Effectiveness of Selected Teaching Strategies in Relation to the Learning Styles of Secondary School Students in India

Abstract

Effective teaching in schools requires flexibility, energy and commitment. Successful teaching also requires that teachers are able to address learner’s needs and understand the variations in learner’s styles and approaches. Teachers can accomplish these requirements while creating an optimal teaching–learning environment by utilizing a variety of teaching methods and teaching styles. If teachers use a variety of teaching methods and styles, learners are exposed to both familiar and unfamiliar ways of learning that provide both comfort and tension during the process, ultimately giving learners multiple ways to excel. Numerous teaching strategies such as white board, lecture, cooperative learning, writing assignments, demonstration, field trips, grouping, brainstorming, guest speakers, bulletin boards, debates, panel discussion, crossword puzzles, teaching with cases, team-based learning, team teaching, library research on topics or problems, audio-tutorial lessons, making of posters by students, puppets, use of motion pictures, educational films, videotapes, current events and internet are utilized in the modern classroom for secondary education. Each teaching strategies has their own pros and cons. This paper aims to present the effectiveness of selected teaching strategies: group discussions, real objects, audio-visual aids, computer assisted instructions, role play, work sheets, smart boards, quizzes, mind maps, team projects, individual projects, field trip and internet access in relation to the learning styles of the secondary school students.