What are the Major Differences Between the Teacher-Directed and Student-Engaged Models of Teaching?

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinical best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know some of the major differences between student-engaged and teacher-directed models of teaching.


Some Major Differences Between the Student-Engaged and the Teacher-Directed Models of Teaching

The Student-Engaged Model of Teaching
Teacher structures many opportunities for students to talk.
Teacher invites students to help create meaningful classroom rules.
Students create knowledge.
Students construct knowledge.
Teacher respects the prior knowledge of students, and views students as theory builders.
Teacher taps into the multiple intelligences of students.
There are many teachers, and learners in the room.
Teacher and students pose questions to the entire learning community.
Teacher uses traditional, and non-traditional, or alternative assessment instruments.
Teacher gives students raw data, primary sources, and manipulatives to generate the major concepts in the curriculum.
Teacher allows student responses to drive the lesson.
Teacher provides students with many opportunities to interact with one another, and move around the classroom.

The Teacher-Directed Models of Teaching
Teacher does most of the talking.
Teacher promulgates the classroom rules.
Teacher transmits knowledge.
Students receive knowledge.
Teacher views students as empty vessels having little relevant prior knowledge.
Teacher primarily uses visual and auditory means to deliver instruction.
There is one teacher in the room, and many learners.
Teacher poses the questions.
Teacher primarily uses traditional assessment instruments.
Teacher tells the major concepts in the curriculum.
Teacher's lesson plan drives what is taught each day.
Teacher believes students must be still in order to learn.

For additional information about this and related topics see http://richarddsolomonsblog.blogspot.com/ and http://toolboxforteachersandmentors.com