Student Interaction

    We, as future educators, will need "... to meet the needs of diverse learners" (Lyman et al., 2015). We need to do our best to create a democratic classroom that will allow students to feel comfortable and supported. To do this, we can find many different teaching methods that will enable student interaction. Good methods for a democratic classroom would be cooperative and collaborative. 

    Teaching methods are an essential part of learning, and it would be best to apply different methods so that all students' needs are met. 

    Lecture is one method, and it is the most " … teacher controlled and direct approach to teaching" (Lyman et al., 2015). The purpose of this method is that teachers can present a large amount of information in a short time. The good thing about this method is that it is an excellent way to deliver large amounts of information at once, but it makes students bored and gives them less interaction. For new teachers, this method may be led by textbooks rather than personal experience, but you can add information and interaction with the students as time goes on. 

    Role plays, games, and simulations are more methods of teaching. Role-playing allows students to act out or play roles that can come from dialogue, moments in history, or even real-life situations. Games are another way, which is an excellent way to allow students to interact with specific situations. Social studies games, like the Oregon Trail, allow students to pick ways to make it across the Oregon Trail. Simulation is a mix of role-playing and games. 

    Small groups are another method of teaching. Small groups are a big idea because it "... is the embodiment of democracy in the classroom" (Lyman et al., 2015); you want to try and make these discussions more student-led than teacher-led, but you may have to start the conversation by asking questions. 

    Two small group methods would be collaborative and cooperative groups. Cooperative learning groups allow students to pick the groups they want to work with, or the teacher will choose randomly. Cooperative groups are selected by the teacher based on the students. Collaborative learning creates/promote positive interdependence, group processing, and individual accountability.

    Individualized instruction is the least direct approach and the most student-controlled. Lyman et al. state that "individualized instruction is the alignment of the school district's planned curriculum and instruction with the specific individual student's current achievement level and the teacher's and/or student's learning goals and/or desired outcomes" (2015).

    References
Lyman, L., Foyle, H. C., Waters, S., & Lyman, A. L. (2015). Teaching Social Studies in the 
    Elementary School: Communities, Connections, and Citizenship. National Social Science Press.