This is modern pedagogy in education
Education helps define modern civilizations. Its profound influence has shaped society. While the structure of formal schooling began in the 18th century, its journey has continued to evolve over the years, adapting to the changing landscapes of time and societal demands.
At the heart of this journey is teaching, a discipline continuously studied and reimagined to align with the demands of a population and its learners. A critical component of education is pedagogy – a comprehensive term encompassing the philosophy and values of teaching. It comprises a spectrum of elements, from understanding the most effective methods of student learning to crafting immersive and equitable learning experiences and environments for all.
Technology and modern pedagogy
Education is on the brink of transformative trends, with technology being the cornerstone of those shifts. Embracing these advancements in pedagogical practices has made students more receptive and nurtures a sense of ownership over their educational journey.
The ongoing progress suggests areas of untapped potential in the realm of education. Educators strive to refine these practices, ensuring students receive the benefits.
Essentially, the desire to improve pedagogy initiates educational trends and transformative perspectives.
5 emerging trends of modern pedagogy
Our world has significantly transformed, especially in the last 30 years, and this evolution seems to be accelerating. What is the driving force behind these changes and how do they interconnect?
Just like assembling pieces to a puzzle, one must consider the teacher, students, and the trending pedagogical methods to fully understand education. Let’s delve deeper into the art of teaching and explore the five emerging trends of modern pedagogy.
Gamification
According to Deterding, Dixon, Khaled, and Nacke (2011), gamification is defined as “the use of game design elements in non-game contexts.” Students benefit from this healthy competition as it enhances intrinsic motivation, bypassing the reliance on external rewards and ultimately boosting initiative and motivation.
This educational approach has pervaded classrooms for decades; from simple flashcard activities like Around the World to challenges like the Quiet Game, educators weave gaming elements and thinking into their lessons.
Adding gamification into teaching methodologies can show immediate advantages, proving rewarding for students and teachers. By stimulating engagement and active participation, gamification improves students’ academic performance and helps curtail inappropriate or disruptive behavior.
In an ever-evolving technological society where the needs of our students constantly shift, trends such as gamification can provide ongoing support to learners.
STEAM education
Makerspaces, shared areas where students can independently work or collaborate on personal projects, have proliferated in schools nationwide.
These spaces offer students the freedom to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) or STEAM (incorporating arts) topics in an unstructured environment, inspiring individuals to consider future careers in the sciences.
STEAM education empowers learners to embrace creativity and innovation, encouraging exploration through trial and error and deliberate decision-making. These spaces house an array of resources, from high-tech tools such as 3D printers and coding kits to traditional supplies like Legos®, K’nex®, and various arts and crafts materials, so students can nurture their imagination and bring their innovative ideas to life.
Personalized learning
Although this teaching methodology may seem straightforward, it has not been the standard approach until recently. Personalized learning was primarily reserved for students requiring extra assistance or those whose abilities were either above or below the average.
However, in recent years, educators have confronted the fact that no two students learn or think alike, rendering the traditional method of teaching to the middle ineffective. The introduction of services such as tutoring or tailored lessons based on analytical data has revolutionized classroom instruction.
Moreover, assisted by technology such as adaptive learning programs, personalized instruction now extends beyond the confines of students previously identified as needing such services. The implementation of personalized teaching methods has become more simplified for teachers, yielding advantages that extend to the entirety of the student population.
Social-emotional learning
Social-emotional learning (SEL) involves developing skills to understand and manage emotions, fostering positive relationships, and empowering students to make responsible decisions.
SEL is embraced by educators to foster inclusive classrooms, allowing every student to unlock their potential and evolve into their true selves. It signifies a mindset—a way of perceiving the world and one’s learning journey. Students develop resilience and begin to grasp the notion that dedication and hard work can pave the way for endless possibilities.
Teaching students effective and healthy ways to manage their emotions can significantly impact their school experience, leading to improved attendance and a more positive outlook on learning. Daily check-ins with students, instruction on how to disagree appropriately, and dedicating time to role-play various scenarios are pivotal for both a student’s well-being and academic achievement.
Blended learning
Before COVID, most parents and students held the belief that teaching should primarily occur within the classroom setting, with just a few worksheets sent home for students to review alongside their parents. Recently, blended learning – a hybrid approach combining both virtual and traditional learning – has gained widespread popularity and interest.
Integrating in-person instruction led by certified classroom teachers with virtual opportunities to extend learning offers many benefits to students. Blended learning strategies incorporate remote options, such as virtual office hours, encouraging students to connect with their teacher or a tutor promptly for immediate clarification on challenging concepts. It also includes in-person opportunities, such as discussions with peers, and facilitating collaboration.
Blended learning may also include innovative methods like a flipped classroom, where teachers assign online activities for students to complete before the following day’s class. This teaching method offers several advantages, including assignment flexibility, increased peer collaboration, and customized learning pathways.
Promethean leads the way in modern pedagogy methods
Promethean gives teachers tools that not only enhance their teaching practice but empower them to take fresh approaches to their pedagogy, transforming the way their students learn.
These cutting-edge tools have redefined the traditional classroom landscape, sparking a transformation in the way students engage and absorb knowledge. By maximizing Promethean’s resources, educators can infuse creativity and versatility into their teaching methodologies, thereby reimagining learning experiences.
Active learning
Promethean equips educators with the essential tools to enhance active participation within the classroom. Through Promethean’s fleet of ActivPanels, students engage in interactive learning via simulations and collaborative presentations.
Teachers can use software like ActivInspire to create flipcharts and use tools like timer, spotlight, and the revealer tool to create engaging lessons for their students.
With the Screen Share feature on the ActivPanel, students can have group discussions and present counter arguments to their peers, fostering a deeper understanding of a specific concept or topic. This versatile tool facilitates peer evaluation and offers timely feedback, regardless of the teacher’s location within the classroom.
Additionally, teachers can engage directly with the material by annotating content captured with a screenshot using the ActivPanel’s highly intuitive pen. Teachers can also utilize a variety of other Promethean tools, such as spinners, dice, rulers, protractors, and an endless supply of grid paper, to engage students across various subjects.
Technological integration
Improving pedagogical practices through technology empowers educators to address the diverse needs of all students. With ActivPanel, teachers gain the flexibility to tailor their teaching methods according to their students’ preferences and learning styles.
These interactive displays deliver vivid and crystal-clear images, captivating students as they embark on virtual field trips to historical sites or diverse countries. From conducting science experiments to simulations, the panel ensures that all students have an optimal view.
Promethean’s ActivPanels allow immersive technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to elevate learning experiences, letting students delve into unknown worlds like our solar system and comprehend complex concepts such as dissections through vivid visuals.
The utilization of AR and VR not only enhances student engagement but also aids in better retention and application of concepts within real-world contexts.
Collaborative and project-based learning
Promethean facilitates peer collaboration and supports project-based learning through its diverse features and integrated tools. Using Promethean’s ActivPanel, students can interact with content displayed simultaneously on a single screen, enabling idea sharing and presentations to classmates.
Screen sharing also lets students express their thoughts and perspectives during group discussions. This ensures sustained engagement while fostering a sense of inclusion where each student’s input is valued and acknowledged.
Cloud-based collaboration tools empower students to collaborate on shared projects regardless of physical location, promoting active participation even when students cannot physically be together.
By integrating these functionalities, Promethean cultivates a collaborative learning environment that nurtures teamwork, critical thinking, communication skills, and student engagement.
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