A strong education system can lead to social change and transformation, and innovative teaching practices are key to enhancing the quality of education. In order for students to be active participants in their own learning, teachers must use a variety of teaching methods and approaches.
Innovating in the classroom doesn’t always mean incorporating the latest and greatest technology. Instead, innovative teaching involves proactively introducing effective teaching strategies and methods into the classroom. This effective teaching method and strategy will enhance academic outcomes and promote equitable learning by addressing real problems.
Teacher Training Programmes are conducted to focus on equipping teachers with innovative methods of teaching across schools.
Inquiry-based method:
The inquiry-based method of teaching involves students asking questions and investigating real-world problems. Since students learn best when they create their own meaning, it is one of the most effective teaching techniques used in the classroom. Student curiosity is sparked by inquiry-based learning. Throughout the process of inquiry-based learning, teachers serve as facilitators.
Students formulate topics that they are eager to investigate, do in-class research on the subject, present what they have discovered, and consider what aspects of the process were successful or unsuccessful. They gain a lot from this strategy in terms of their ability to investigate and solve problems.
Technology for innovative methods of teaching:
Depending on the needs of the students, technology offers teachers a limitless array of resources that they can use.
The use of technology in the classroom fosters an atmosphere of activity-based learning by providing the students with a variety of stimuli. Learning becomes more enjoyable and the curriculum in the classroom becomes more intriguing.
Turning to the most recent technology will provide a large number of modern alternatives for a teacher looking for successful teaching approaches in a classroom.
Perspectives have shifted after a year of distant learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. Teachers are beginning to understand how technology and the potential of digital tools, applications, and gadgets can boost engagement, promote teamwork, inspire innovation, and improve student learning. Education is no longer restricted to the four walls of the classroom, thanks to resources made available by technology. Social media and YouTube videos do not have to be a diversion; they can be used into and be a part of the lesson plans.
Project-Based Learning
Project-Based Learning encourages students to employ their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and self-management by presenting them with real-world situations, difficulties, and issues. To find a solution to the issue at hand, PBL draws on teamwork, technological resources, and problem-solving techniques. It makes classrooms more enjoyable and engaging while students learn new material and acquire abilities, such as researching, cooperating with others, critical thinking, etc.
Teachers serve as guides while students take ownership of their own learning process in an active learning approach. Learning in this way can foster lifelong learning, boost student engagement and comprehension, and inspire creativity.
Blended Learning
It’s difficult to ignore potent resources like the internet or e-learning software in the technology-driven society we currently inhabit.
A technique called blended learning mixes high-tech online instruction with conventional in-person instruction. It provides teachers and students more freedom to design individualised learning environments and experiences.
Blended learning gives students more control over the timing, location, and pace of their learning by combining in-person and online learning opportunities.
The appeal of blended learning is that it combines traditional classroom experiences with online resources and learning opportunities. Students can choose their learning strategies more freely; thanks to blended learning’s flexibility. Blended learning encompasses more than just integrating technology to the traditional classroom setting. Instead, blended learning provides for the delivery of a sizeable percentage of course content via online instruction using digital technologies, including certain face-to-face components.
Experiential Learning:
In experiential learning, students are actively engaged in learning by doing, reflecting on their experience and creating their own understandings as a result of the process and experience both inside and outside the classroom. Any learning environment can incorporate experiential learning activities. When creating activities for experiential learning, the instructor assumes the role of a facilitator. The facilitator asks questions or problems and then provides the students freedom to find solutions while giving them guidance. The facilitator can then monitor as it is taking place. Experiential learning exercises that are well-designed are a great way to combine learning, understanding, “doing,” and reflection. Each component strengthens the others, leading to the development of knowledge and skills, helps in a thorough comprehension of the subject matter and of difficult concepts, and the capacity to put the concepts into practice in a way that fosters critical thinking.
Conclusion:
Although it may seem like a major step to adopt these techniques, teachers are not required to use all of them exclusively in their lesson plans. They may consider using either one or the other for a particular lesson. Some subjects might lend themselves more to project-based learning activities than others, while still others might benefit from straightforward open-ended questions.
We are growing as long as we are developing new ideas. It’s especially interesting right now because many people are trying to promote cutting-edge teaching techniques as solutions to the challenges children face today.