 |
| I am proud to be a teacher |
Teaching method which is the
major concern in Great Heights Academy has been the sharpest tool in
pedagogy from time immemorial with which knowledge, skill, norms and values are
transferred from the trainers to the trainees. It is one of the most tedious
tasks to pass experience from one head to another, which call for a systematic
approach. Teaching is meaningless if less systematic. The teacher and the
learner are just but like bowl full of oil and an empty bottle that needs to be
filled. One needs to be extra careful and systematic in pouring the oil into the
bottle. If not, it will be wasted and the bottle will remain empty. Hence the
situation in class is more critical than one can ever imagine. This is because
no one method of teaching is effective when used conservatively. So, could
there be a best teaching method? It will be ridiculous to say yes because even
prominent scholars in academia are of the opinion that there is no one best
method of teaching. Every method is a nut in the right bolt when applied at the
appropriate place and time hence the reason why no
method of teaching if left behind the fence of our great academy.
It is important to note that, certain factors must be
considered in selecting a teaching method while planning a particular lesson.
Such factors include the age of the trainees. Thus a play way
method is more or less not used in adults’ classes just like lecture method is
not feasible in kindergarten classes too as the reverse is the case. If age is
not checked properly one may end up doing the wrong thing at the right place
and time. Another key factor to be considered is the class size i.e.
the number of trainees in the class. For example, simulation and demonstration
methods may not be good for larger crowd as quite a good number of the
listeners may probably not see what is going on in the forefront from behind.
In addition,
factors like time and availability of resources cannot
be over emphasized in the bid to choose a suitable teaching method. Methods
like excursion and field trip are time consuming and as such, it is not
advisable to apply them in a period of 30 – 40 minutes. Moreover, where
resources are not readily available too, take for instance in a laboratory
where apparatuses are in place but the necessary chemicals are nowhere to be
found, practical method will not work out well if one is to teach topics like
Volumetric , Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis as well as Food Test and
lots more. This is because the lesson is bound to be lifeless, boring and
devoid of points. As such, alternative method must be used.
Lastly, the topic about to be taught is
another important factor that must not be overlooked in choosing a suitable
teaching method. In fact, methods strongly depend on topic at hand. Thus
pragmatic or realistic methods are best applicable for topics based on
Practical, Creative Arts, Home Economics, Basic Science and Technology etc.
while theoretical or idealistic approach like lecture and description are
better for topics based on philosophy like History, Current Affairs, Religion
Studies and lots more.
In conclusion, one can deduce that the best method of
teaching is that derived from situational experience and critical observation
at a particular time and not all time. Therefore, teaching methods must be used
interchangeably considering the aforementioned factors. If methods are not
changed, then no better result will be yielded. One can only move to the next
level by doing new things.
Ustaz Sulaiman Abdullahi
BSc Ed. Biology
Comments
Post a Comment