Methods of Teaching

Activity 1: 
Continue memorizing teacher actions in preparation for classroom observation 
Using the memorizing routine, continue to study the list of teacher actions on the 
‘Teacher Observation Form’. You may not achieve perfect recall during the observa-
tion, but you will find it easier to watch and record accurately at the same time.
Activity 2: Read Handout 4 ‘Direct Instruction’ and Handout 5 
‘Social Constructivist Learning Theory’ 
You are studying sources of knowledge about teaching and learning. In these two 
handouts, you will encounter another source of knowledge about teaching and 
learning: theory. A theory is a system of principles, ideas, or speculative thoughts 
intended to explain something. Read these two handouts and come to class prepared 
to thoughtfully discuss theory as a source of knowledge about teaching and learning.

---

COURSE GUIDE: Methods of Teaching
33
UNIT 1
UNIT 4
UNIT 5
UNIT 3
UNIT 6
UNIT 2
UNIT 7
Week 2: Sources of information about 
learning in school
Sub-topics
• Your experience as a student
• Current students’ self-descriptions
• Published research, especially in cognitive and educational psychology
• Observations in classrooms
• Reflections on student interviews by yourself and with others
• Conversations with experienced teachers
• Theories about learning
• Cultural influences on teaching and learning
Week 2, session 1 lesson
Today in class (5 minutes) 
Randomly select a class member and ask that person to give a two-minute summary 
of the last class. Randomly select additional Student Teachers to describe (in less than 
a minute) the most valuable idea or skill learnt in the last class. 
Tell Student Teachers their reports of conversations about good teaching with two 
teachers can be picked up from your desk at the end of class. 
Remind Student Teachers that in this unit they are studying sources of knowledge and 
beliefs about teaching and learning. The purpose of today’s class is to explore theory as an 
influence on decisions about teaching. A theory is a system of principles, ideas, or specula-
tive thoughts intended to explain instruction or learning. We will use direct instruction (an 
educational theory) and social constructivism (a learning theory) as examples.