9 Teaching Methods To Promote Success in the Classroom

With the right teaching methods, educators can create an enjoyable and productive
classroom experience for students where they can learn important academic and social
skills to last a lifetime. There are many frameworks that a teacher could use to support
students with different interests, abilities and learning styles. If you're a teacher or
professional in the education field, you might benefit from learning about new
instructive strategies in the field to maximize your students’ chances of success in your
classroom.

In this article, we define what teaching methods are, explore nine types of teaching
methods, review the benefits of these methods and provide some tips for doing so
successfully.

Key takeaways:

Teaching methods are techniques that educators can use to facilitate the teaching
process and help students feel engaged and interested in the material.

Types of teaching methods include differentiated instruction, lecture-based instruction,

technology-based learning, group learning, individual learning, inquiry-based learning,
kinesthetic learning, game-based learning and expeditionary learning.

Improve your teaching methods by testing different ones using the same lesson,
meeting with other teachers to get their perspectives and remaining flexible.

What are teaching methods?

Teaching methods are ways to instruct students in a classroom, helping them to

understand and remember what they've learned. Some of the best teaching strategies
allow educators to convey information in a clear and concise way while also ensuring
students retain it over the long term. If students can comprehend facts on a deep level
and practice skills properly in the classroom, they can apply that wisdom and those
abilities to their personal lives and their future careers.

Teaching methods are opportunities to make learning engaging, inspiring and fun for
students. They aid teachers in fulfilling the responsibility of guiding the social and
emotional development of children. By using the right strategies, teachers can instill
values of respect, empathy and cultural sensitivity into their classroom. They also use
teaching methods to prepare students for standardized testing. Your classroom
philosophies and principles can vary based on your preferences as a teacher, your
school mission statement, your subject areas and other factors.

Types of teaching methods

There are many kinds of procedures a teacher can use in a classroom. Many of them are
similar in purpose, and educators can use a blend of instruction methods to best fit the
needs of their students. Here are nine typical approaches to consider:

1. Differentiated instruction

Differentiated instruction is the idea of creating tailored education plans for students
based on differing needs. This may involve the ways by which students access content,
the activities they do, the assessment techniques a teacher uses or even the physical
setup of a classroom. As all people have varying abilities and talents, it's beneficial for a
teacher to adapt their teaching styles to unique students. This is also a key step in
supporting students with disabilities in the classroom and ensuring they feel welcome
and comfortable in academic environments.

Here are some ways an educator may differentiate instruction:

1. Provide books or other materials at different reading levels.

2. Create custom spelling lists for students with different spelling skills.
3. Host small groups to provide tailored advice to students.
4. Offer one-on-one after-school help to students encountering challenges.
5. Discuss student progress and at-home educational strategies with parents.
6. Measure progress in different ways, through projects, portfolios and participation.

2. Lecture-based learning

A traditional way to structure classroom learning is the lecture format, in which teachers
explain information while students observe. Teachers lead a lesson by presenting on,
showing visuals of and modeling examples of a topic. While a teacher is presenting,
students can listen, watch, take notes and copy the teacher's demonstrations. While this
is a conventional and helpful approach, teachers may alter it for different learning
environments.

Here are some ways that teachers ensure the success of lecture-based learning:
1. Keep lessons brief: Students, especially those at a young age, may have short
attention spans and might only be able to focus for short periods of time. It can be
advantageous to keep classroom lectures short and concise to maintain student
attention and engagement.
2. Allow time for questions: While lecture-based learning is a teacher-centered
approach, educators can still involve student input by making time for questions
before, during and after the presentation. While this can make the lecture process
longer, it can also allow students to engage with the material, comprehend it and
remember it more easily.
3. Create instructional videos: Many teachers use a flipped classroom approach where
they encourage students to watch lectures or instructional videos at home and
complete assignments in class. This can be a great opportunity to let students work
at their own pace, as they can see videos again by rewinding and replaying them.
4. Use visual cues: Whether in or outside of the academic environment, using visual
cues in presentations such as icons, images and videos can be a great way to keep
your audiences interested in the content. Make sure to use high-contrast colors and
bold shapes and lines so students across your classroom can see and understand
your messages.
5. Promote handwritten notes: For those students who are able, hand-writing notes on
paper can be a superb way to stay focused during lectures. It can also help people to
recall information well and strengthen their spelling and writing skills.

