What Is The Demonstrator Teaching Style?
are the Authority, Facilitator, Delegator, Demonstrator, and Hybrid. They all have their advantages, and some have drawbacks as well. The Demonstrator Teaching style closely resembles the Authority style as they have a number of similarities.
When it comes to different styles of teaching, there are typically five main ones that are recognized. They are the Authority, Facilitator, Delegator, Demonstrator, and Hybrid. They all have their advantages, and some have drawbacks as well. The Demonstrator Teaching style closely resembles the Authority style as they have a number of similarities.
While teachers have their preferred style, children also have a preferred style that teaches them the best. Some children work best when the teacher stands up in front of the classroom for 50 straight minutes talking about one subject. They love to take notes and learn from them. Other children learn best when they are offered various things to observe. Whereas constant droning does nothing, a presentation or demonstration can do wonders. Styles make classrooms and classrooms make styles. The “Old School” approach (aka the Authority style) is quickly losing its luster, if it’s not already gone, so different styles need to be introduced.
THE DEMONSTRATOR TEACHING STYLE
The Demonstrator Teaching style is also known as the “coach style.” This style maintains the aura of authority, but it also brings in a variety of elements to help show students what they need to know. A Demonstrator teacher will at once be a lecturer. He or she prefers to stand up in front of the class and verbalize their lesson plan. They are never at a loss for words and if it wasn’t for the fact that they have prepared material to include with their lectures, they could easily be seen as using the Authority Teaching style.
As the Demonstrator makes their way through the lecture, they will have examples to display. This could be through multimedia presentations or activities or even demonstrations. You would probably find the Demonstrator Teaching Style best used in classes such as math, science, or music.
THE DEMONSTRATOR TEACHING STYLE PROS
It is not hard to see the benefits of this teaching style. Not only does a Demonstrator hold on to the authority role in the classroom, but they also can show students visually what they need to learn. Students will be given the opportunity to understand lectures through presentations. Many times, the entire lecture is through a presentation, which suits those students well who love the hands-on approach to learning.
Students who find themselves drawn to subjects such as music, where they can physically hold an instrument, will easily go for the Demonstrator Teaching Style. Likewise, those who have a knack for science will be very receptive to this style of teaching. The Demonstrator style is also fantastic for kids who have a love of art. This is most definitely a hands-on class and one where students benefit tremendously from a teacher who exhibits this style.
THE DEMONSTRATOR TEACHING STYLE CONS
While this style of teaching fits with subjects like math, physical education, art, and music, it is not a style well suited for all subjects. This is where the Demonstrator style turns into the Authority style. With the Demonstrator Teaching Style, interaction between teacher and student is limited at best, so being able to accommodate all students one on one impossible, especially given the size of some of today’s classrooms.
With the limited amount of time spent with students individually, things tend to slip between the cracks. Some students crave interaction and can only learn by asking questions important to them. The Demonstrator Teaching Style has interaction take a back seat.
DOES IT WORK THE BEST?
It goes without saying that teaching styles can either make or break a classroom and, more specifically, a student. Today’s generation of children is easily distracted, so engagement is key in the classroom. In that aspect, a Demonstrator Teaching Style could benefit. Giving students guidance through lectures and then backing it up with presentations or demonstrations could be the ticket to a well-balanced classroom.
But as seen, no one teaching style works for all teachers, students, or classroom subject matter. Teachers today must be able to adapt to what the students require. Therefore, teachers may find themselves using more of a Hybrid approach to their teaching style.
The Hybrid approach to teaching is a combination of all styles, including the demonstrator style, but where it differs is in its application. The focus here is more on the individual student and what makes them tick. Teachers tailor their instruction based on individual students and try to make classroom life simpler by catering to the styles that help kids learn best.
The bottom line is that teachers should first gauge their classroom, then tailor their instruction based on that. Although the Demonstrator Teaching style in some ways follows the Old School way of teaching, it offers enough change of pace to keep students entertained.
