Instructors develop a teaching style based on their beliefs about what constitutes good teaching, personal preferences, their abilities, and the norms of their particular discipline. Some believe classes should be teacher-centered, where the teacher is expert and authority in presenting information. Others take a learner-centered approach, viewing their role as more of a facilitor of student learning.
Although individuals have a dominant, preferred teaching style, they will often mix in some elements of other styles. If you wish to take a more open approach to your teaching, a blend of various styles may be very effective.
| Focus On: |
Content |
Learning |
| Learner |
Seller or Demonstrator:
Information-oriented
Works best with students who need little direction from the instructor, and/or those who accept responsibility for their own learning.
Example practice: Emphasis on independent learning activities for groups and individuals. |
Coach or Facilitator:
Learner-oriented
Works best with students who accept responsibility for their own learning, enjoy working with their peers, and/or those who may become easily frustrated when facing new challenges not directly addressed in the classroom
Example practice: Role modeling and coaching/guiding students on developing and applying skills and knowledge |
| Teacher |
Professor or Expert/Formal Authority:
Instructor-oriented
Works best with students who may become easily frustrated when facing new challenges not directly addressed in the classroom, and/or students who may compete with peers for rewards and recognition
Example practice: Traditional Lectures |
Entertainer or Delegator:
Relations-oriented
Works best with students who enjoy working with their peers, needing little direction from the instructor.
Example practice: Collaborative learning such as group work, peer review and other student-centered learning processes consistently emphasized in a course. |
Indiana State University's Center for Teaching and Learning has developed an elaborate online resource about teaching styles and online teaching, based on the work of Anthony Grasha. Their web site includes:
- an overview of teaching styles and instructional uses of the web;
- teaching style inventory;
- curriculum planning guidebook, divided by style;
- outline of the styles and rhythms of the WWW;
- discussion of using email, chat and discussion groups for different styles.
http://web.indstate.edu/ctl/styles/tstyle.html
