Concept 1 · free preview
Teacher-centred and child-centred methods
Understand
Ask one question of every method: who is active in the class? In the lecture method the teacher talks and pupils listen — it is the most teacher-centred. In demonstration the teacher performs the activity and explains as she goes. In discussion, project, problem-solving, play-way and activity-based learning the child does, thinks and talks — these are child-centred.
| Method | Who is active? | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Teacher | One-way communication; much content for a large class in little time |
| Demonstration | Teacher does, pupils watch | Teacher performs an experiment/activity and explains it |
| Discussion | Pupils and teacher | Exchange of views; seminar, symposium, panel and debate are its forms |
| Play-way | Pupils | Learning through games, e.g. a pretend shop to learn about money |
| Activity-based learning | Pupils | 'Learning by doing' |
Example
A teacher heats water before the class, shows steam forming drops on a cold plate and explains each step → demonstration. If the pupils did the experiment themselves and found the result → heuristic method.
Remember
Key words: 'teacher shows while explaining' = demonstration; 'pupils find out themselves' = heuristic; 'through a game' = play-way; 'learning by doing' = activity-based learning.
Common mistake
Calling demonstration child-centred. In demonstration the teacher does the activity; the pupils watch.
Check yourself
Seminar, symposium, panel and debate are forms of which method?