The Complete List of Teaching Methods (2024)

  • Education
Joseph Lathan, PhDRead Full Bio

6 min read

The Complete List of Teaching Methods (2)

Whether you’re a longtime educator, preparing to start your first teaching job or mapping out your dream of a career in the classroom, the topic of teaching methods is one that means many different things to different people.

Your individual approaches and strategies to imparting knowledge to your students and inspiring them to learn are probably built on your academic education as well as your instincts and intuition.

Whether you come by your preferred teaching methods organically or by actively studying educational theory and pedagogy, it can be helpful to have a comprehensive working knowledge of the various teaching methods at your disposal.

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Teaching Methods: Not as Simple as ABC

The teacher-centered approach vs. the student-centered approach. High-tech vs. low-tech approaches to learning. Flipped classrooms, differentiated instruction, inquiry-based learning, personalized learning and more.

Not only are there dozens of teaching methods to explore, it is also important to have a sense for how they often overlap or interrelate. One extremely helpful look at this question is offered by the teacher-focused education website Teach.com.

“Teaching theories can be organized into four categories based on two major parameters: a teacher-centered approach versus a student-centered approach, and high-tech material use versus low-tech material use,” according to the informative Teach.com article, which breaks down a variety of influential teaching methods as follows:

Teacher-Centered Approach to Learning
Teachers serve as instructor/authority figures who deliver knowledge to their students through lectures and direct instruction, and aim to measure the results through testing and assessment. This method is sometimes referred to as “sage on the stage.”

Student-Centered Approach to Learning
Teachers still serve as an authority figure, but may function more as a facilitator or “guide on the side,” as students assume a much more active role in the learning process. In this method, students learn from and are continually assessed on such activities as group projects, student portfolios and class participation.

High-Tech Approach to Learning
From devices like laptops and tablets to using the internet to connect students with information and people from around the world, technology plays an ever-greater role in many of today’s classrooms. In the high-tech approach to learning, teachers utilize many different types of technology to aid students in their classroom learning.

Low-Tech Approach to Learning
Technology obviously comes with pros and cons, and many teachers believe that a low-tech approach better enables them to tailor the educational experience to different types of learners. Additionally, while computer skills are undeniably necessary today, this must be balanced against potential downsides; for example, some would argue that over-reliance on spell check and autocorrect features can inhibit rather than strengthen student spelling and writing skills.

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Diving further into the overlap between different types of teaching methods, here is a closer look at three teacher-centered methods of instruction and five popular student-centered approaches.

Teaching Methods [Teacher-Centered]

Direct Instruction (Low Tech)
Under the direct instruction model — sometimes described as the “traditional” approach to teaching — teachers convey knowledge to their students primarily through lectures and scripted lesson plans, without factoring in student preferences or opportunities for hands-on or other types of learning. This method is also customarily low-tech since it relies on texts and workbooks rather than computers or mobile devices.

Flipped Classrooms (High Tech)
What if students did the “classroom” portion of their learning at home and their “homework” in the classroom? That’s an oversimplified description of the flipped classroom approach, in which students watch or read their lessons on computers at home and then complete assignments and do problem-solving exercises in class.

Kinesthetic Learning (Low Tech)
In the kinesthetic learning model, students perform hands-on physical activities rather than listening to lectures or watching demonstrations. Kinesthetic learning, which values movement and creativity over technological skills, is most commonly used to augment traditional types of instruction — the theory being that requiring students to do, make or create something exercises different learning muscles.

Teaching Methods [Student-Centered]

Differentiated Instruction (Low Tech)
Inspired by the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), enacted to ensure equal access to public education for all children, differentiated instruction is the practice of developing an understanding of how each student learns best, and then tailoring instruction to meet students’ individual needs.

In some instances, this means Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with special needs, but today teachers use differentiated instruction to connect with all types of learners by offering options on how students access content, the types of activities they do to master a concept, how student learning is assessed and even how the classroom is set up.

