Teaching Methods

Teaching Methods

Effective teaching approaches for different learning contexts.

Methods Overview

| Method | Teacher Role | Student Role | Best For |

|--------|-------------|--------------|----------|

| Direct Instruction | Expert, guide | Active listener | Foundational skills, procedures |

| Inquiry-Based | Facilitator | Investigator | Critical thinking, curiosity |

| Project-Based | Coach | Creator, problem-solver | Real-world application |

| Flipped Classroom | Mentor | Self-directed learner | Active class time |

| Socratic | Questioner | Critical thinker | Deep understanding |

Direct Instruction

Structure: I Do → We Do → You Do

• I Do: Model the skill, think aloud
• We Do: Guided practice with feedback
• You Do: Independent practice

When to Use

• New concepts or skills
• Procedural knowledge (math, coding syntax)
• Safety-critical topics

Inquiry-Based Learning

• Present a question or problem
• Students explore, ask questions, investigate
• Guide toward conclusions through questioning
• Debrief and formalize learning

Example Prompt

*"How could we determine the most efficient sorting algorithm without looking it up? What experiments would you run?"*

Project-Based Learning

Framework

• Driving Question: Open-ended, meaningful
• Sustained Inquiry: Multiple research cycles
• Authenticity: Real-world relevance
• Student Voice & Choice: Decisions throughout
• Reflection: Process and product
• Critique & Revision: Feedback loops
• Public Product: Presented to authentic audience

Differentiation

Adapt for different learners by adjusting:

• Content: What students learn (vary complexity)
• Process: How they learn (vary activities)
• Product: How they show learning (vary assessments)
• Environment: Where/how they learn (vary settings)