1

Key Features of Educational Methods

Method Core Idea / Definition Key Theorists Typical Activities / Examples Key Features for MCQs

Learners tackle real-world problems Focus on critical thinking,

Problem-Solving using logic, reasoning, and John Dewey, Case studies, puzzles, real-life
decision-making, solution
George Polya problem tasks
creativity. development

Discovery Students uncover knowledge Inquiry-based experiments,

Jerome Bruner, Emphasizes learner autonomy,
Learning themselves through exploration and guided discovery, open-ended
Jean Piaget constructivist foundation
inquiry. questions

Project-Based Students investigate and respond to

John Dewey, Fieldwork, model-making, Real-life application,
Learning complex questions through long-
David Kolb research-based projects interdisciplinary integration
term projects.
Challenges dominant ideologies,
Critical Pedagogy promotes social justice and Paulo Freire, Critical dialogues, social Power structures, consciousness-
Henry Giroux campaigns, action research raising, emancipation
empowerment.

Collaborative Lev Vygotsky,

Learning occurs via peer interaction Group discussions, team-based Social constructivism, shared
Learning Johnson &
and shared tasks. learning, peer assessment goals, peer feedback
Johnson

Constructivist Learners actively build their own

Jean Piaget, Lev Concept mapping, scaffolding, Emphasis on prior knowledge,
Learning understanding based on prior
Vygotsky hands-on tasks learner-centered approach
knowledge.

Reflective Learning enhanced through

John Dewey, Reflective journals, critical Reflection-in-action and on-
Teaching reflection on experience and self-
Donald Schön incidents, feedback loops action, self-awareness
assessment.

Lecture Method Traditional, teacher-centered B.F. Skinner, Oral lectures, note-taking, Efficient content delivery, passive
delivery of content. Robert Gagné quizzes reception, large groups
Demonstration Teacher models a skill or concept, Albert Bandura, Science experiments, skill Observational learning, modeling,
Method which students then imitate or apply. Dewey demos, simulations step-by-step guidance

Discussion Interactive dialogue to examine

Socrates, Socratic seminar, group Dialogic learning, idea exchange,
Method topics deeply through questions and
Vygotsky discussion, classroom debates critical thinking
responses.

Experiential Knowledge gained through direct, Experience-Reflection-

David Kolb, Kurt Internships, simulations, role-
Learning often physical or emotional, Conceptualization-Application
Lewin playing
experience. cycle
Combines traditional face-to-face
Blended Learning learning with digital/online Garrison & Online lectures + in-person Flexibility, learner control,
Anderson labs, hybrid modules technology integration
components.

ICT-Integrated Incorporates digital technology to LMS platforms, multimedia

Richard Mayer, Digital tools, multimedia learning
Learning enhance teaching-learning presentations, virtual
Seymour Papert theory
processes. simulations

Micro-teaching Focused, small-scale teaching Dwight Allen, 5–10-minute lessons, video Skill mastery, practice-teach-
practice with peer feedback. Donald Schön review, feedback loops reflect-improve cycle
Flipped Learners study content at home and Bergmann & Pre-recorded videos + in-class Inverts traditional instruction,
Classroom engage in active learning in class. Sams, Eric Mazur problem-solving promotes higher-order thinking
 2

Teaching Methods: Skills Developed & When to Use

Teaching Method Key Skills Developed Best For Developing Subject/Context Suitability

Problem-Solving Critical thinking, decision-making, Leadership, analytical

Math, science, management case studies
creativity skills

Discovery Learning Curiosity, independent research, problem- Science experiments, exploratory social
Self-directed learning
solving studies
Project-Based Teamwork, time management, practical Vocational subjects, interdisciplinary
Learning Project leadership
application topics
Critical Pedagogy Social awareness, ethical reasoning, debate Advocacy skills Social sciences, ethics, human rights
Collaborative Communication, conflict resolution,
Learning Team leadership Group assignments, language learning
cooperation
Constructivist
Learning Conceptual understanding, metacognition Adaptive thinking Abstract concepts (e.g., physics theories)

Reflective Teaching Teacher training, professional

Self-assessment, lifelong learning habits Emotional intelligence
development
Lecture Method Listening, note-taking, content mastery Foundational knowledge Theory-heavy subjects (e.g., history, law)
Demonstration
Method Observation, imitation, procedural skills Technical proficiency Lab work, arts, vocational training

Discussion Method Public speaking, perspective-taking,

Diplomatic leadership Literature, philosophy, ethics
reasoning

Experiential Learning Hands-on skills, adaptability, real-world Fieldwork, internships, business

Practical leadership
application simulations
Blended Learning Digital literacy, self-paced learning Tech adaptability Any subject with online resources
ICT-Integrated Tech skills, data analysis, multimedia
Learning Digital leadership Computer science, data-driven subjects
creation
Micro-teaching Teaching skills, feedback processing, clarity Instructional leadership Teacher training programs

Flipped Classroom Subjects needing pre-lecture review (e.g.,

Self-discipline, pre-class preparation Time management
math)

Key Takeaways:
1. Leadership Skills:
o Best methods: Project-Based Learning, Collaborative Learning, Experiential Learning.
2. Subject-Specific Recommendations:
o Science/Math: Problem-Solving, Discovery Learning
o Social Sciences: Critical Pedagogy, Discussion Method
o Vocational Training: Demonstration, Experiential Learning
3. Nepali Context Examples:
o Community Schools: Collaborative Learning (limited resources)
o University STEM: Flipped Classroom (pre-class videos)
 3

High-Yield Teaching Methods Summary (with MCQ Clues)