Inquiry-Based Learning (High Tech)
Rather than function as a sole authority figure, in inquiry-based learning teachers offer support and guidance as students work on projects that depend on them taking on a more active and participatory role in their own learning. Different students might participate in different projects, developing their own questions and then conducting research — often using online resources — and then demonstrate the results of their work through self-made videos, web pages or formal presentations.

Expeditionary Learning (Low Tech)
Expeditionary learning is based on the idea that there is considerable educational value in getting students out of the classroom and into the real world. Examples include trips to City Hall or Washington, D.C., to learn about the workings of government, or out into nature to engage in specific study related to the environment. Technology can be used to augment such expeditions, but the primary focus is on getting out into the community for real-world learning experiences.

Personalized Learning (High Tech)
In personalized learning, teachers encourage students to follow personalized, self-directed learning plans that are inspired by their specific interests and skills. Since assessment is also tailored to the individual, students can advance at their own pace, moving forward or spending extra time as needed. Teachers offer some traditional instruction as well as online material, while also continually reviewing student progress and meeting with students to make any needed changes to their learning plans.

Game-Based Learning (High Tech)
Students love games, and considerable progress has been made in the field of game-based learning, which requires students to be problem solvers as they work on quests to accomplish a specific goal. For students, this approach blends targeted learning objectives with the fun of earning points or badges, much like they would in a video game. For teachers, planning this type of activity requires additional time and effort, so many rely on software like Classcraft or 3DGameLab to help students maximize the educational value they receive from within the gamified learning environment.

What About Blended Learning and UDL?

Blended Learning
Blended learningis another strategy for teachers looking to introduce flexibility into their classroom. This method relies heavily on technology, with part of the instruction taking place online and part in the classroom via a more traditional approach, often leveraging elements of the flipped classroom approach detailed above. At the heart of blended learning is a philosophy of taking the time to understand each student’s learning style and develop strategies to teach to every learner, by building flexibility and choice into your curriculum.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
UDL incorporates both student-centered learning and the “multiple intelligences theory,” which holds that different learners are wired to learn most effectively in different ways (examples of these “intelligences” include visual-spatial, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, linguistic, musical, etc.). In practice, this could mean that some students might be working on a writing project while others would be more engaged if they created a play or a movie. UDL emphasizes the idea of teaching to every student, special needs students included, in the general education classroom, creating community and building knowledge through multiple means.

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Teaching Methods: A to Z

In addition to the many philosophical and pedagogical approaches to teaching, classroom educators today employ diverse and sometimes highly creative methods involving specific strategies, prompts and tools that require little explanation. These include:

  • Appointments with students
  • Art-based projects
  • Audio tutorials
  • Author’s chair
  • Book reports
  • Bulletin boards
  • Brainstorming
  • Case studies
  • Chalkboard instruction
  • Class projects
  • Classroom discussion
  • Classroom video diary
  • Collaborative learning spaces
  • Creating murals and montages
  • Current events quizzes
  • Debates
  • Designated quiet space
  • Discussion groups
  • DIY activities
  • Dramatization (plays, skits, etc.)
  • Educational games
  • Educational podcasts
  • Essays (Descriptive)
  • Essays (Expository)
  • Essays (Narrative)
  • Essays (Persuasive)
  • Exhibits and displays
  • Explore different cultures
  • Field trips
  • Flash cards
  • Flexible seating
  • Gamified learning plans
  • Genius hour
  • Group discussion
  • Guest speakers
  • Hands-on activities
  • Individual projects
  • Interviewing
  • Journaling
  • Laboratory experiments
  • Learning contracts
  • Learning stations
  • Lecturing
  • Literature circles
  • Making posters
  • Math games
  • Mock conventions
  • Motivational posters
  • Music from other countries/cultures
  • Oral reports
  • Panel discussions
  • Peer partner learning
  • Pen pals
  • Photography
  • Problem solving activities
  • Reading aloud
  • Readers’ theater
  • Recitation
  • Reflective discussion
  • Research projects
  • Rewards & recognition
  • Role playing
  • School newspapers
  • Science fairs
  • Scrapbooks
  • Sister city programs
  • Spelling bees
  • Storytelling
  • Student podcasts
  • Student portfolios
  • Student presentations
  • Student-conceived projects
  • Supplemental reading assignments
  • TED talks
  • Team-building exercises
  • Term papers
  • Textbook assignments
  • Think-tac-toe
  • Time capsules
  • Timelines
  • Use of community or local resources
  • Video creation
  • Video lessons
  • Vocabulary lists
  • Web quests
  • Word walls
  • Workbooks

