Teaching Techniques...Individualized!

So we've talked about group teaching techniques, but then what are some alternative options?

 Individualized teaching techniques! 

These teaching techniques allow the instructor to work one-on-one with individual students for various benefits. We must treat our students as individuals, as each plan to apply the content in different ways, have different interests, and learn in different ways. Great ways for students to get the most out of individualized learning is through these different teaching techniques: supervised study, experiments, independent study, student notebooks, and information/worksheets. By using these techniques, a teacher can spend specific time with each student, therefore being able to better provide special opportunities. Also through these techniques, students develop skills to learn on their own, grow their independence, and become inquisitive about the subject matter.

Experiments: A great individualized teaching technique

My cooperating center, Oley Valley High School, has a one-to-one program, which matches each student with a laptop. I view this as an excellent resource for guiding many individualized teach strategies. Right at their fingertips, students have access to valuable databases, videos, and general websites. Students can be put into groups or asked individually to research a certain topic using different resources. I have heard current teachers note that students really look forward to searching different topics on their computers. It helps them engage in the content, ask more questions, or find things that are even new to the teacher!

I would think that at times, it may be difficult to facilitate individual teaching techniques depending on the students and the particular subject matter. Students must not only remained focused and behaved, but also be able to read, organized, and synthesis thoughts and information.  However, I am looking forward to developing my facilitation skills using these techniques.