Teaching methods and resources
Research shows that when teachers move away from ‘transmission teaching’ and adopt active learning approaches, learners are more engaged, better motivated and acquire a deeper understanding.
The Teaching and Learning Programme has refined the term 'active learning' to embrace 10 key pedagogy approaches that we know can make a positive impact on the learners' experience. Find out how and why these approaches work in Effective teaching and learning where you will also find practical ideas to translate the theory into practice.
The resources in this section can stimulate discussion about which teaching methods and resources work well and an appreciation of the impact that they can have on learning. Use them to explore some of the challenges that teachers need to address when they adopt active learning approaches, including:
- planning for variety
- preparation with a focus on the learning process
- developing activities
- engaging learners in their learning
- assessment for learning.
For more in-depth information and ideas look at:
- Problem-based and project-based learning
- Using case studies
- Using role play
- Using resources and technology to enhance learning
Resources for teacher educators
- Getting the most out of these resources- no ratings (0 ratings) RateEffective teaching and learning – the 10 pedagogies - Web
- Engineering - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateLearning by doing: Getting started - Quicktime
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateTeaching so that learners learn - PDF
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateLearning by doing - PDF
- Learners’ views - Info
- Active teaching – active learning - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateWhat is active learning? - Web
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateChallenging learners - Web
- no ratings (0 ratings) RatePlanning and preparation - Quicktime MPEG
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateWhat is active learning? Information sheet - PDF
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateActive learning: Some underlying principles - PDF
- Cell processes - activities reinforcing learning - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RatePart 1 - Quicktime MPEG
- no ratings (0 ratings) RatePart 2 - Quicktime MPEG
- From passive to active learning: An example from mathematics - Info
- Active learning - Info
- Learning by doing - Info
- Target-defined and activity-defined schemes of work and session plans - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateTarget-defined and activity-defined schemes of work and session plans - PDF
- Planning for variety: Ideas to help - Info
- SHD Linking theory to practice: Confidentiality - Info
Technical information
Problem-based and project-based learning
Problem-based and project-based learning are experiential learning approaches offering two different ways to relate theory and practice.
- In problem-based learning, learners develop their understanding by addressing ‘real-life’ problems and use inductive logic to work from the concrete to the abstract. They use their experience and knowledge to develop concepts and theories.
- In project-based learning, learners start from theory and principles, and apply these to solve problems, using deductive logic.
In reality, most subjects need to be learned through a blend of both approaches. To find out how and why the approaches work, look at the Quick start guides on Experiential learning and Relating theory and practice.
Use the resources as part of a teacher education programme or other professional development to stimulate discussion and ideas about how these approaches can:
- engage learners with ‘real-life’ situations, for example in a work-related context
- promote team work and co-operative learning
- develop peer to peer teaching
- encourage deep understanding.
Resources for teacher educators
- Getting the most out of these resources- Engaging learners in their learning - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateLinear momentum part 1 - Quicktime
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateLinear momentum part 2 - Quicktime
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateLinear momentum part 3 - Quicktime
- Promoting discussion - Info
- Quick start guides - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateQuick start guide: Experiential learning - PDF Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateQuick start guide: Relating theory and practice - PDF Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateProject led learning - Info and Web
Technical information
Using case studies
Case studies offer an experiential learning method that helps learners to relate theory and practice and that also chimes particularly well with work-related learning.
In the video clips, learners and teachers reflect on their experiences of using a case study approach. Consider how teachers can use case studies to bring a subject or vocational area to life and embed a work-related dimension.
Case studies can also be used to provide a more immersive learning experience over a period of time. Watch the video Virtual work settings and consider the benefits to learners. How could this method improve learning in other subject or vocational areas?
These resources can help teachers to:
- understand how and why to use case studies
- design their own case studies
- prepare their learners to use case study approaches.
Resources for teacher educators
- Getting the most out of these resources- Case study planner - Info
- Developing learner activities - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateThe patient journey video - Web
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateVirtual work settings video - Web
- Case study toolkit - Info
Technical information
Using role play
Role play is a powerful experiential learning method. It is particularly valuable in providing opportunities for learners to experience situations that they may not have encountered and helps them to develop a range of skills in a relevant context.
Video clips include learners talking about the value of role play to consolidate their learning, and teachers reflecting on their experiences of undertaking a continuing professional development (CPD) session on role play and then using role play with learners. However, many teachers avoid role play because they fear that learners will not take it seriously or will find it threatening.
The resources include a CPD activity, a CPD builder and a ‘role play section’ in the Case study toolkit to help teachers to:
- build their confidence in using role play
- prepare themselves and their learners to use role play
- understand how the method can be used to complement the case study approach
- understand how role play activities enable differentiation.
Resources for teacher educators
- Getting the most out of these resources- Effective teaching and learning - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateCase study planner video - Info and Web
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateVirtual work settings video - Info and Web
- CPD builder: Using role play - Info
- CPD role play case study video - Info
- Modern Foreign Languages - Info
Technical information
Using resources and technology to enhance learning
Active learning can initially seem daunting and time-consuming in view of the range of approaches and activities required. However, experimenting and collaborating with colleagues opens up a rich variety of opportunities – and you can also get your learners actively involved in developing resources of their own as they learn!
This section includes a variety of ideas for activities that can be contextualised for other subject or vocational areas. Some activities demonstrate how teachers have used technology to enhance learning and suggest ideas for others to use or adapt. For more information relating to the use of technology for learning, look at the eCPD Programme’s developing website.
Videos include a teacher and his learners talking about how adapting and using a flow chart supports learning. In another video, learners are creating learning resources for peers. As you watch consider the following questions:
- What were the advantages for the teachers?
- How did the learners benefit?
Other resources illustrate the rich mix of ideas and activities from the Teaching and Learning Programme. Consider how each approach or activity can be contextualised or adapted to work in other subject or vocational areas.
Choosing and using resources that match individuals' reading levels is a particularly important part of the teacher’s role. The resource Supporting Skills for Life: Using readability can help you to assess the suitability of the learning resources that you already use and those that you plan to create yourself. It also considers simple ways to support learners as they develop their literacy skills. Teachers might use these ideas with colleagues to develop banks of differentiated resources.
Resources for teacher educators
- Getting the most out of these resources- Adapting resources - Info
- Cell processes - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateVideo part 1 - Quicktime MPEG
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateVideo part 2 - Quicktime MPEG
- Developing a teaching toolkit - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateFacilitator guidance - Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateIdeas for a teaching toolkit - Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateDomino template - PDF Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateInstant inspirations - Info
- Supporting Skills for Life: Using readability - Info
- Spot the skills - Info
- Work experience: Spot the skills PowerPoint with embedded videos - PPT
(1 ratings) Rate - Activity - PDF (1 ratings) Rate
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateCard set - PDF
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateSession plan - Word
- Fair play - Info
- Information Technology - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RatePlanning for relevance: How ICT tutors can make learning relevant - Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateHandout: Mind map - cookery - Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateInterest cards - Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RatePrompt questions for facilitator - Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateHandout: Blank map - Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RatePlanning for relevance: Interactive tool - Web
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateE-learning and e-assessment - Info and Web
- Technology and the expert learner: Videos - Info and Web
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateThe learning challenge: Guidelines for the collaborative activity - PDF Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateInterview with Professor Stephen Heppell - PDF Word
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateCase study: Oaklands College, St Albans - PDF Word
- Gaining from technology - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateGaining from technology - PDF
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateAnnotating images - Info and Web
- Creating your own video wall using Microsoft PowerPoint - Info
- no ratings (0 ratings) RateMultimedia resource library - Info and Web
Technical information
