Teaching Approaches: Introduction to common teaching approaches

In the blog last week, we examined the influence of the concepts of individualism and collectivism on learning preferences across cultures. This week we shall explore an introductory overview of the seven most common approaches to teaching in a higher educational context.

Introduction to the topic

It is generally agreed that there are seven common approaches to teaching across university faculties. I have listed these in my own logical order from reading, writing, listening to speaking. However, it is important to note that in any specific learning context, educators may focus on any combination of the methods dependent on the topic under consideration.

We shall explore each of these approaches in the sequence illustrated below over the next few weeks that will include reference to how they relate to contrasting cross-cultural contexts.

The seven common approaches

The language focus

This approach is the classical foundation of learning across all cultures that focuses on reading and writing founded on the gradual development of critical reading and note-making abilities.

The intra-personal focus

Here the learning emphasis is on developing self-managed and independent learning styles typically based on directed research, reading, together with tasks such as exam preparation.

The logical analytical focus

The objective here is to develop abilities relating to the evaluation of arguments, data, and theories that requires the teaching of critical thinking competencies.

The visual conceptual focus

This method leads students towards evaluating charts, diagrams, spidergrams, and mind maps while also demonstrating how they can design these learning and recording techniques.

The active auditory focus

Next, auditory teaching is centred around the careful planning of lectures, class encounters, and tutorials that systematically provides learners with digestible progressive knowledge that is also essential for exam revision purposes.

The kinaesthetic focus

This style aims to assist those learners who benefit from a more hands-on practical style of learning that is common in some areas of the natural sciences together with subjects such as architecture and archaeology. This is often referred to as field work or lab experiments.

The social interpersonal focus

Finally, engaging students in group discussions and shared homework projects develops communication abilities, interpersonal confidence, and cooperative peer learning.

In the blog next week, we shall focus on an exploration of the development, application, and purpose of language skills abilities including critical reading, note-making, and writing during the teaching process. We shall also briefly evaluate issues relating to the cross-cultural context.

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Questions

1. What methods are used by educators to select appropriate teaching approaches?

   
   

2. Is the selection of effective teaching methods shaped by the faculty department focus?

   
   

3. Why are classical teaching approached typically founded on language abilities?

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We shall explore Question 3 in the next blog.