How Effective Is Your Teaching Style (And How to Tweak It to Make It Better)
How do you define the best teacher? Is it someone who is the most popular? Is it someone who is the most liked? Is it someone who gets the best results?
The answer, of course, is that there is no one definitive answer to this question. However, what we can say for sure is that being an effective teacher requires more than just having good intentions. It requires a deep understanding of how students learn, and it requires constantly adapting and tweaking your teaching methods to make sure that they are as effective as possible.
So, how can you tell if your teaching style is effective? And what can you do to make it even better?
Here are some popular classroom and online teaching styles, along with their pros and cons:
- The Expert Style: In this style of teaching, the teacher is the all-knowing expert who imparts wisdom to their students. Students are expected to sit back and passively absorb information.
Pros: This style of teaching can be very effective for conveying complex information quickly. It can also be motivating for students to learn from a true expert in their field.
Cons: This style of teaching can often lead to students feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. It can also cause students to tune out if they feel like they’re not keeping up with the pace of the lecture.
How you can make it better?
If you’re going to use the expert style of teaching, make sure to break down complex information into manageable chunks. Use plenty of visuals and examples to illustrate your points. And be sure to give your students plenty of opportunities to ask questions and get clarification.
- The Socratic Style: In this style of teaching, the teacher acts more as a facilitator than an expert. Students are encouraged to ask questions and explore ideas together.
Pros: This style of teaching can be very effective in fostering critical thinking and collaboration skills. It can also help students to feel more engaged and invested in the material.
Cons: This style of teaching can sometimes lead to chaos if not managed effectively. It can also be difficult to keep everyone on track if the discussion gets off topic.
How you can make it better?
If you’re going to use the Socratic style of teaching, make sure to have a well-defined structure and plan for the discussion. Be sure to keep everyone focused on the task at hand, and be quick to redirect if necessary.
- The Discovery Style: In this style of teaching, the teacher provides students with opportunities to discover new information for themselves. Students are given time and space to explore, experiment, and make mistakes.
Pros: This style of teaching can be very effective in developing creative problem-solving skills. It can also encourage students to take more ownership over their learning.
Cons: This style of teaching can often be messy and unpredictable. It can also be difficult to gauge student understanding if they are working independently.
How you can make it better?
If you’re going to use the discovery style of teaching, make sure to provide clear guidelines and expectations. Be available to offer help and support when needed. And be sure to debrief with students after they have had a chance to explore on their own.
- The Flipped Style: In this style of teaching, students are expected to learn the material on their own time, outside of class. Class time is then used for discussion, application, and assessment.
Pros: This style of teaching can be very effective in maximizing class time and ensuring that all students are prepared for discussions. It can also be motivating for students to have more control over their learning.
Cons: This style of teaching can be difficult to implement if you don’t have a robust online learning platform. It can also be challenging to keep students engaged if they are not coming to class with questions or comments.
How can you make it better?
If you’re going to use the flipped style of teaching, make sure to provide students with clear instructions and resources. Be available to answer questions and offer support. And be sure to design engaging and interactive activities for class time.
All Teaching Styles fall under these two categories:
- The Formal Authority Style: In this style of teaching, the teacher is the unquestioned authority in the classroom. Students are expected to follow directions and complete tasks without question.
Pros: This style of teaching can be very effective in ensuring that students stay on task and meet deadlines. It can also provide a sense of structure and predictability for students.
It might be a better fit for smaller classes or classes where students are struggling as these types of classes need more structure, discipline, and clear expectations.
Cons: This style of teaching can be very restrictive and can stifle creativity and critical thinking. It can also lead to student disengagement if not managed effectively. Some students may feel resentful or discouraged. It can also make it difficult for students to feel comfortable asking questions or offering suggestions.
How you can make it better?
If you’re going to use the formal authority style of teaching, make sure to be clear and concise in your expectations. Be willing to listen to student concerns and address them openly. And be sure to provide opportunities for students to give feedback on their learning experience.
- The Informal Authority Style: In this style of teaching, the teacher is more of a guide than an authority figure. Students are encouraged to ask questions and take risks.
Pros: This style of teaching can be very effective in fostering creative thinking and risk-taking. It can also help students to feel more comfortable asking for help or offering suggestions.
It might be a better fit for higher classes or gifted students’ classes as they need more time and space to explore themselves and nurture their problem-solving skills.
Cons: This style of teaching can sometimes lead to students feeling like they are not being challenged enough. It can also be difficult to maintain classroom discipline if students feel like they can get away with anything.
How you can make it better?
If you’re going to use the informal authority style of teaching, make sure to provide clear boundaries and expectations. Be available to offer support and guidance when needed. And be sure to debrief with students after they have had a chance to explore on their own.
So, where do you fit in?
Here is a quiz you can take to find out your teaching style:
- Which of the following statements best describes your teaching philosophy?
A: I believe that students should be taught how to think for themselves.
B: I believe that there is one correct answer to every question.
C: I believe that students should be engaged in active learning.
D: I believe that students should be exposed to a variety of perspectives.
E: I believe that students should be allowed to make mistakes.
- Which of the following statements best describes your teaching approach?
A: I prefer to lecture and provide assignments for students to complete on their own.
B: I prefer to lead discussions and allow students to explore ideas together.
C: I prefer to provide opportunities for students to discover new information for themselves.
D: I prefer to flip the classroom and have students learn the material on their own time.
E: I prefer to maintain a formal authority relationship with my students.
- Which of the following statements best describes your interaction with students?
A: I believe that it is important for students to feel comfortable asking questions and offering suggestions.
B: I believe that students should follow directions and complete tasks without question.
C: I believe that students should be challenged to think outside of the box.
D: I believe that students should be held accountable for their own learning.
E: I believe that students should be encouraged to take risks.
Results:
- If you answered mostly A’s: Your teaching style is student-centered.
- If you answered mostly B’s: Your teaching style is traditional.
- If you answered mostly C’s: Your teaching style is discovery-based.
- If you answered mostly D’s: Your teaching style is flipped.
- If you answered mostly E’s: Your teaching style is formal authority.
Teaching is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. The best teachers are those who can adapt their styles to the needs of their students. So, if you find that your teaching style is not as effective as you would like it to be, don’t be afraid to try something new. The most important thing is that you are always learning and growing as a teacher!
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