Not only did the world witness a life-altering pandemic in the twenty-first century, but it also provided the human race with novel methods of learning and adapting to unprecedented circumstances. The education sector has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 outbreak. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, parents and students are realising that traditional, classroom-style education is no longer necessary. We must now understand that we are preparing our children for the unknown, unseen and unpredictable. In this environment, it is the responsibility of an educational institution to ensure that the youth receive up-to-date and industry-relevant knowledge. Therefore, 21st-century school education needs to be capable of teaching students how to deal with unpredictability and change.
What is modern teaching?
Modern teaching methods are those that focus on educating students for improved intellect behaviour through the use of various new and innovative ideas, rather than making them recite the syllabus in the same old way to pass the exam.
The modern teaching method, as we call it, involves the learner completely in the learning process and is more activity-based. With a modern teaching method, curriculum planning and teaching are done with the learner’s needs in mind.
In this constructivist approach, learners actively participate in the process of expanding their knowledge and honing their skills. Meanwhile, the mentor or teacher only guides them to focus on the objectives of the subject. All of this is accomplished through activities and the use of innovative, cutting-edge teaching methods. The new need of the hour for students is to embrace modern teaching methods, which will reduce competition, promote cooperation, and improve their learning environment.
The goal of modern education:
Modern education aims to prepare students to be problem solvers, decision-makers, and enablers. We want students to graduate with life skills that will help them face challenges, even if they don’t know how to solve them. Most importantly, they need to be comfortable working with others who come from different backgrounds and life experiences.
Nowadays, there isn’t a single field of pursuit that is one-dimensional or individualistic. A sportsperson, even in the most extreme case, such as tennis or athletics, must interact with psychologists, trainers, and big data technologists, as well as work as part of a team.
It is not only about teaching the prescribed curriculum, but also about opening one’s mind to new possibilities, instilling life skills, and preparing one for entrepreneurship in any field. Traditional definitions of entrepreneurship have focused on venture creation, but venture management and scaling are now included.
It is the future of individual learning, customized consumption, and small learning spaces where students can learn in a fluid environment and learn from each other – peer learning. Students will face a dynamic change when flipped classrooms become the norm as opposed to the exception.
The ideas will go beyond the textbook and will focus more on application than an assessment of retention. With flexible learning paths, the emphasis on imparting life skills, student-centric learning methods, and the use of technology, “Education 4.0” is gaining traction.
Engaging modern teaching methodology
Thinking and analytical skills are the focus of modern teaching methodology. Developing abstract thinking skills and reflective observation in students contributes to future career development. During the process, students make projects, participate in field trips, and take on challenges within a controlled environment. This is the key to future success because it bridges the gap between learning and doing. It eliminates the discrepancy between theory and practice. As a result, the learning curve is shortened, and the methodology contributes to discernible mindset and behavioural changes. Creating an environment that fosters life-long learning, engages the students’ natural curiosity, and boosts retention is the key to holistic educational practices. The assessment system is also stronger and helps evaluate the core strengths as well as areas for improvement for every child using modern methods.
So what next? Want to know about modern teaching methods?