1. Problem-Solving Method 6. Constructivist Method
 Key Idea: Students analyze, plan, and solve real-world  Key Idea: Knowledge is actively constructed, not
problems. transmitted.
 Theorists: John Dewey (experiential learning), George  Theorists: Piaget (schemas), Vygotsky (scaffolding,
Polya (4-step process). social learning).
 MCQ Clues:  MCQ Clues:
o "Which method uses SWOT analysis and case o "Scaffolding is key to which theory?" →
studies?" → Problem-Solving Constructivism
o "Polya’s steps: Understand, Plan, Execute, o "Based on learners' prior knowledge." →
_____?" → Reflect Constructivist
2. Discovery Method 7. Reflective Method
 Key Idea: Students uncover concepts themselves via  Key Idea: Learners reflect on experience to gain deeper
exploration. insight.
 Theorists: Jerome Bruner (discovery), Jean Piaget  Theorists: John Dewey (reflective thinking), Donald
(constructivism). Schön.
 MCQ Clues:  MCQ Clues:
o "Teacher gives hints but no direct answers." → o "Gibbs’ cycle: Description, Feelings,
Discovery Evaluation, _____." → Analysis
o "Associated with inductive reasoning and o "A student journaling internship experiences."
heuristic learning." → Discovery → Reflective
3. Project Method 8. Lecture Method
 Key Idea: Hands-on, long-duration tasks integrating  Key Idea: Direct, teacher-centered content delivery.
theory and practice.  Theorists: B.F. Skinner (behaviorism), Robert Gagné.
 Theorists: John Dewey (learning by doing), W.H.  MCQ Clues:
Kilpatrick. o "Most scalable, least interactive method." →
 MCQ Clues: Lecture
o "Designing a marketing campaign for a o "Used for large groups to deliver content." →
business." → Project Lecture
o "'Learning by producing' relates to?" → 9. Demonstration Method
Project  Key Idea: Teacher shows how to do something; students
4. Critical Pedagogy observe.
 Key Idea: Fosters social justice; critiques inequality and  Theorists: Albert Bandura (modeling), Dewey.
oppression.  MCQ Clues:
 Theorists: Paulo Freire (Pedagogy of the Oppressed), o "Titration shown by teacher." →
Henry Giroux. Demonstration
 MCQ Clues:
o "Learning by watching an expert." →
o "Critiques power structures in education." → Demonstration
Critical Pedagogy 10. Discussion Method
o "Freire opposed the ‘_____ education’ model."  Key Idea: Dialogic learning through questioning and
→ Banking interaction.
5. Collaborative Learning  Theorists: Socrates (Socratic questioning), Vygotsky.
 Key Idea: Shared group learning; social interaction is  MCQ Clues:
key. o "Socratic seminar is part of which method?" →
 Theorists: Lev Vygotsky (ZPD), Johnson & Johnson. Discussion
 MCQ Clues:
o "Multiple viewpoints through dialogue." →
o "Positive interdependence" → Collaborative Discussion
o "Peer-based learning in small groups." →
Collaborative
 4

11. Experiential Learning �Final Exam Strategy: MCQ Keywords to Watch

 Key Idea: Learning from experience (Kolb’s cycle: 4 Keyword Likely Method
stages).
Social justice, oppression Critical Pedagogy
 Theorists: David Kolb, Kurt Lewin.
 MCQ Clues:
Learning by doing Project / Experiential
o "Internships, role plays, field trips." → Case study, SWOT, solution Problem-Solving
Experiential Prior knowledge, scaffolding Constructivist
o "Kolb’s stages: Concrete experience → Peer learning, group task Collaborative
_____?" → Reflective observation Journaling, reflection Reflective
12. Blended Learning
Teacher talking, passive Lecture
 Key Idea: Mixes online and face-to-face instruction.
 Theorists: Garrison & Anderson (Community of Modeling a process Demonstration
Inquiry). Asking questions, Socratic Discussion
 MCQ Clues: Internship, field trip Experiential
o "Moodle + classroom sessions." → Blended Online + offline Blended
o "Hybrid learning environment." → Blended LMS, simulation, Tableau ICT-Integrated
13. ICT-Integrated Learning
Short practice session Micro-teaching
 Key Idea: Uses technology for digital learning
experiences. Pre-class video, in-class case study Flipped Classroom
 Theorists: Richard Mayer (multimedia), Seymour Papert
(constructionism). Exam Tips for MCQs
 MCQ Clues: 1. Watch for keywords:
o "Use of LMS and multimedia tools." → ICT- o "Social justice" → Critical Pedagogy.
Integrated o "Learning by doing" → Project/Experiential Method.
o "Mayer’s principle: words + _____?" → o "Zone of Proximal Development"
Imagery (Dual-Coding Theory) → Collaborative/Constructivist.
14. Micro-teaching 2. Eliminate opposites:
 Key Idea: Short teaching sessions with feedback for skill o If the question describes student-centered learning,
development. eliminate Lecture Method.
 Theorists: Dwight Allen, Donald Schön. 3. Note limitations:
 MCQ Clues: o "Time-consuming" → Likely Project or Experiential Method.
o "10-minute teaching + feedback." → Micro- o "Requires technology" → Blended/ICT-Integrated/Flipped
teaching Classroom.
o "Used for developing _____?" → Teaching
skills Final Mnemonics
15. Flipped Classroom  "Dewey Delivers Practical Problems": Dewey → Problem-
 Key Idea: Students learn basics online; class time for Solving, Project, Experiential.
application.  "Vygotsky Values Social Constructs": Vygotsky →
 Theorists: Bergmann & Sams (flipped model), Eric Collaborative, Constructivist, Discussion.
Mazur (peer instruction).
 MCQ Clues:
o "Pre-recorded videos + class discussion." →
Flipped Classroom
o "Shifts remembering to homework, class for
higher-order tasks." → Flipped