3. Technology-based learning

Teachers can use technology in the classroom to make teaching processes more
efficient and aid in student learning. Students can use devices like computers and
tablets to read materials, conduct research or play educational games. In addition, cloud
computing capabilities make it possible for students to access documents or other
resources while at school or at home. Virtual classrooms using video conferencing
software can be a great way to provide education remotely. This can be especially
helpful for students with disabilities who may have difficulties focusing in a physical
classroom environment.

4. Group learning
Segmenting students into groups is a great way to teach them skills in collaboration.
While in their teams, they can discuss subjects and learn about the perspectives of
others. It's important to encourage both class participation and listening skills so that
students can gain these abilities for the future. Teachers can assign group presentations
so students can convey information to the rest of the class, ask and answer questions
and interact with each other.

5. Individual learning

While group projects can be exciting opportunities for students, it's also important to
promote individual learning so that they can work by themselves. Assigning journal
entries can be an excellent way to give students time to think through topics and
develop thoughts and analyses. This is especially helpful before hosting a class
discussion so class members can have ideas for what to say. Teachers can read writing
assignments to reward points to students who can't participate vocally in class.

6. Inquiry-based learning

Inquiry-based learning promotes the idea of learning by investigation, where students

can complete projects, ask questions and find answers by themselves. While teachers act
as resources in these times, the goal is for students to solve problems and discover
information on their own. Upon learning about concepts, they can explain and present
the concepts in their own words to further enforce them in their memories. Then,
students can advance to higher levels at their own pace. This is a way for students to
perform an active role in the learning process

7. Kinesthetic learning

Kinesthetic learning is the notion of learning through movement. Teachers can move
around the classroom and use hand gestures while they present to engage students
visually and kinesthetically. They can also encourage students to perform physical
activities where they can move around and use their creativity. Here are some ideas:

1. Drawing: Many students enjoy drawing or painting, and teachers can include this
activity in the classroom to make learning enjoyable. Students can have the option to
develop ideas and use different colors and tools to make their ideas a reality.
2. Acting: Students, especially young children, may have an exciting time developing
and role-playing in theatrical performances. This can be a great idea for
implementing kinesthetic learning in group projects.
3. Building: Building structures with blocks, toys or other materials can help students
develop hand-eye coordination and analytical thinking skills. It can also be a fun way
for them to stay focused in the classroom.
4. Playing: A traditional form of kinesthetic learning is playing sports, and many schools
have gym classes where students can exert energy and spend time outside. You can
also have educational sports games in the classroom, where students can move
around and learn simultaneously.

8. Game-based learning

If you want to update your classroom techniques and help children to be more excited
about learning, consider developing and implementing educational games or
challenges, whether in-person or online. These can inspire children, especially
kinesthetic learners, to participate more fully in the learning process and keep them
motivated and focused on lessons. It can also allow them the opportunity to solve
problems and reach a goal.

9. Expeditionary learning

Expeditionary learning is the process of learning through participating in practical

experiences. These can be projects, case studies or lab experiments in the classroom or
field trips to places around your school and community. For example, in a science class,
you might take a trip to a nearby nature center to learn about the types of animals and
plants in your area. This type of approach encourages students to apply classroom
knowledge and skills to the real world. It can help them comprehend the purpose of
their efforts and return to schoolwork with enthusiasm.

Benefits of using teaching methods

Using teaching methods can make the job duties of educators easier and more effective.
Here are some benefits of this process:
1. Teaching your students effectively: You can use effective teaching methods that
educators have been using throughout history to help people learn. Paying attention
to the way you teach students, in addition to the content you convey to them, is a
critical part of ensuring they master subjects and abilities.
2. Planning your educational content: In any career field, conducting the proper
amount of planning and preparation can ensure your work is efficient and error-free.
Planning your teaching methods for the day, week, month, quarter or year can
support well-functioning lessons and classroom activities.
3. Finding the best ways to connect with your students: Experimenting with various
teaching methods allows you to gauge what your students need and govern your
classroom well. You can discover the teaching styles that lead to better performance
on assessments and better progress reports.

