Teaching Techniques:An American Perspective

Supplementary PresentationBarbara Gastel, MD, MPH

AuthorAID WorkshopBangladesh, May 2009

Source

Gastel B. Teaching techniques: theory and practice. In: Witte FM, Taylor ND, eds. Essays for Biomedical Communicators: Volume 2 of Selected AMWA Workshops. Bethesda, Maryland: American Medical Writers Association, 1997.

Some Observationson Teaching and Learning

Some Observationson Teaching and Learning

• Teaching is helping others learn.• Learning is not restricted to the classroom.• Learning is an individual matter. Students differ

in learning styles, backgrounds, and goals.• Different good teachers have different styles.

However, they also have attributes in common:– Being knowledgeable about their subject– Being well organized– Presenting material clearly– Facilitating participation effectively– Showing enthusiasm and promoting interest

Observations (cont)

• Especially for adults, good learning situations tend to have the following characteristics:– Learners are treated as unique individuals, are shown

respect, and have chances to make choices and show initiative.

– Learners have chances to draw from and build on their experiences.

– Learners can gain knowledge and skills useful in achieving their preexisting goals.

– Learners can soon use the material that they are learning.

Observations (cont)

• Teachers should define their goals and objectives.

• Teaching methods should be suited to the teaching objectives.

• Students should be informed of the goals and objectives of the teaching—and perhaps of the reasons for the teaching methods.

• The material to be learned should be meaningful.

Observations (cont)

• “Active” learning generally is more effective than “passive” learning.

• Trying to present too much material in a given amount of time is counterproductive.

• Giving students—and teachers—feedback is important. The feedback should be timely and constructive.

• How students’ performance is evaluated influences what they do and what they learn.

• Teaching and learning should be enjoyable.

Giving Lectures

Giving Lectures:Engaging the Audience

• Relate what you so to what already interests the group.

• Try to stimulate curiosity.

• Use an engaging manner of delivery.

• Include variety.

• Use audiovisual materials, if appropriate.

• From time to time, give the audience an active role.

Giving Lectures: Organizing the Material in a Meaningful Way

• Relate the information to what the students already know and to what they will do in the future.

• Give the lecture a simple, logical structure.

• Unless suspense is intended, present overviews before details.

• Include summaries.

Giving Lectures: Making the Material Clear by Other Means

• Remember to define terms that might be unfamiliar.

• Avoid or greatly limit the use of abbreviations.• Speak slowly enough.• Repeat or otherwise emphasize important ideas.• Make relationships between ideas clear.• State your reasoning.• Consider using audiovisual aids to clarify the

material.• Check with the audience.

Giving Lectures:Avoiding Stage Fright

• Prepare well, but don’t over-prepare.• Become familiar with the lecture room beforehand.• Rehearse before someone supportive.• Beware of too much caffeine, food, or water.• Get some exercise.• Develop rapport with the students before the lecture.• Think positively.• Hide physical signs of anxiety.• Realize that a lecture need not be perfect to be

excellent.

Giving Lectures:Using Audiovisual Aids

• Keep visuals simple, so they can be understood quickly.

• In general, use graphs rather than tables.• Be sure that visuals are legible.• Check the room and the equipment beforehand.• Show visuals only at relevant times.• Orient the audience to what is being presented.• Keep each visual in view long enough.

Leading Discussions

Leading Discussions:Using Questions Effectively

• Include questions that stimulate participants to think (not only questions that just require memorization).

• Phrase questions clearly.• Ask one question at a time.• After a question, allow enough thinking time.• Do not call on only the people who raise their

hands first.• Ask participants to present the reasoning behind

their answers.• If answers are ambiguous, ask for clarification.

Leading Discussions: Promoting Participation in Other Ways

• If possible, place chairs in a circle or other arrangement that promotes interaction.

• If the group is large, perhaps break it into subgroups.

• Perhaps leave the room for part of the time.• Encourage participants to react to what others

say.• At times give participants specific roles—such as

note-taker, summarizer, or discussion leader.

Giving Feedback

Giving Feedback

• Be generous with praise.• If you will give both praise and criticism, begin

with praise. Maybe present a “criticism sandwich” (praise, then criticism, then praise).

• Give criticism at an appropriate time and place.• Criticize or praise the behavior, not the person.• Avoid sarcasm.• Express criticisms as perceptions, not fact.

Giving Feedback (cont)

• Be specific in your criticisms, and provide suggestions for improvement.

• Make sure the criticism is understood.• If appropriate, offer help in improving

performance.• Do not make too many points in a single

session.• Show empathy.• Help recipients learn to evaluate their own

performance.• If performance improves, provide praise.

Thank you!