THE EFFECTS OF TEACHING STYLES ON SCIENCE COMPREHENSION

Post date: Mar 31, 2017 6:33:03 AM

By: GEMMA M. MANALO

Teacher III

Bataan National High School

Balanga City, Bataan

Teaching styles describe the manner in which a teacher manages instruction and the classroom environment. Effective learning in the classroom depends on the teachers’ ability to maintain the interest of the students.

However, no teachers are alike, and any teacher with classroom teaching experience will agree that their style of teaching is uniquely their own. Teachers need to account for students various learning abilities and must adapt their teaching styles to benefit each individual student and the classroom as a whole.

The teachers, more than any other professionals are momentarily subjected to scrutinizing to the minutest detail and observation by those they associate with. Teachers are judged more strictly than other professionals. The personality they project determines the impressions they make upon students and colleagues. Their poise, bearing and manner of dressing create a stunning and attractive appearance. Their facial expression communicates a friendly and amiable disposition.

In addition to this, there are various teaching styles used in the classroom which can be described as 1) authoritative figure, this is one of the most popular and widely used teaching styles. In this style, the teacher acts as the center of attention, demanding all students to form on the teacher’s direct instruction. In this style, the teacher maintains power through negative punishments in a swift and severe manner. This style of teaching is most common in disruptive classrooms and may produce short term gains. A teacher’s potential influence, however may degrade as the student moves on. 2) Authority models or demonstrates certain behaviors that are beneficial to the students. Instruction is provided in a similar fashion as the authority figure, but model behavior is shown by example, not demanded of students. There is often a clear cut discipline structure that is communicated to both parents and students. The teacher finds satisfaction in the strides that the students make each day. In return, the students begin that lasts beyond the classroom year. 3) The student-centric, this teaching style focuses heavily on each particular student, as this style assumes every student learns in a different capacity. Teachers must spend more time with each individual student accommodating the lessons to fit the students’ needs. This teaching style is ideal in smaller settings, but may suit a larger classroom. 4) The facilitator, this teaching style gives away for the teacher to create several activities and provide the classroom with materials and an outline, placing the impetus on students to complete assignments individually or in groups. Teachers may walk around the classroom to help facilitate thoughts about the subject matter, or they may stay at their desk answering questions when necessary. Facilitators, trust students to help their peers and derive answers mostly on their own. At the end of each activity, the teacher may gather the classroom for a joint discussion. 5) Delegator. Not many years ago, researcher and practitioners alike advocated strongly for hands on science activities that would allow students to learn experientially. Lectures were thus implemented by lab activities that students conducted themselves – either individually or as a part of a team. This type of teaching style is known as the hands off method. The delegate is very similar to the facilitator, but much more emphasis is placed on student-driven learning. The science teacher prepares complex situations that students must resolve individually or as a group. The science teacher allows the students to design and implement their own assessment and projects and reinforces the interaction among students.