3 Alternative Teaching Methods to Try in the Classroom

Needless to say, COVID-19 had an enormous effect on the students’ ability to focus, with the majority reporting having a difficult time concentrating, and studying in general.

And where the students suffer, the teachers’ troubles accumulate and compile on one another. Considering that we’re in “unprecedented times,” it’s time for putting the traditional teaching methods aside and giving alternative teaching methodologies a go. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the whole concept of alternative teaching, no worries. You’ve come to the right place. Keep on reading for our little guide on the top three alternative teaching methods you can start applying in your classroom.

Must, read How You Can Be A Good Teacher

The King of Alternative Teaching Methods: Project-Based Learning

In the simplest of terms, Project-Based learning (PBL) is a teaching method that puts the students front and center. Basically, it’s a student-centered approach for engaging with curriculum-based challenges or problems. 

For instance, the students can start applying curriculum-based theory to real-world problems. They can span issues that the students actually care about, whether meme-culture or even the latest viral TikTok. By working to solve the problem, they get to automatically apply and develop academic knowledge and skills.

Besides, PBL challenges tend to require a hefty dose of teamwork and students forming groups to solve the problems. In turn, this will help them nurture their soft skills, like teamwork, communication, and leadership. 

Even during the lockdown and online school, the students can still collaborate in their virtual classrooms. This is just the beginning of understanding the perks of PBL. Check this out to learn more about Project Based Learning.

Naturalistic Teaching

The second method that you can apply in your classroom is naturalistic teaching, especially since it’s the second-most common ABA teaching strategy used in classrooms. 

This method focuses on letting the students set the pace of learning, by integrating their lessons in the context of their daily routines. For example, a student that’s interested in music can be taught about the frequency of sound. 

This will enable the teachers to take the role of mediators, and allowing the students to exert more control over their learning, which minimizes a variety of problematic behaviors that tends to interfere with their learning process.

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Contingent Observation

Speaking of problematic behavior, if disruptive behavior is overtaking your classes, and you’re teaching groups of young children, then contingent observation might be a lifesaver. 

Generally speaking, this method preaches giving students who are exhibiting inappropriate behaviors actual instructions on better ways to act. Afterward, they’re asked to remove themselves from the social group for a short period of time, while watching other students exhibit appropriate behavior. 

Unlike time-out which focuses on the punitive measure, this one asks students to earn from their peers. 

Ready to Shake-up Your Teaching Methods?

There will be no escape from the growing pains of teaching students, who are already dealing with focus problems, virtually. However, by implementing new alternative teaching methods, you get to shake things up and see how your students respond.

We hope the main three methods we’ve just covered have given you new ideas, and research terms for you to build your lesson plans. And, remember that you can always reach for help if you’re stuck. 

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