Tips for using teaching methods:

With the right planning and sensitivity, many teachers can excel at using various
instructional strategies in the classroom. Here are some tips for using teaching methods
successfully:

1. Consult with more advanced professionals: Conduct research and consult with
experienced teaching professionals to find inspiration for how you can operate your
classroom effectively. You can also check with multiple people to confirm that your
lessons are appropriate before implementing them to ensure their success.
2. Gain feedback from students and parents: In many schools, there are methods
through which students and parents can give regular feedback to teachers about
classroom techniques. Study this feedback carefully to adjust your approaches and
meet student and parent needs.
3. Be adaptable: Stay open to trying new methods as your students grow, as you get
new students and as times change. With the advance of technology and other tools
you can use in the classroom, there are many ways you might improve your students'
learning experiences.
4. Create a routine: An everyday routine, like a brief lecture, an individual writing
assignment and a group activity every day, can keep the classroom predictable and
comfortable for students. If students know what to expect, this can reduce stress and
make them more ready to learn new information.
5. Teach the same topic in three different ways: Consider teaching key topics in
multiple ways using a mix of methods to help students remember the information.
 For example, you might have them read about a topic, write about it and perform an
interactive activity about it.

Interview Q&A: "What Is Your Classroom Management Style?"

When interviewing for teaching jobs, it's important to understand your teaching and
leadership techniques so you can accurately represent yourself to an employer.
Classroom management styles vary depending on the individual, and hiring managers
want to learn more about how you would provide a positive learning environment for
your students. Understanding classroom management styles and reviewing example
interview answers can help you effectively prepare for an upcoming interview with an
employer.

In this article, we discuss why interviewers ask about your classroom management style,
review the different styles and explain how to discuss your specific style during a teacher
job interview.

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Why do employers ask "What's your classroom management style?"

Employers ask, "What's your classroom management style?" because they want to learn
more about your teaching philosophy and how you plan to help students focus and
learn. Here are some additional reasons why employers ask this question during an
interview:

To determine your values

Different schools have different educational values and objectives for their students to
achieve. Because of this, employers might ask about your classroom management style
to see how your teaching methods could uphold those values. For example, a school
that emphasizes the importance of autonomous learning might look to hire someone
with more of an authoritative or indulgent classroom management style.

To learn about your professional experience

An employer can learn more about a teacher's teaching philosophy and who they are as
a teacher by asking about their classroom management style. They can also determine
how much experience a teacher has had in the classroom by asking about their
classroom management style.

Experienced teachers may find it easier to provide their students with a certain level of
autonomy in the classroom. Newly qualified teachers, meanwhile, may have a more
authoritarian approach so they can maintain control within an unfamiliar classroom
environment.

To determine your ability to handle specialized needs

Once they get a job offer and start working, a teacher may receive certain students
based on their classroom management style and teaching philosophy, which is why
employers ask about it during a job interview. For example, an employer places students
with behavioral problems with a teacher who describes themselves as authoritative. An
employer knows that a teacher with an authoritative classroom management style can
discipline them while also making them feel heard and valued.

What are classroom management styles?

Classroom management styles refer to the methods and best practices that teachers use
to maximize student learning and engagement. You may divide classroom management
styles into four categories:

1. Authoritative

An authoritative classroom management style includes high control and high

involvement. This means that teachers with an authoritative style value discipline and
order while also valuing student connections and learning more about their lives,
hobbies or interests. Authoritative teachers also maintain frequent communication with
parents if they notice changes in a student's learning or behaviors.

Authoritative teachers also practice high involvement by letting students have some
autonomy over their own learning. While they may deliver lectures, they may also
encourage students to collaborate with their peers via group projects.

Under this leadership style, a teacher also lets students suggest changes they believe
would benefit the classroom environment. Still, authoritative teachers establish clear
boundaries and provide students with the necessary guidance.

2. Authoritarian
An authoritarian classroom management style involves high control and low
involvement. Teachers with an authoritarian style typically concentrate more on keeping
their students focused on school work and following instructions. Authoritarian teachers
usually deliver lectures to teach content rather than allowing students to participate in
inquiry-based or project-based learning.

They also don't tend to speak with students about their personal lives or form bonds
with them that go beyond praise and discipline. For example, a teacher with an
authoritarian classroom management style assigns seats and makes classroom rules
visible for students to read or reference.

