Alternative Teaching Strategies
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide an understanding of alternative teaching strategies that can help create a student-centered classroom environment. We will discuss research suggesting why traditional teaching methods are not always effective and how alternative strategies such as reflective thinking, active learning, and visual teaching can be employed instead. We will also explore ways to understand student motivation, differentiate instruction, assess learning outcomes, and build positive relationships with students. Additionally, we will examine the importance of self-efficacy in an instructor’s ability to successfully use alternative strategies for improved outcomes inside and outside the classroom. By the end of this course, you will understand how implementing creative approaches to instruction can lead to increased academic achievement through applied alternative teaching strategies.
Course Objectives:
- Explain why traditional teaching methods may not always be effective when working with groups of varying abilities & needs
- Demonstrate various strategies for incorporating reflective thinking & active learning into instructional activities
- Utilize new methods for harnessing technology as a tool in connecting with students across various settings
- Examine ways to differentiate instruction in order to meet the needs of diverse learners while using alternative approaches
- Evaluate resources & techniques regarding ideas on assessment configurations appropriate for students using different pedagogical styles
- Identify opportunities for building positive relationships focused on trust & empathy while employing a mix of instructional techniques
- Analyze evidence related to improving motivation through engaging in activities in order to promote independent learning among students
- Assess effectiveness in comprehending content by utilizing visuals in conjunction with text as part of alternative teaching strategies
- Investigate obstacles associated with the implementation of these types of approaches, particularly within large classrooms or school systems
- Describe practical implications related to increasing instructor self-efficacy via the introduction & usage implementation of alternative instructional settings supported by innovative technologies
