Constant changes in the educational system and other areas related to education always cause discussions around this topic. It is obvious, that changes turn positive only if they lead to development and improvement in the educational environment while other changes don’t bring any benefit. That’s why, when speaking about teaching methods, we can hear a lot of critical comments about variations in types of teaching. Nevertheless, we may also hear some supporting arguments. So, what arguments seem to be stronger – about traditional or innovative methods of teaching?
Traditional and Innovative Teaching – What’s the Difference?
What is the difference between the traditional lecture and the innovative one? New approaches to teaching are supposed to change the specifics of students’ involvement in the learning process from passive to active type. Surprisingly, this difference is not the only one. For example, before, lectures were formalized – professors used to deliver a lecture and students used to write down the most important things from what they’ve heart. Recently some innovations came through, lectures became more interactive, so that students and professors organized their work via cooperation in the learning process.
Game-based learning – fact or fiction?
One of the most famous for using up-to-date approaches to arranging educational process is Q2L (Quest to learn) school in NY. Its curriculum is based on game-based learning – it’s very outstanding and productive way of organizing studying process. That’s why students in this school show significant results in their learning activities. Children always study better if they have an interest in the subject.
New vision of lectures and professors’ creativity
Today we live in the media age and this markedly affects us and our lifestyle. It also makes a great impact on teaching process as well. Students take a new look at lectures as the optional way to expand informational basis and gain some new knowledge, but not as the general one. However, students need professors to teach them how to interpret what they have already learned and explain how to gain new knowledge. In traditional teaching professors usually were spending most of their time and efforts for delivering information to students instead of using their creativity, which is more efficient way of cooperation.
Top-3 Innovations in Teaching Process
Of course, professors do their work and share information with students, but professors’ guidance is not the only way to find the most relevant information and get knowledge nowadays, as there are some innovations in the teaching process:
- Educational Video Influences Better Memorizing. Educational video stimulates students to pay more attention during classes and enhance their learning abilities. Besides that, some lectures in Universities and Colleges contain learning games (not only computer games) which are much more interesting than listening to the professor. This style of learning successfully enhances students’ motivation due to the strong connection between visual contact and better memorizing. Furthermore, watching videos helps students to create associations that help them remember learning material.
- Social Media Simplify Cooperation with Educators. With appearance of the Internet and media age, most schools, colleges, and universities started to renew teaching methods. Social media allow students, parents, and teachers keep in touch and inform each other about assignments or events. Using such technologies, students can do more exercises for self-learning and save their time;
- Computer-Assisted Instruction Makes Individual Study Possible. This technology allows teachers to help individual students who have some difficulties during their study. This can be a great extension for the traditional schoolhouse. Using computer-assisted instruction helps improve students’ skills and solve study-related problems in a group. This is a convenient tool for individual study. Besides that, computer-assisted instruction includes some programs for writing and studying certain subjects.
Innovative Vs. Traditional Teaching: who wins?
Some would say that any innovations in traditional teaching system are unnecessary as they may distract students from what they really should do during their studies. Surely, this thesis can be considered as a truth. But still, we live in a world of rapidly growing technologies and constant changes, so why the educational process should remain unchangeable, with no opportunity of self-education, game-based learning and all of those new arrangements? The answer is obvious. The modern educational system needs renewing in methods, usage and understanding the concept of up-to-date education, that should always correspond to the needs of our generation.
