Methods of Instruction (Part 2)

This article continues the discussion about methods of instruction.

• Game: an instructional activity in which participants follow prescribed rules that differ from those of reality as they strive to attain a challenging goal; is usually competitive. A good sample of educational classroom games could be checked on http://ezinearticles.com/?Educational-Classroom-Games---Wheel-of-Fortune&id=510323, developed by Lucas Kent
• Group discussion, guided: a purposeful conversation and deliberation about a topic of mutual interest among 6-20 participantsunder the guidance of a leader. For example, in a Humanities class, the instructor forms students in small groups (6 members for each group), and ask every group to discuss about Gender Inequality. The questions might include: What is the idea of gender inequality?, How do we know that something respects gender equality or not? (give examples), have you ever experienced gender inequality in your culture/community? If yes, what have you done so far?, What should governments and society do to respond gender inequality?
• Group discussion, free/opened: a free group discussion of a topic selected by the teacher, who acts only as chairman; learning occurs only through the interchange among group members. For example: In a history class, a selected topic is "15th Century Temples in Asia Countries". Students in groups discuss about that topic and they are free to choose which temple they would like to discuss, as well as what aspects would be discussed.
• Ancient symposium: a group of 5-29 people who meet in a home or private room to enjoy good food, entertainment, fellowship, and with the desire to discuss informally a topic of mutual interest. For example, students in faculty of media studies come together to attend an ancient symposium about "Raising Awareness of Flash Animation". Students from different backgrounds (graphic design, web design, photography, videography, games design, etc.) share their points of view.
• Interview: a 5 to 30 minutes presentation conducted before an audience in which a resource person(s) responds to systematic questioning by the audience about a previously determined topic. For example, a group of students from Faculty of Environmental Studies perform a presentation about Eco-Friendly Houses before house owners in Warden Community area. After doing presentation, the students interview the house owners about their interest in Eco-Friendly House Improvement.
• Laboratory: a learning experience in which students interact with raw materials. For example, students of Pharmacy study program perform an experiment in a lab to gain knowledge in the culturing and identification of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
• Guided laboratory: an-instructor guided learning experience in which students interact with raw material. For example, students of Chemistry study program learn about various types of glassware and its function guided by their instructor
• Lecture/speech: An oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject for example done by a university professor or a college instructor
• Panel discussion: A group of 3 or 6 people having a purposeful conversation on an assigned topic before an audience of learners; members are selected on the basis of previously demonstrated interests and competency in the subject to be discussed and their ability to verbalize. For example, in a panel discussion about HIV/AIDS, the committee invites 3 experts. Three of them come from different background (medical, sociology, and psychology).
• Project: an organized task performance or problem solving activity. For example: student of Videography study program perform a Green Screen Video Production project

To be continued...

Main source: Reigeluth, C. (1999). Instructional-Design Theories and Models, Vol II: A New Paradigm of Instructional Theories. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence-Earlbaum Associates, Pub.