"The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don't tell you what to see." -Alexandra K. Trenfor
Who was your favourite teacher growing up? I'm sure we all have someone in mind. Throughout the formative years at primary and secondary school, there is always one, or a few educators, who inspire us to aspire for greatness and to love education.
The best educators tend to be those who care for their students, offer practical advice for daily living, have a mastery of the topic they are teaching, and constantly adapt their teaching abilities to make learning entertaining and engaging.
In the following article, we'll focus mainly on teaching techniques, and answer three questions: why is innovation in the sector of education important? How can teachers make the classroom feel more innovative? What are some innovative teaching methods? Let's find our answers!
Why is Innovation in the Sector of Education Important?
Innovation in the classroom has been discussed for multiple years now and students and professors can collaborate together to create a modern-day teaching environment that is effective and that makes learning a wonderful experience.
Nonetheless, before we start discussing all of the ways that educators and tutors can become more innovative, it's worth answering the question, why is innovation in the sector of education important?
Innovation in the sector of education benefits both the student and the teacher.
Firstly, innovation in education is important because it allows the student to have a more integral part of their learning experience. Students are asked open-ended questions and they use technological devices to reason and find their favourite ways of learning. Pupils become more involved in their academic achievement.
Secondly, innovative teaching benefits the educator became it allows them to explore new methods that will work with the eccentricities of distinct generations of youth.
Because innovative education does not just mean using technology but also exploring how learning works for everyone, it has become more popular in schools across the UK and other countries. Explorative schools truly allow the student to reach their full potential and recognise their abilities and how they want to use them in a career when they are adults.
The bottom line is that novel teaching is extremely important in education because it keeps things fresh, prevents students from getting bored, and allows educators to adapt their skills to meet the needs of their pupils.
How Can Teachers Make the Classroom Feel More Innovative?
It doesn't matter if you've been a teacher for years or you're fresh out of university, every educator should put their best foot forward and attempt to learn avant-garde teaching methods to make the classroom a haven of original learning.
Though it's important to have an innovative classroom, it's not always natural for teachers to constantly change their ways for their students.
Nonetheless, there is no excuse for teachers in 2022 to not bring novel methods into the classroom since there are so many suggestions available. Such as? Take a look at the following list to see how teachers can keep their classroom fresh with new ideas and exciting for students:
- Have an Open Mind: if you're a teacher who has fully accepted innovatory ideas, just remember to continue to stay open-minded and recognise that although you might not feel 100% comfortable with all methods of teaching, your students are probably responding and that's the most important part. As a teacher, you set the tone and students will quickly recognise if you're enthusiastic or unsure about trying something new.
- Let Students Take the Lead: making the classroom more innovative involves getting your pupils to take charge of group or solo projects. When students know that they can be leaders, they feel that they are in a safe place or self-expression.
- Create Different Learning Environments: when I was in primary school, the classroom of one of my favourite teachers was arranged very differently and at first glance, it seemed disorganised. However, that wasn't the case. Rather, it was because there were multiple learning environments such as areas to read, collaborative zones, and standard desks where we would listen to the teacher. A unique classroom layout is a prime example of innovation since creating different learning spaces makes the classroom fluid and provides flexibility to support one-to-one learning, collaboration, independent thinking, and group discussions.
- Have a Safe Space for All Learners: in the traditional classroom, there are both introverts and extroverts. The most innovative teachers constantly hone their skills to create a safe and comfortable learning space for different personalities. For example, for the more social students, teachers might suggest group work and collaborative projects. However, on the other hand, for shy pupils, educators could allow them to work alone.
While the four previously mentioned ways to make the classroom more innovative are brilliant, additional suggestions can be found by consulting with other educators, taking additional courses, and by reading informative blog posts from trusted websites.
Check out jobs for ex teachers here on Superprof.
What Are Some Innovative Teaching Methods?
The facts don't lie, if you want to become a good educator, you have to adapt your teaching methods and become experimental. While we've mentioned the importance of innovation in education and how teachers can try to make the classroom more innovative, let's now take a look at four modern education methods that greatly benefit primary and secondary school pupils in 2022.
Collaborative Teaching
While the method of collaborative teaching may have existed for quite some time, it's worth stating that in today's global village where communication is greatly encouraged, collaborative teaching is necessary.
To teach through collaboration involves creating or making many group study projects or assignments such as presentations, reports, and plays. Students usually thrive when presenting their work to the class because they are acting as leaders and the teacher is merely a guide watching from a distance; this allows students to find their voice and communicate their thoughts.
Through this innovative method of collaborative teaching, students learn qualities and skills such as teamwork, organisation, communication, and understanding others.
We greatly suggest using collaborative teaching for primary and secondary school students.
Using Smartboards
Available in most UK-based schools, smartboards are innovative and allow technology to enter the classroom without causing a major distraction. Smartboards are marvelled at by primary school kids; however, teens learn to appreciate how dynamic smartboards are too.
Through the use of smartboards, course content is made interactive and visual.
Teachers can explore multimedia and show videos and pictures to help convey the topics more effectively to learners who were born in the digital age of today.
Technological Devices
Piggybacking off the last method, since the start of the 21st century, technology has taken over our minds and ways of doing things. Therefore, to get the attention of most children and teens today, it's necessary to use technological devices such as tablets or laptops in the classroom.
Using technology is innovative and also teaches students how to use software that can help them in their university studies or when finding a job.
Also, by using technology and the internet to complete solo or group projects, students learn how to research and what information seems trustworthy and legit.
Teachers must beware to not only use technology since that may weaken the quality of the teaching. And, if students are left too long on their tablets or computers, they may get distracted and visit inappropriate sites.
Active Learning
Another brilliant teaching method that is equally innovative and effective is that of active learning. Through moments of active learning, students are engaged and they are openly participating in class discussions.
Experts have pinpointed various techniques that can be used during active learning such as the following:
- Reciprocal Questioning: make small groups then come up with questions related to what was discussed in the classroom. They ask as many questions as they can and the other groups answer those questions. Each group takes turns asking their questions.
- The Pause Procedure: teachers break down and divide the lecture into parts with small breaks in between, then ask the students to write down any thoughts during the breaks and then discuss them with classmates.
By having your students become part of the learning experience, they feel like they are actively involved and there will be less of a chance that they get bored.
In conclusion, we sincerely hope that the brilliant and innovative teaching strategies will help both educators and private tutors to have more effective classroom moments with their students.
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