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Teaching Methods
This Month's Teaching Method:
Assignments
Students are asked to do some work outside of class to either reinforce a session's teaching or to prepare for an upcoming session.
In Choosing Teaching Methods consider your group factors:
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Group sizeTeacher Training Worksheet Based on These Group Factors:
Tips for Choosing & Using Methods
If the assignment involves only work outside of class, it can be used with any size group. If the assignment will include in-class reports by the students regarding the work they have done, then the optimal group size for this method is 10 or less. Larger groups could be divided into smaller groups for sharing. Or, you could keep the number of reports to only a few students.
Resources needed
What is needed will depend on the type of assignment. You may possibly need books, workbooks, Bibles, commentaries, concordances, videos, audio tapes, paper and pens.
Objective targeted
Assignments can be designed to accomplish a variety of objectives. Research assignments will target knowledge. Implementation of a lesson through a project of some sort will target behavior. Certain writing assignments could be reactionary and therefore target attitudes.
Use modeled
Biblical Precedence: In Mark 6:7-12 we read of Jesus sending the disciples out on an assignment. They had been sitting under His teaching and observing Him preach, teach, and heal the sick. Now it was time for them to implement what they had learned.
Following are examples of possible assignments: book report, group project, interview someone, keep a log/journal/diary, reactionary writing, listen to a tape, reading, observation, reflective thinking, research, review, service project, take an opinion poll, watch a video or TV program, workbook
Proximity of others
Closeness of other classes is not relevant as this method is done outside of class.
Finances needed
This method can be used without any cost. Assignments, however, may incur costs for books, workbooks, videos, tapes, or supplies for projects. If the church budget does not allow for the purchase of books or workbooks for each student, the cost may need to be passed on in full or part to the students.
Age level
This method is best used with upper elementary school age through adult. If used with younger grade school children, you should solicit the help of parents. Depending on the assignment, parental involvement may also be needed for older children as well.
Categorization
This method is expressional. If done as a group project, it will yield interactive communication.
Time required
The teacher determines how much time students will need to put into the assignment by the type of assignment chosen. The assignment itself will generally take little class time as it is done outside of class. However, if students report on what they have done, this method can use a lot of class time especially in larger classes.
Openness of group
Assignments, other than reading and workbooks, are not common methodology in the church setting and so could meet with some resistance. It may remind people too much of school. Sunday School and Bible study attendance is voluntary, unlike regular school. With that comes the concept that it should be easy and require little effort. Busy people may adversely react to one more thing to do. If your students are not used to this method, start slowly with small assignments and make the assignments as interesting as possible.
Room size
The size of the classroom is irrelevant as assignments are done outside of class.
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How To Use this Teaching Method.
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