Flexible Teaching Basics
An increasingly popular teaching strategy in schools, this type of teaching means students can explore the learning material in different ways. As a result, they enjoy more ownership over the content and thus want to learn more. Flexible teachers understand that not all individuals learn at the same pace, so a curriculum should be tailored to each student as well as how they learn best. The reasons behind this type of teaching vary; some think it can help students who are struggling with a subject and want to learn through more hands-on work, while others, who may have had bad experiences in school, think it removes the anxiety of an unsure task or course.
What is Flexible Teaching?
This type of teaching is an approach to both teaching and curriculum design that acknowledges the changing needs of learners in a rapidly changing world. Its approaches differ from subject matter focus to learner-focused.
The benefits of this type of teaching are clear from the start – it engages learners, recognizes different learning paths, reinforces cultural and academic diversity, and allows for increasingly diverse strategies for ensuring student success. This type of teaching suggests lacunae in how the industry of higher education has been taught, from the smallest of units to the largest of programs.
Flexible learning is growing in popularity as educators take a more inclusive approach to teaching and learning. Flexible learning extends the traditional notion of subject matter focus and content delivery to embrace any number of skills, topics, or approaches that learners need to learn. Flexible learning supports pedagogical practices where teachers forge links between content and context, such as “hybrid teaching”. This approach allows students to move among and between multiple resources, texts, and tools. A growing body of research supports the benefits of flexible approaches to teaching.
This type of teaching is not new. It is a form of comprehensive education that has been around for at least 100 years. In the 19th century, proponents argued for a more “holistic” approach to education in which teachers would educate the whole student and not just focus on the traditional three Rs. In the 20th century, philosophers and educators who embraced holistic education began to argue for a shift from teaching facts and information to teaching students how to learn. The idea of “learning how to learn” was particularly appealing during times when there seemed to be an explosion of information in every field.
This type of teaching started as an idea that educators would adapt in various ways throughout the 20th century, depending on the educational philosophy, age cohort, or historical context. In the 1960s, “open education” emerged within progressive education circles.
Why is it important?
The education world is changing and there is a growing demand for educational reform, particularly when it comes to addressing issues related to the quality of instruction. This type of teaching, for example, promotes personalized learning and allows students to learn in ways that are most effective for them. In addition, it encourages teachers to “think outside the box”, which is key to providing an innovative approach that can meet today’s diverse needs in a group of students. It differs from “traditional” teaching in that it focuses on the student’s individual needs and learning styles. In contrast, traditional teaching is teacher-centered, content-oriented, and follows a set curriculum format.
Qualities of a Flexible Teacher
Flexible teachers are innovative thinkers and can design instruction that captures the interest of diverse learners. They appreciate cultural and individual differences and use their knowledge, intuition, and creativity to adapt their teaching style to meet the needs of their students.
Flexible teachers are also flexible in different contexts. They can move from task-oriented, activity-based learning to project-based or inquiry-based learning or any combination of these methods depending on the needs of their students. They are creative and sensitive to their student’s needs and the needs of the organization.
Traditional teaching is teacher-centered and thinks of teaching as a process designed for educating students. In contrast, flexible teachers are student-centered and give students more control over their learning by providing them with the space to explore their interests and possibilities.
Flexible teachers are informed by research in the field of education. They are aware of current research on effective teaching methods, pedagogies, and approaches that can be effectively used to educate diverse learners.
Flexible teachers are also aware of their student’s disciplinary and cultural backgrounds and consider this as they design and deliver instruction. They can create a learning environment that addresses the needs of all students, including those in special education.
Flexible teachers embrace a holistic approach to education, which recognizes the importance of the individual learner. A flexible teacher knows each student has his or her learning style and therefore designs lessons that meet their needs on multiple levels. For example, flexible teachers can use different practices such as inquiry learning, group work, project-based learning, or technology-based learning depending on the needs of their students.
Flexible teachers are also willing to explore different instructional materials and strategies to meet their students’ needs. They are not tied to traditional methods of instruction that educational institutions have developed. They are not limited to the traditional model of instruction adopted by most schools and educational institutions.
In a 2010 study, researchers in the United States examined empirical studies about flexible teaching styles, using a holistic definition of this type of teaching as well as the flexibility described by other authors. They identified 43 empirical studies that included at least one study about an instructor using flexible learning strategies with students. They looked at studies from the United States, Europe, and Asia and found a range of different approaches to this type of teaching.
Flexible Teaching Strategies
This type of teaching has been described in various ways. All these approaches share the idea of students working together to determine their own learning pace.