For the Love of Teaching

So, is the teacher the center of the educational universe or the student? Does strong reliance on the wonders of technology offer a more productive educational experience or is a more traditional, lower-tech approach the best way to help students thrive?

Questions such as these are food for thought for educators everywhere, in part because they inspire ongoing reflection on how to make a meaningful difference in the lives of one’s students.

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The Complete List of Teaching Methods (3)

Joseph Lathan, PhD

Program Director

Whether you’re a longtime educator, preparing to start your first teaching job or mapping out your dream of a career in the classroom, the topic of teaching methods is one that means many different things to different people. Your individual approaches and strategies to imparting knowledge to your students and…

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The Complete List of Teaching Methods (2024)

FAQs

How many teaching methods are there? ›

There are different types of teaching methods which can be categorised into three broad types. These are teacher-centred methods, learner-centred methods, content-focused methods and interactive/participative methods. Here the teacher casts himself/herself in the role of being a master of the subject matter.

What are the 5 methods of teaching? ›

Here are five strategies that proved to be extremely effective in my classroom.
  • Student-Centered Discussions. ...
  • Making Connections. ...
  • Increased Autonomy. ...
  • Building Relationships. ...
  • A Focus on Literacy.

What are the eight methods of teaching? ›

8 methods of teaching for primary school
  • Small group instruction. Small group instruction provides children with a learning experience in a small group with their teacher. ...
  • Teacher-centred approach. ...
  • Student-centred approach. ...
  • Project-based learning. ...
  • Montessori. ...
  • Inquiry-based learning. ...
  • Flipped classroom. ...
  • Personalised learning.
2 Aug 2022

What are the nine method of teaching? ›

Types of teaching methods include differentiated instruction, lecture-based instruction, technology-based learning, group learning, individual learning, inquiry-based learning, kinesthetic learning, game-based learning and expeditionary learning.

What are the 9 teaching strategies? ›

  • Identifying Similarities and Differences. ...
  • Summarizing and Note Taking. ...
  • Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition. ...
  • Homework and Practice. ...
  • Nonlinguistic Representations. ...
  • Cooperative Learning. ...
  • Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback. ...
  • Generating and Testing Hypotheses.

What are the 7 teaching styles? ›

The 7 styles of the theory are:
  • visual.
  • kinaesthetic.
  • aural.
  • social.
  • solitary.
  • verbal.
  • logical.
1 Jul 2021

What is the name of the new teaching method? ›

VAK Teaching: Visual, Audio and Kinesthetic (movement) teaching, or VAK teaching, is a latest teaching method where teachers identify the category in which a student falls—that is, whether they are visual learners, audio learners or kinesthetic learners.

What is best teaching method? ›

Experiential learning is a great teaching method because it encourages creativity, helps students learn from mistakes, fosters reflective thinking, and prepares students for future experiences. It can be effective for several subjects, especially during science experiments, sports coaching, and group projects.

What are general teaching methods? ›

Teaching and Learning Methods: Lecture, Discussion, Practical Tasks. Mode of Assessment: Coursework, class presentations and Examinations.

What is the most common method of teaching? ›

The most common type of collaborative method of teaching in a class is classroom discussion.

What is modern teaching method? ›

The modern teaching method is a learner-centred and activity-based teaching method which is used to get learners fully involved. This approach recognizes the learner as the primary reason for curriculum planning and teaching.

