CRITERIA OF CHOOSING THE METHOD OF TEACHING

 

   CRITERIA OF CHOOSING THE METHOD OF TEACHING

            There is no such thing as the best method of teaching. A method ‘best’ for one teacher and applicable for a class under some conditions may totally be a failure for another teacher to teach the same class or other class under the same or different conditions. Teaching methods are like the tools in the kit of a carpenter. An efficient carpenter chooses his tool from the kit, depending upon the purpose, availability of time and helpers, and the nature of wood he had to deal with. Similarly, the teacher has to select the method of teaching, based on the following factors.

1. Level of the class

            e.g., For lower classes, lecture method is highly inappropriate, pupil-centered methods in the class-room setting will be appropriate.

2. Size of the class

For large classes teacher-centered methods are preferable. In higher classes, when the strength of students is more, pupil-centered methods in socialized classroom setting are more preferable.

3. Availability of time

            When the time available is short, lecture method or demonstration be employed in preference to methods demanding socialized classroom-setting.

 4. Availability of materials and facilities

Depending on the resources available, methods involving instructional technology could be used.

5. Nature of the topics to be taught

Choice of selection of teaching method is also influenced by the nature of the topic to be dealt. On the whole it could be said that teacher should try to select the method which facilitates for greater pupil-participation and individualized learning with the optimum use of available resources in the school