Example #1
Using an activity-based approach, students work together to generate ideas and decide on the best way to proceed. For example, students might create questions, use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to develop their strategies, and then share their ideas with the class. This type of activity-based approach can be used for instruction in individualized and small groups. It allows students to work independently at times and work together at other times based on the group’s needs or the student’s ability.
Example #2
Flexible instruction also allows students to work at their own pace. This can be done by providing them with different learning activities, such as team-based learning, where students are divided into groups based on individual learning needs and levels. For example, a teacher might create an assignment in which students are divided into small teams based on their strengths and weaknesses. Students might complete an assignment individually or together within their team.
Example #3
Flexible instruction also allows students to work at their own pace by providing them with different ways of working. For example, a teacher might create an assignment in which students are required to develop new strategies and problems similar to those faced by others. In this way, the students can use the class time as needed to begin developing strategies on how best to approach the task.
Elements of Flexible Teaching
Flexible Schedules
Teachers who are flexible in how they schedule their class time can address the needs of students from diverse cultural, socio-economic, and linguistic backgrounds. Flexible schedules vary from teacher to teacher and their organizations, but offering flexibility in class times is a good way for organizations to meet the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
Many organizations are discovering that to attract a diverse workforce, they must be flexible with their class times. Flexible schedules allow students to take classes at the most convenient time, which can be important for student retention and graduation rates.
Flexible schedules can be used in a variety of ways:
-Teachers can adapt the class times they offer to meet the needs of their students. For example, instructors can offer weekend classes so students who work during the week can attend school on Friday or Saturday.
-Teachers can also use their own time to meet with students after class hours. For example, a teacher might permit students to study in his or her office, or a student and teacher might meet for coffee in the evening after class. Or the teacher could keep a key to the school’s computer lab and allow students to practice late into the night when no one else is around.
Flexible schedules are also important for the success of teachers who work part-time or need to be available on short notice for overnight calls. For example, a teacher who works during the week can use his or her downtime to meet with students after class hours or in the evening.
Flexible Curriculum
Flexible curriculum refers to the ability of teachers to select activities or instruction that best meet the needs of their students. Flexible curricula can be used by teachers who have a traditional curriculum they are using in their classes, or they can choose to develop new activities and content based on the needs of their students. This type of curriculum often includes new learning strategies appropriate for students of different ages and skill levels.
In some cases, teaching is a complex process involving evaluation, planning, and adaptation. In other cases, teaching involves a simple or routine process. For example, a teacher might use a rote textbook. The teacher’s teaching style can be defined as “simple” if the most important issue is preparing students for life after high school, and “routine” if the focus is simply on communicating information and ideas to students in an organized sequence.
A flexible curriculum allows teachers to use relevant and interesting materials for their students at different stages of learners’ development. In essence, a flexible curriculum allows teachers to tailor their lessons to fit their students’ needs and allows them to adapt their teaching methods to individual needs within a class.
Flexible Teaching Mindset
This teaching mindset has been described as “flexible attitudes, flexible behaviours, and flexible strategies”. In some cases, this means that teachers have to change how they do things to meet their students’ needs best. The mindset can also be used to refer to a teacher’s ability or willingness to make changes.
For example, successful teachers are willing and able to examine how they teach and make adjustments when necessary. This is important because it allows a teacher to be flexible in his or her approach, and it also enables a teacher to address the individual needs of students who may be at different levels of development.
A key element that teachers need to understand when using this teaching mindset is that they must be willing and able to change their teaching style based on their students’ needs.
Flexibility is a skill that requires teachers to constantly re-evaluate situations and make adjustments as needed. By examining their teaching and making adjustments as needed, teachers can be more successful in meeting the needs of their students.
Flexible Learning
Flexible learning refers to the ability of teachers to select activities and instruction that best meet the needs of their students. Flexible learning can be used by teachers who have a traditional curriculum they are using in their classes, or they can choose to develop new activities and content based on the needs of their students.
Flexible Teaching FAQ
How do teachers demonstrate flexibility?
The best way to demonstrate flexibility is to talk with students interested in what you teach.
Why is adaptability important in teaching?
Adaptability is important in teaching because it allows a teacher to serve students effectively and develop the most effective strategies to address the individual needs of individual students.
Why is flexibility important in teaching?
Flexibility is important in teaching because it allows a teacher to be easily adaptable and flexible to a variety of different learning styles or needs.
What are examples of flexible teaching methodology?
This teaching methodology can include classroom management, learning styles, and student engagement.
These types of teaching and learning are important aspects of contemporary education. Education today must go beyond the traditional attitude and approaches used in the past. Adapting teaching styles to reflect flexibility will allow teachers to be responsive and effective in their efforts to meet the diverse needs of students.
