having self-fulfillment because that method encourages the teachers to establish a somewhat soft education. It is not necessary to be too sweet or patient with our students, but the simplest acts of teaching and the well chosen words of a teacher can impact negatively or positively the students lives.

There is a story in the chapter “why do you want to teach” about a student named Nathaniel who is a middle grade student that just knew he could not read. After years of failure,  he had stored up enough emotional road blocks to give up the effort until he met his 6^th grade teacher, Iretta who pulled him aside, looked him in the eyes, and promised him that year would change his life , and it did. Together they would succeed. Teachers need to work on the students desires helping them succeed little by little, working as a team so that the learners feel sure about themselves.

The students succeed when they notice their teachers believe them, so we can change our students’ lives by being a support for them. As Iretta did, we as teachers have to help our students persist until they succeed in everything they want; thus, they are going to have self fulfillment. As it is said in this chapter, teachers who contribute to encourage students to desire lives of fulfillment meet a most worthy teaching goal. We should consider spiritual goals as an integral part of teaching and learning due to, for example, the relationship formed between the teacher, Iretta, and Nathaniel, the student. Motivation and hope are such a key strategies for teachers and students to achieve their individual goals.

HOW CAN WE HELP OUR STUDENTS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL TO THE FULLEST?

To be able to help our students reach their potential to the fullest, educators do not have to forget about individual students and the creative abilities of us who teach them. Furthermore, teachers need to prioritize school system efforts and well-being of our students. Teachers have to be transformers. Transformational teaching is a higher standard for teachers and it places more demands on learners’ potential, so it means that we can always expect more from our students; thus, they will notice we trust them and believe in their knowledge.

We can see many teachers just go to their classrooms waiting for their students to memorize things mechanically and they do not care about having at least a good rapport with their students. We have to go further because transformation involves more than a biological understanding of learners. It is important to have an appropriate relationship between teacher and student, a zone of caring communicated by a transformational teacher. If students and teachers have no confidence or respect among each other, the learning process is affected and it directly affects the relationship. Finally, great teachers respect their learners and believe in their potential.

   

HOW CAN WE, TEACHERS, BE A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION TO OUR STUDENTS?

We, teachers, can be a source of inspiration by doing things any other teacher does. Moreover, as it is found in this chapter, education is less about information and more about inspiration. We must prepare our students for future challenges and show them they are interested in their educative development. Our students need to know that we care about the development of their skills and attitudes. We have to do our best and change our students’ lives, in that way we will become an inspiration to them.  

WHY DO I WANT TO TEACH? THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PEDAGOGY MODEL ON MY OWN WORDS, HOW MAY THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PEDAGOGY MODEL IMPACT THE LIVES OF BOTH, PRE- SERVICE AND IN- SERVICE TEACHERS?

            

WHY DO I WANT TO TEACH?

I want to teach because I want to inspire lives. First of all, most of students learn a topic easily when they have a teacher who is always trying to encourage them to go further, who is always interested in their learning, and who is always doing his or her best in order to teach them and make every class an amazing experience.

I am in agreement with a statement that says that learners are more than a sponge for academic content, and they are more than a test score. For instance, the students have needs and a desire to express their ideas, but if we do not let them say what they want and express freely what they need and we just put the knowledge in their minds without caring if they are interested or not in the topic, we are making a complete disaster with their lives. Moreover, we need to choose appropriate activities so that they not only learn the topics, but also enjoy and have fun with every lesson.

In addition, I found another really nice statement which says that we do not have to choose between who we teach and what we teach, so it means we can do both even as we prioritize the who in education: our students. I truly believe that our priority must be both, our students and their learning; however, we need to cope with that situation preparing our classes accurately so that our students really learn and in that way we can feel successful.

Being a teacher is not just about going to a classroom and speaking a lot or entertaining our students, but it is about fulfilling certain requirements such as being responsible, being creative, being open minded, and so forth so that we are able to change lives and inspire our students besides just being a simple teacher.

I do want to be a teacher, and I want to be the best, if not I would not be worthy to teach. I want my students believe me, I want them to feel confident in my classes, I want them to feel free to speak in my classes, and I want to be such a role model for them, but of course, I will create an environment full of respect and harmony in order to achieve my goals as a teacher.

THE TRANSFORMATION PEDAGOGY MODEL IN MY OWN WORDS

The transformational pedagogy model is based on a word that Greek educators used to describe virtue modeled by a good person. Arête represents a combination of skill, wisdom, power, and passion for good. According to this model teachers need to know their roles very well and fulfill them satisfactory. Teachers also have to have a strong and brave personality so as to make their students know that they have a leader besides having a teacher. The teachers have to guide their students to achieve their goals as learners. Students  have lots of needs to be able to learn; consequently, teachers have to demand the best from their students; thus, the students are going to get accustomed to being ready for every class and it will help them to improve their learning.

It is important that teachers have rules in their classrooms and that they show strict attitude to their students because the students need an authority in the classroom so as to know they cannot behave in certain ways when they are in classes.

There has to be a respectful environment from the very beginning; nevertheless, it is somewhat difficult to deal with discipline in the classroom because as it is found on this chapter in page 15, expert teachers already know the structure of their academic discipline, so it means new teachers need to learn to maintain discipline when teaching.

Transformational pedagogy is defined as an act of teaching designed to change the learner academically, socially, and spiritually. Transformational teaching begins with the learner, and transformational learning involves deep understanding and occurs in classrooms where teachers have high expectations.

Finally, according to the transformational pedagogy model, I could perceive that as teachers we have a great opportunity to help students learn academic things, and also other useful knowledge for life and in that way we will be influencing our students’ lives so that they are better persons.

Definitely, the transformational pedagogy model has been designed to demonstrate that holism in education can have a transformational quality besides being a good strategy to teach and make our students love our classes.

HOW MAY THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PEDAGOGY MODEL IMPACT THE LIVES OF BOTH PRE- SERVICE AND IN- SERVICE TEACHERS?

The pedagogy model may impact the lives of both pre- service and in- service teachers. For instance, in this chapter it is mentioned that the human touch created a longer life span! And students need the therapeutic power of a transformational teacher who “touches” and transforms lives, so it means that if teachers do an excellent job, they touch lives, and consequently, they feel successful and really happy knowing they are helping not only to change behaviors, but also to change their students fate.

Moreover, teachers’ feelings are important according to this chapter because it helps them to maintain their interest in teaching and in that way they get more involved in their job. If teachers are effective and brilliant, the school where they work will be effective and good as well.

Both, the students and teachers feelings are relevant for educational success. It has been confirmed that we remember what we feel, then if the learners have a good teacher, and that teacher makes them have a great learning experience, the students will surely keep that on mind, and they will probable learn better in the future too.

REFLECTING ON PURPOSE

Self fulfillment is a liberating part of education, perhaps the most important purpose of education.

We as teachers should love teaching; otherwise, it will be complicated and tedious to work at a school if we do not love what we do.