What are some different teaching styles? ›

5 different teaching styles to use today
  • Lecturer.
  • Demonstrator.
  • Hybrid.
  • Facilitator.
  • Delegator.
29 Jun 2022

What are the old methods of teaching English? ›

Hence, it could be concluded that the grammar-translation method is the oldest teaching method of English in India. This method emphasizes both listening and speaking and gives importance to the accuracy of pronunciation and grammar. In this method, the classroom interaction is done exclusively on the target language.

What are the six major categories of effective teaching? ›

The six categories are: availability to students, professional competence, interpersonal relations, teaching practices, personal characteristics, and evaluation practices.

What are the 9 types of learning styles? ›

9 Types of Learners: Which One Are You?
  • Visual Learner. This type of learner relies on their eyes; they remember, understand and learn what they can see. ...
  • Kinesthetic Learner. ...
  • Auditory Learner. ...
  • Stress Learner. ...
  • Ease Learner. ...
  • Scribble Learner. ...
  • Trust Learner. ...
  • Teach Learner.
28 Feb 2020

What is 21st century teaching? ›

21st-century teaching means teaching as you have always taught but with today's tools and technology. It means utilizing everything that is important in today's world so that students will be able to live and prosper in today's economy, as well as having the ability to guide students and to prepare them for the future.

What is the oldest and most used method of teaching? ›

The lecture, one of the oldest teaching methods, is still the most widely used method of instruction on college campuses.

What is the 3 2 1 method for teaching? ›

A 3-2-1 prompt helps students structure their responses to a text, film, or lesson by asking them to describe three takeaways, two questions, and one thing they enjoyed. It provides an easy way for teachers to check for understanding and to gauge students' interest in a topic.

What are the 8 Habits of Highly Effective 21st century teachers? ›

Eight habits of highly effective 21st century teachers
  • Adapting. ...
  • Being visionary. ...
  • Collaborating. ...
  • Taking risks. ...
  • Learning. ...
  • Communicating. ...
  • Modelling behaviour. ...
  • Leading.
15 Aug 2008

What is active learning method? ›

Active learning is an approach to instruction that involves actively engaging students with the course material through discussions, problem solving, case studies, role plays and other methods.

What are the new techniques of education? ›

15 Innovative Teaching Methods with Guide and Examples
  • #1: Interactive lessons.
  • #2: Using virtual reality technology.
  • #3: Using AI in education.
  • #4: Blended learning.
  • #5: 3D printing.
  • #6: Use the design-thinking process.
  • #7: Project-based learning.
  • #8: Inquiry-based learning.
16 Aug 2022

Why different teaching methods are important? ›

Different teaching styles are necessary because the students need to be able to learn what the teacher is teaching. However, the choice of teaching styles used can also depend on the school mission statement, the classroom demographics, the educational philosophy of the teacher, and most importantly, the subject area.

What are traditional methods? ›

The traditional method involves creating a regular habit or reality test, like checking for a pulse.

What is the difference between teaching method and teaching style? ›

It is important to notice the distinction between a teaching style and a teaching method, for a teaching style is something that is specific for a certain individual while a teaching method refers to general principles and management strategies used in a classroom [5].

What are the big 4 in teaching? ›

The big 4 are “behavior, content, instruction and formative assessment.” Behavior - Is the classroom an environment conducive to learning. Learning should not be solely about behavior, but behavior is necessary for good learning to take place.

What are the different types of teaching models? ›

4 Effective Learning Models for Students
  • Hands-on learning activities. Students often thrive when given the opportunity to create something on their own. ...
  • Collaborative projects. With collaborative projects, students get the chance to work with one another toward a common goal. ...
  • Experiential learning. ...
  • Direct instruction.

What is the latest method of teaching? ›

VAK Teaching: Visual, Audio and Kinesthetic (movement) teaching, or VAK teaching, is a latest teaching method where teachers identify the category in which a student falls—that is, whether they are visual learners, audio learners or kinesthetic learners.

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