Incorporating different instructional approaches in your classroom
By Scott Mines
EDI 600 Psychological Foundation of Education
School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
April 1, 2009
Today was an interesting class on the Three Approaches to Instruction. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion you cannot use one approach alone. For some younger age children the Humanistic and Cognitive approach have to be incorporated with the Behavioral. According to The Cognitive approach, one needs prior knowledge and experience. For example, to be able to teach a class of kindergartners or first graders a teacher can see that the students do not have much prior knowledge or experiences in life. They still have a far way to go in this area. Making connections and constructing their own ideas and hypothesis may be lacking as well. Teachers really have to use a great deal of knowledge to educate a five year old. However, sometimes you’ll run into that whiz kid like my son who seems to know too much at five years of age. With the Behavioral approach a teacher must be well educated with the subject matter they are teaching.
I do agree that by using the Behavioral approach, a young child really feeds off the teacher. That’s why there must be “great teachers”. There must be effective lesson plans and a lot of the times you can only motivate young children by explaining to them the consequences. That being said, a teacher needs to have love and passion for their students at a young age. A teacher must focus on relating familiar situations, using authentic materials, exploring, and gaining confidence in the students. The Cognitive and Humanistic approach must be combined with the Behavioral approach for students up to any age.
Personally, once you enter fourth and fifth grade the Humanistic approach is the best approach to implement. By using community building, making the students feel welcomed, and addressing the student’s feelings, it builds confidence in the kids. Without confidence, many obstacles to learning can form. I have definitely noticed this in my observations. I always refer to the journaling as we used in class as a great confidence builder. To explore problems and to discuss topics is really paramount as well.
When it comes to high school students all approaches must be combined, however sometimes the love and passion an elementary teacher has, should turn into tough love. For example, a teenager might not take well to a teacher who tries to understand their feelings. It might shut them out more. You need to know what’s going on in their lives but have to find a delicate way to do it.
Long Island University, C. W. Post
April 1, 2009
Today was an interesting class on the Three Approaches to Instruction. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion you cannot use one approach alone. For some younger age children the Humanistic and Cognitive approach have to be incorporated with the Behavioral. According to The Cognitive approach, one needs prior knowledge and experience. For example, to be able to teach a class of kindergartners or first graders a teacher can see that the students do not have much prior knowledge or experiences in life. They still have a far way to go in this area. Making connections and constructing their own ideas and hypothesis may be lacking as well. Teachers really have to use a great deal of knowledge to educate a five year old. However, sometimes you’ll run into that whiz kid like my son who seems to know too much at five years of age. With the Behavioral approach a teacher must be well educated with the subject matter they are teaching.
I do agree that by using the Behavioral approach, a young child really feeds off the teacher. That’s why there must be “great teachers”. There must be effective lesson plans and a lot of the times you can only motivate young children by explaining to them the consequences. That being said, a teacher needs to have love and passion for their students at a young age. A teacher must focus on relating familiar situations, using authentic materials, exploring, and gaining confidence in the students. The Cognitive and Humanistic approach must be combined with the Behavioral approach for students up to any age.
Personally, once you enter fourth and fifth grade the Humanistic approach is the best approach to implement. By using community building, making the students feel welcomed, and addressing the student’s feelings, it builds confidence in the kids. Without confidence, many obstacles to learning can form. I have definitely noticed this in my observations. I always refer to the journaling as we used in class as a great confidence builder. To explore problems and to discuss topics is really paramount as well.
When it comes to high school students all approaches must be combined, however sometimes the love and passion an elementary teacher has, should turn into tough love. For example, a teenager might not take well to a teacher who tries to understand their feelings. It might shut them out more. You need to know what’s going on in their lives but have to find a delicate way to do it.
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