Week 4, September 19, Teaching Styles methods and models tools, critical thinking, active learning problem based learning evidence based learning, motivation

In reading chapters 6 and 12, the focus is on critical thinking and how to teach this.  Librarians
can help researchers choose and use the right information tools.  Critical thinking is needed when you retrieve information.  Active learning can help teach information literacy and technology literacy for web based and social networking tools.  Learner centered teaching can make a teacher more effective.  Learners must be engaged and interested and the teacher has to have the student’s attention which usually requires change. 

In class we discussed two types of teaching; teacher focused and learner centered.  It is best to use a variety of methods such as mixing lecture with group activities to remain interesting.  Teaching models include formal authority which is teacher centered lecture, demonstrator where teachers outline step by step, facilitator of activity and participation with active learning and creative thinking, and the delegator that gives students the freedom to choose the project with self-assessment.  I like the learner centered approach and motivating students is always a challenge for teachers to keep new and fresh.