Methods of Teaching and Learning

There are some peculiarities of traditional methods of teaching and learning in American colleges and Universities. The first is the fact that the number of lectures is quite small and they are of a lecture-discussion type, when a professor makes frequent pauses to ask questions that stimulate discussion. Preference is given to interactive classes held in small groups of no more than 12-15 students. Such classes are usually based on students studying independently, according to the teacher's assignments and recommendations, and then discussing the material in class under the teacher's guidance.

The greater part of talking in such classes is done by the students who often seem to be organizing the lesson and conducting it. This organization of classroom work develops a lot of important skills. It teaches creativity, initiative, skills of independent study and research, discussion and communication skills, skills of doing in-depth analysis, comparing information, and making conclusions. It also develops the ability to respect other people's opinion, to interact and cooperate in process of joint work. These skills are very important for becoming a qualified specialist.

Such organization of classroom activity requires a lot of independent and individual work. A student takes on some independent study (investigation) of an academic subject, and works a lot on a one-to-one basis with a professor. A certain number of credits is earned by the student for such studies, and this number is usually greater than in a class course. Every independent study and most assignments in general are completed with submitting a paper. Checking and commenting on these papers is an important and time-consuming part of a teaching job. As such a great emphasis is made on out-of-class assignments, independent work, and preparation of different papers, every teacher holds office hours for individual meeting with students and guiding their work.

But there is one more form of teaching and learning that is distinct from the others because it is usually held outside the university. It is practical training. It means experience gained outside the classroom in private business, government offices, architectural firms, hospitals, factories, etc. This experience is usually gained as an integral part of doing assignments connected with some term projects.

Various quizzes, tests, and exams are also considered a way of learning. Small quizzes and tests are given regularly during the term. Exams and major tests are usually given in the middle and at the end of the term. It is on the basis of all the examination results, papers, laboratory reports, participation in classroom discussions, class attendance that the final grade is assigned to a student. The term grade is the most important evaluation of every student`s work. It is always reported to the institution's registrar for inclusion into a student's record.

Exercise 4Explain the following notions:

interactive classes; credits; office hours; practical training; term project; term grade, a paper.

Exercise 5Answer the questions:

1 What is the difference between lectures in American Universities and in this country?

2 What are the peculiarities of interactive classes? What skills do interactive classes develop?

3 Why do American students have so many written assignments?

4 How is a student’s progress assessed at American Universities? Is it done the same way in this country?

5 What is considered more important in American Universities: classwork or independent study?

6 How is a student`s progress checked?

Exercise 6Propose key-words to Text 1.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1084