DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TEACHING APPROACH,

TEACHING METHOD, TEACHING TECHNIQUE, AND

TEACHING STRATEGIES
Teaching Approach is like a description of how we go about teaching our
students. This description explains what we do when we teach.

The sorts of teaching and learning activities that we have planned (lecture,
tutorial, self-directed learning, case study, workshop, workplace learning);

Ways in which we try to engage students with the subject matter (provide
students with basic facts, relate new knowledge to what students already
know, build in interaction, be passionate, be enthusiastic);

The ways in which we support our students (encourage questions, set

formative assessments, provide constructive feedback

The mode or manner we are teaching is very important as well because in that way we
notice and measure our students improvement. Also we can know how to facilitate
learning (qualities of the teacher such as passion, principles for good teaching practice
such as providing timely and constructive feedback, putting educational theory into
practice.

Then, we have the Teaching method which comprises the principles and methods
used for instruction. Commonly used teaching methods may include class
participation, demonstration, recitation, memorization, or combinations of these.
The choice of teaching method or methods to be used depends largely on the
information or skill that is being taught, and it may also be influenced by the
aptitude and enthusiasm of the students.
If we compare the teaching approach and the teaching method, the difference is
that the teaching approach is like the form or way we teach, how we do it while
the teaching method is what kind of activities we use in order to teach.
Tell me, I forget, Show me, I remember, Involve me, I understand.
Teaching techniques are such steps we follow when we teach. For example, when we want to help
students learn the meaning of new vocabulary words we can use a teaching technique known as
Definition Clues. The process works as follows.
The teacher chooses a word and work in different steps.
STEP 1Give Definition Clue (an example of the word in a real situation)
STEP 3 - Give the actual definition of the word
STEP 4 - Ask students for the correct answer after each word.

We can easier teach any topic following steps, and it will help us to be more
organized and to facilitate and make funny our students learning process.
Finally, Teaching strategies are the methods we use to allow learners to access the
information we are teaching.
For example, we could read the information to them; we could display it

pictorially; we could allow them to research the information themselves; we could

present it as a PowerPoint presentation. We can use our creativity so as to make
every class interesting by using good strategies for teaching.
People learn in 3 main ways - visually, auditory and kinesthetically.
Visual learners learn by looking at/seeing something.
Auditory learners learn by hearing it/being told it.
Kinesthetic learners learn by actually doing/experiencing it.
Your teaching strategies should aim to include all types of learner.

Active Learning - Active Learning is anything that students do in a

classroom other than merely passively listening to an instructor's lecture.

Clicker Use in Class - Clickers enable instructors to rapidly collect and

summarize student responses to multiple-choice questions they ask of
students in class.

Collaborative/Cooperative Learning - Cooperative and collaborative

learning are instructional approaches in which students work together in
small groups to accomplish a common learning

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking is a collection of mental activities that

include the ability to intuit, clarify, reflect, connect, infer, and judge. It
brings these activities together and enables the student to question what
knowledge exists.

Discussion Strategies - Engaging students in discussion deepens their

learning and motivation by propelling them to develop their own views and
hear their own voices. A good environment for interaction is the first step
in encouraging students to talk.

Experiential Learning - Experiential learning is an approach to education

that focuses on "learning by doing," on the participant's subjective
experience. The role of the educator is to design "direct experiences" that
include preparatory and reflective exercises.

Games/Experiments/Simulations - Games, experiments and simulations

can be rich learning environments for students. Students today have
grown up playing games and using interactive tools such as the Internet,
phones, and other appliances. Games and simulations enable students to
solve real-world problems in a safe environment and enjoy themselves
while doing so.

Humor in the Classroom - Using humor in the classroom can enhance

student learning by improving understanding and retention.

Now, if we compare teaching techniques with teaching strategies, the difference

would be that teaching techniques are the steps we use in order to teach our
students in an organized way; moreover, It would help us to order better our
classes, while teaching strategies are methods we use to teach in order to
facilitate our students learning and also it heps us to teach in a more creative
way.

Below are 15 characteristics of a 21st-century teacher:

1. Learner-Centered Classroom and Personalized Instructions
As students have access to any information possible, there certainly is no need to "spoon-feed" the knowledge
or teach "one-size fits all" content. As students have different personalities, goals, and needs, offering
personalized instructions is not just possible but also desirable. When students are allowed to make their own
choices, they own their learning, increase intrinsic motivation, and put in more effort -- an ideal recipe for better
learning outcomes!
2. Students as Producers
Today's students have the latest and greatest tools, yet, the usage in many cases barely goes beyond
communicating with family and friends via chat, text, or calls. Even though students are now viewed as digital
natives, many are far from producing any digital content. While they do own expensive devices with capabilities
to produce blogs, infographics, books, how-to videos, and tutorials, just to name a few, in many classes, they
are still asked to turn those devices off and work with handouts and worksheets. Sadly, often times these
papers are simply thrown away once graded. Many students don't even want to do them, let alone keep or
return them later. When given a chance, students can produce beautiful and creative blogs, movies, or digital
stories that they feel proud of and share with others.
3. Learn New Technologies
In order to be able to offer students choices, having one's own hands-on experience and expertise will be
useful. Since technology keeps developing, learning a tool once and for all is not a option. The good news is
that new technologies are new for the novice and and experienced teachers alike, so everyone can jump in at
any time! I used a short-term subscription to www.lynda.com, which has many resources for learning new
technologies.

