Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 14 Instructional Methods 333 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Summary ■ Teachers use instructional methods, also called teaching strategies or instructional strategies, to meet their objectives. ■ Because students need to learn the complex skills required for critical thinking, teachers at every level and in every subject area must provide opportunities to practice these skills. ■ Effective questions and examples are essential to most teaching strategies. ■ An atmosphere of comfort and respect helps encourage students to participate. ■ Examples that appeal to all learners help bring life to learning. ■ Appropriate use of pacing and closure helps maximize learning. ■ There are many basic teaching strategies. Some are more teacher-centered, while others are learner-centered. ■ Teaching strategies or methods, and activities based on them, must lead students to meeting the lesson’s objectives. ■ Strategies that require involvement actively engage students in the learning process. ■ When planning lessons, teachers must consider the specific characteristics of their students and other aspects of the teaching situation. ■ As teachers spend more time with students, they become more attuned to needs and preferences, developing an instinct for methods that will work well and those that will not. Review and Study 1. What are instructional methods? 2. Explain why well-developed thinking skills are even more essential than knowledge. 3. What is critical thinking? 4. Give an example of an open-ended question, and identify the level of thinking it requires based on Bloom’s Taxonomy. 5. What is wait time? What is the reasoning behind its use? 6. Name one way using examples benefits students. 7. What are four points to consider when learning how to pace a lesson? 8. Contrast teacher-centered methods and learner-centered instructional methods. 9. How are skits and role-plays similar and different? 10. What are three ways case studies help students work together to solve a problem? 11. Name two ways teachers can use reflective writing. 12. What is the difference between a productive and an experimental lab? 13. What are the key characteristics of problem-based and project-based learning? 14. What is the starting point for choosing a teaching approach? What factors should you assess when choosing appropriate teaching strategies? Vocabulary Activity 15. Use the Content Terms to create a hands-on review activity, such as a bingo game, concentration game, or jigsaw puzzle. Share your review activity with the class. REVIEW AND ASSESS CHAPTER 14