Let's Focus Learner or the Teacher!
Instructors develop a teaching style based on their beliefs about what constitutes good teaching, personal preferences, their abilities, and the norms of their particular discipline. Some believe classes should be teacher-centered, where the teacher is expert and authority in presenting information. Others take a learner-centered approach, viewing their role as more of a facilitator of student learning.
Although individuals have a dominant, preferred teaching style, they will often mix in some elements of other styles. If you wish to take a more open approach to your teaching, a blend of various styles may be very effective.
| Focus On: | Content | Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Learner |
Seller or Demonstrator: Information-oriented Works best with students who need little direction from the instructor, and/or those who accept responsibility for their own learning. Example practice: Emphasis on independent learning activities for groups and individuals. |
Coach or Facilitator: Learner-oriented Works best with students who accept responsibility for their own learning, enjoy working with their peers, and/or those who may become easily frustrated when facing new challenges not directly addressed in the classroom Example practice: Role modeling and coaching/guiding students on developing and applying skills and knowledge |
| Teacher |
Professor or Expert/Formal Authority: Instructor-oriented Works best with students who may become easily frustrated when facing new challenges not directly addressed in the classroom, and/or students who may compete with peers for rewards and recognition Example practice: Traditional Lectures |
Entertainer or Delegator: Relations-oriented Works best with students who enjoy working with their peers, needing little direction from the instructor. Example practice: Collaborative learning such as group work, peer review and other student-centered learning processes consistently emphasized in a course. |
Indiana State University's Center for Teaching and Learning has developed an elaborate online resource about teaching styles and online teaching, based on the work of Anthony Grasha. http://www.indstate.edu/cirt/id/pedagogies/styles/tstyle.html Links to an external site. Their web site includes:
- an overview of teaching styles and instructional uses of the web;
- teaching style inventory;
- curriculum planning guidebook, divided by style;
- outline of the styles and rhythms of the WWW;
- discussion of using email, chat and discussion groups for different styles.