Using Indirect Teaching Methods

Using Indirect Teaching Methods

Moore, Kenneth D. Effective Instructional Strategies. Chapter 6: Using Indirect Teaching Methods

As discussed in Chapter 5, Moore continues to identify the two approaches to teaching: direct and indirect in Chapter 6. The direct approach strategy emphasizes focused, teacher directed instruction, whereas indirect involves students actively engaging in their own learning. The indirect teaching approach places students at the forefront of obtaining knowledge, as the teacher acts as guided facilitator. The author identifies three forms of the indirect teaching approaches: discussions, discoveries, and inquiry. Advantages and disadvantages of the indirect teaching approach are examined.

I am currently at the point in my classroom setting where I have been able to learn and understand how my students function and learn. This chapter was very insightful to me because I wanted to use the indirect teaching strategy throughout this school year, but I did not have the proper knowledge to partake in such a strategy. As I strive to help push my students into higher levels of thinking and learning, I see myself incorporating some of the heuristic methods in my classroom. The most appealing heuristic method was the modes of discovery and inquiry because they represent problem solving. As I move into my Geometry Concepts term, I can visualize my active participation as the facilitator and motivator as my students engage in real life mathematical problem solving. Like the direct teaching approach, indirect teaching teachers play a vital rule in how learning will take place. I think it very important to find the balance between incorporating direct and indirect teaching strategies.