They also discipline students for not following established procedures. Most employees
in the teaching field view this style negatively, so you can mention another style when
an interviewer asks about your classroom management style.

3. Indulgent

An indulgent classroom management style involves low control with high involvement.
Teachers with an indulgent style value their students and engage in conversations with
them about their interests and home life.

They also don't rely heavily on discipline or rule enforcement because they believe it
negatively affects students' development. They rely on their students' abilities to work
independently and also incorporate their students' preferences when deciding on what
type of lessons or assignments they complete on a given day.

4. Permissive

A permissive classroom management style uses low control and low involvement. These
teachers don't engage with their students on a personal level or try to get to know them
better. They also don't provide students with much structure or guidance on an
academic level.

While students have the freedom to express themselves when they have a permissive
teacher, they don't develop academically or socially because the teacher provides them
with no guidance, motivation or inspiration. Like the authoritarian style, most educators
view this style negatively. You may choose the indulgent or authoritative styles to
discuss in a job interview instead.
How to answer "What's your classroom management style?"

Your answer to interview questions about classroom management styles can affect how
an employer evaluates your teaching capabilities and relative experiences for the job.
Here's a list of steps on how to respond when an interviewer asks about your classroom
management style:

1. State your preferred classroom management style

Start your answer by identifying the classroom management style that best aligns with
your teaching philosophy. This allows you to begin with a clear statement before you
start to elaborate further. Use the correct label for your most prominent style and
ensure that the interviewer understands your statement.

2. Mention that you can adapt your classroom management style as necessary

Even if you have a dominant classroom management style as a teacher, mention that
you're adaptable. If an employer can see that you can implement a different learning
style to meet your students' needs, they may be more likely to consider you for the
open role. For example, when students are mature and self-motivated, the teacher may
adapt their authoritative classroom management style to include aspects of an
indulgent management style.

3. Offer examples that highlight your classroom management style

Once you've mentioned that you're adaptable, be sure to elaborate on your claims by
providing professional examples from your past. One example of this would be if you
worked as a teacher's aide during college. You could discuss a teacher's classroom
management style and explain how you had a positive learning experience.

4. Relate your classroom management style to the employer's school policies

Before your interview, you can review the school's rules for students, including policies,
procedures or school slogans. This allows you to conclude your answer with a statement
that connects your style to their values as an educational institution. Aligning yourself
and your classroom management style with the ideals of the employer can help you
earn the role and display your qualifications.

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Example answers for "What's your classroom management style?"

Here are some example answers for the authoritative and indulgent classroom
management styles:

Example 1

Here's an example response from a teacher who has an authoritative classroom

management style:

"I believe that it's imperative for students to have both a disciplinary and nurturing
environment in which to learn, which is why I'd describe my classroom management
style as more authoritative. In my class, my students have a voice and I encourage their
input and feedback regarding their lessons.

Because I want them to be active participants in the learning process, I like to include
project-based tasks that encourage peer collaboration in my lesson plans. I also instill
discipline and ensure my students are familiar with the classroom rules to create a safe
and productive learning environment.

While rules and discipline are important in my class, I involve the students in the rule-
making process. At the beginning of the school year, my students and I create a
classroom rules poster together and then we hang it on the wall. Doing so provides
them with a level of autonomy and internal motivation.

That said, I prefer to focus on recognizing positive behavior in my classroom. I also

ensure that my lessons are engaging and well-planned to boost student participation
and provide a generally happy and exciting learning environment."

Related: How To Get Hired as a Teacher in 8 Steps (With Tips)

Example 2

Here's an example response from a teacher who has an indulgent classroom

management style:

"My classroom management style places emphasis on making students feel valued and
in charge of their learning experience. I've noticed through experience that students
tend to engage better when they have a say in the methods and activities they use to
learn. Not every student learns in the same way, so I give them the freedom to read,
write, listen to audiotapes or have discussions with their classmates to maximize the
materials they absorb.

Also, at the beginning of each school day, we have circle time before we begin class. We
each go around the group and say one thing we're grateful for and one thing we're
eagerly anticipating. It allows me to get to know my students better and it helps them
start the day with a positive outlook. I believe my classroom management style
embodies this school's motto of 'Where Students Come First,' as I provide them with the
resources to partake in learning at their own pace, and I take the time to ensure they all
feel special."