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Traditional Method VS Modern
Traditional Method VS Modern
Teaching styles have changed significantly over the years. The traditional way
that education was delivered was through recitation and memorization
techniques, whereas the modern way of doing things involves interactive
methods.
Traditional teaching
The back-to-basics traditional education method, also known as conventional
education, is still widely used in schools. The old-fashioned way of teaching
was all about recitation, for example students would sit in silence, while one
student after another would take it in turns to recite the lesson, until each one
had been called upon. The teacher would listen to each student’s recitation,
and they were expected to study and memorise the assignments. At the end
of the module a written test or oral examination would be conducted; this
process was called an Assignment Study Recitation Test.
The way in which traditional methods were taught ensured that students were
rewarded for their efforts, used class periods efficiently and exercised clear
rules to manage students’ behaviour. They were based on established
customs that had been used successfully in schools over many years. The
teachers communicated the knowledge and enforced standards of behaviour.
One modern method is spaced learning, this is when students are encouraged
to quickly switch through activities, for example; providing 10 minutes of
knowledge on a subject with a PowerPoint presentation and then having 15
minutes of sport. The aim of spaced learning is to achieve better grades, and
it works! It is claimed that this is a more effective than teaching students by
traditional methods for four hours, thus helping the brain cells to create
connections that they need to remember knowledge. It also helps people
relax.
Sonia Jackson who wrote an interesting blog post about modern teaching
methods for Getting Smart states: “The traditional “chalk and talk” method of
teaching that’s persisted for hundreds of years is now acquiring inferior results
when compared with the more modern and revolutionary teaching methods
that are available for use in schools today. Greater student interaction is
encouraged, the boundaries of authority are being broken down, and a focus
on enjoyment over grades is emphasised.”
Conclusion
Because traditional techniques used repetition and memorisation of
information to educate students, it meant that they were not developing
their critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills. Modern
learning encourages students to collaborate and therefore be more
productive. Saying that, traditional and modern teaching methods are both
effective and useful in today’s education. Sarah Wright, who blogs for TES,
explains, “As with most things, it’s all about balance. We need
to understand when a traditional method works best and when it’s right to try
new and innovative approaches.”