4. Go Global
Today's tools make it possible to learn about other countries and people first hand. Of course, textbooks are
still sufficient, yet, there is nothing like learning languages, cultures, and communication skills from actually
talking to people from other parts of the world.
It's a shame that with all the tools available, we still learn about other cultures, people, and events from the
media. Teaching students how to use the tools in their hands to "visit" any corner of this planet will hopefully
make us more knowledgable and sympathetic.
5. Be Smart and Use Smart Phones
Once again -- when students are encouraged to view their devices as valuable tools that support knowledge
(rather than distractions), they start using them as such. I remember my first years of teaching when I would not
allow cell phones in class and I'd try to explain every new vocabulary word or answer any question myself -something I would not even think of doing today!
I have learned that different students have different needs when it comes to help with new vocabulary or
questions; therefore, there is no need to waste time and explain something that perhaps only one or two
students would benefit from. Instead, teaching students to be independent and know how to find answers they
need makes the class a different environment!
I have seen positive changes ever since I started viewing students' devices as useful aid. In fact, sometimes I
even respond by saying "I don't know -- use Google and tell us all!" What a difference in their reactions and
outcomes!
6. Blog
I have written on the importance of both student and teacher blogging. Even my beginners of English could see
the value of writing for real audience and establishing their digital presence. To blog or not to blog should not be
a question any more!
7. Go Digital
Another important attribute is to go paperless -- organizing teaching resources and activities on one's own
website and integrating technology bring students learning experience to a different level. Sharing links and
offering digital discussions as opposed to a constant paper flow allows students to access and share class
resources in a more organized fashion.

8. Collaborate
Technology allows collaboration between teachers & students. Creating digital resources, presentations, and
projects together with other educators and students will make classroom activities resemble the real world.
Collaboration should go beyond sharing documents via e-mail or creating PowerPoint presentations. Many
great ideas never go beyond a conversation or paper copy, which is a great loss! Collaboration globally can
change our entire experience!
9. Use Twitter Chat
Participating in Twitter chat is the cheapest and most efficient way to organize one's own PD, share research
and ideas, and stay current with issues and updates in the field. We can grow professionally and expand our
knowledge as there is a great conversation happening every day, and going to conferences is no longer the
only way to meet others and build professional learning networks.
10. Connect
Connect with like-minded individuals. Again, today's tools allow us to connect anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Have a question for an expert or colleague? Simply connect via social media: follow, join, ask, or tell!
11. Project-Based Learning
As today's students have an access to authentic resources on the web, experts anywhere in the world, and
peers learning the same subject somewhere else, teaching with textbooks is very "20th-century" (when the
previously listed option were not available). Today's students should develop their own driving questions,
conduct their research, contact experts, and create final projects to share all using devices already in their
hands. All they need from their teacher is guidance!
12. Build Your Positive Digital Footprint
It might sound obvious, but it is for today's teachers to model how to appropriately use social media, how to
produce and publish valuable content, and how to create sharable resources. Even though it's true that
teachers are people, and they want to use social media and post their pictures and thoughts, we cannot ask
our students not to do inappropriate things online if we ourselves do it. Maintaining professional behavior both
in class and online will help build positive digital footprint and model appropriate actions for students.
13. Code

While this one might sound complicated, coding is nothing but today's literacy. As a pencil or pen were "the
tools" of the 20th-century, making it impossible to picture a teacher not capable to operate with it, today's
teacher must be able to operate with today's pen and pencil, i.e., computers. Coding is very interesting to learn
-- the feeling of writing a page with HTML is amazing! Even though I have ways to go, just like in every other
field, a step at a time can take go a long way. Again, lynda.com is a great resource to start with!
14. Innovate
I invite you to expand your teaching toolbox and try new ways you have not tried before, such as teaching with
social media or replacing textbooks with web resources. Not for the sake of tools but for the sake of students!

Ever since I started using TED talks and my own activities based on those videos, my students have been
giving a very different feedback. They love it! They love using Facebook for class discussions and
announcements. They appreciate novelty -- not the new tools, but the new, more productive and interesting
ways of using them.
15. Keep Learning
As new ways and new technology keep emerging, learning and adapting is e

ssential. The good news is: it's fun, and even 20 min a day will take you a long way!
As always, please share your vision in the comment area! Happy 21st-century teaching!