http://www.cps.neu.edu/prospective-students/american-teaching-methods.php

The above article – “The American Teachings Methods” was about the variety of new and old teaching styles and methods that teachers use in the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University. Northeastern’s recommended teaching methods not only teach the students while keeping them engaged in the classroom but also expose the prospective teachers to learning styles that they will be able to add to their repertoire as a future instructor. Several examples of learning styles were listed –

• Class lectures delivered by expert professors who are also leading practitioners in their professional fields
• In-class discussions promoting interaction to help students improve verbal skills and to learn through dialogue and debate
• Class presentations encouraging students to take a leadership role, share their knowledge, and improve public speaking skills
• Challenging opportunities to participate in advanced research and formulate opinions
• Course readings that require students to expand their perspective and synthesize new material
• Peer student feedback that promotes learning through constructive critiques of each other’s work

Methods of teaching fascinate me as an educator, but much balance is required for one to be an effective biblically based instructor. This was a good article, and I do not have a problem with the idea or the methods described either philosophically or biblically.

Some further considerations >

What is the proper place of “fun” in the classroom? Learning can and should be fun; the teacher has an obligation to connect with each and every student in order to interest him in the subject material. Therefore, teaching does not happen if learning does not take place (exceptions arise). Is learning hard work? There is no doubt learning is difficult, but the more interest that is created the easier the task becomes. Is there a stewardship issue? Both as a student and as a teacher the principle of biblical stewardship applies (study to show thyself approved). Does the subject, the level, the time of day, time of year, etc., affect the degree of “fun” used? Absolutely, unless you are Lowery or Robin Williams, you will not always be fun – 180 days of school is a long time period, and fun is not always appropriate. The content and the age is also a factor at times. However, there is no excuse for a bitter, hateful, “unfun” teacher in the classroom. As an administrator, it is one of your responsibilities to identify and extract mean-spirited, unfit teachers.

 

Here is another interesting concept found on this website> http://www.ronclarkacademy.com/our-history

Although I agree with the premise to create excitement and the big idea behind RCA, we need to be cautious as Christian school educators (opposed to private schools) to not buy into worldly philosophies or use an approach that is not biblical in nature or even one that may be humanistic.

Here is a final thought I found > Great quote: “My ultimate goal is to lead students to be more like Christ; and if I can make learning fun in the process, I have no problem with doing so.” This is truly the ultimate goal of ALL Christian education.

The teacher definitely sets the tone of the classroom… “If Mama (or teacher) ain’t happy – ain’t nobody happy!”