Teaching Methods
Guided Discovery
Each of the previous methodologies discussed within this paper do not engage students within operations and class functioning. Within these approaches students are ‘not required or induced; neither do they develop spontaneously’. In contrast, allowing individuals to discover the solutions to their own problems allows them to develop the skills and abilities needed to enquire, compare, invent, discover, reflect and draw subsequent conclusions regarding a variety of issues pertinent to that particular individual within that particular environment.
The intention of the guided discovery method is for teachers to formulate the underlying structure and content of their lessons in a manner that forces students to discover the answers to a range of problems for themselves. Within this particular methodology it is the role of the teacher to guide and facilitate student learning in order to allow student discovery as well as promote ongoing experimentation and participation.
Advantages
- It increases student critical awareness.
- Empowering students to discover their own answers allows them to control their learning, and therefore they will be more likely to retain information.
- Good for game play and tactical aspects of sports.
- The structure of drills force students to use teamwork and therefore fosters the others as part of the team”.
Disadvantages
- Students have little input into the planning and development of their lesson and therefore only the requirements of the teacher and the curriculum are addressed.
- Students can become dependent on guidance and direction to find answers.
