What do I want to know?

Sourcing Literature/Literature Review 

I have gone back to creating a list about what do I want to know from my Inquiry? What information do I want to gain from this? I have to remind myself it is not about finding an answer but about gaining information and valuable learning experiences.

So far I am currently exploring what is 'good' and what is a 'teacher'?  I am also exploring what makes a good teacher from other peoples perspectives- personality qualities, personal experiences etc. Taking a step away from my question I would like to explore different teaching styles and different teaching methods. This would benefit my inquiry for when I am observing teachers I will be able to identify clear styles/methods. This will not only benefit my inquiry but my professional practice. Gaining this knowledge will help me to determine my style and method of teaching. I would also like to be able to look into particular practitioners I am hoping this research will provide me with an avenue to even more literature. 

Teaching Styles 
This website breaks teaching styles in to two key approaches and other teaching theories fall into this- https://blog.udemy.com/teaching-styles/

Teacher-Centred Approach 
"The main focus behind the teacher-centered approach is the idea that the teacher is the main authority figure. The students are simply there to learn through lectures and direct instruction, and the focus is mainly on passing tests and assessments. A teachers’ role in this approach is to pass on the knowledge and information needed to their students."- (Web, 2017 )- https://blog.udemy.com/teaching-styles/

-Direct Instruction
-Formal Authority 
- Expert
-Personal Model 

- https://teach.com/what/teachers-teach/teaching-methods/

Student-Centred Approach
"In this approach, the teacher is still the authority figure, but the student plays an active role in what is learned. The idea is that the teacher will advise and guide the students down a learning path. Assessment involves informal and formal methods – tests, group projects, portfolios, and class participation. The teacher continues to assess a student’s learning even throughout the lesson. The students are learning the information the teacher is giving, and the teacher is learning how best to approach his students. There are two subcategories in this approach – inquiry-based learning and cooperative learning."- (Web,2017) - https://blog.udemy.com/teaching-styles/

Inquiry-based - Subcatorgory 
-Facilitator
-Delegator

-https://teach.com/what/teachers-teach/teaching-methods/

Cooperative Learning - Subcategory
-Facilitator
-Delegator 

https://teach.com/what/teachers-teach/teaching-methods/

Student-Centred Theorist 

Carl Rogers 
"Theorists like John Dewey, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotsky, whose collective work focused on how students learn, have informed the move to student-centered learning. Carl Rogers' ideas about the formation of the individual also contributed to student-centered learning. Rogers wrote that "the only learning which significantly influences behavior [and education] is self discovered".^[8] Maria Montessori was also a forerunner of student-centered learning, where preschool children learn through independent self-directed interaction with previously presented activities."- Web, 2017 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student-centred_learning

"Your teaching style says something about you. It’s based on your values toward education and the philosophy you hold about education. Knowing how your students learn can also play a key role in your teaching style. If you can discover your teaching style early on in your  career, both you and your students will be better off for it. You will know exactly what your teaching preferences are and know just how to reach your students’ learning preferences."- (Web,2017) - https://blog.udemy.com/teaching-styles/

I have found all of this literature incredibly informative. From looking at this literature I can say that my approach is student-centred. I feel strongly that this style is most suited to a Primary education environment where you are not only teaching the students the subjects but teaching them a LOVE of learning and HOW to learn. This style suits the different learners that you will have in the class. I can now look out for these different styles during my observation period. 

I am focusing more on Primary Education but my current practise is in primary schools teaching dance and gymnastic which falls under Physical Education. I had a look to see if teaching styles are different for PE educators. In the image below you can see the variety of styles are vast, this image also give you a PE example which is incredibly helpful. From this image I can see that I use a variety of styles whilst teaching depending on the class that I have. My main styles are, practice, learner initiated, inclusion, guided discovery and self-check. You can see similarities between the PE styles and Classroom styles however they have been adapted to suit their environment and subjects. 

Web, 2017- http://www.spectrumofteachingstyles.org/pdfs/literature/TeachingStyles%20inPEandMosstonsSpectrum.pdf

Comparison 
This article compares the two different approached and talks about the pros and the cons of both styles- http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/which-is-best-teacher-centered-or-student-centered-education/
The article talks about how most teachers use the student-centred approach however you should use a mix of the two so students can enjoy the positives of both styles of education. 


Teaching Methods 
Looking at teaching methods I am coming across a lot of literature talking about highly effective teaching practices and teaching techniques. The styles and methods cross over a lot and methods doesn't seem to be as clear cut as the styles. However, I have pulled some information from looking into methods going back to the basics of what is a teaching method?  

What is a teaching method? 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teaching_method

Methods of Instruction 
- Lecturing
- Demonstration
- Collaboration
- Classroom Discussion 
- Debriefing 
- Classroom Action Research 

Effective teaching practices
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-highly-effective-teaching-practices-rebecca-alber
- Teacher Carity 
-Classroom Discussion
-Feedback
-Formative Assessment
-Metcongitive Strategies

My research is no where near done I feel I have just scrapped the surface into teaching styles and methods. Although the web has been great to source information I feel I need to go to the library and source theorist of Centre/Teacher styles and methods. I would also like to look into the history of teaching methods. 


Bibliography 
https://blog.udemy.com/teaching-styles/

http://www.spectrumofteachingstyles.org/pdfs/literature/TeachingStyles%20inPEandMosstonsSpectrum.pdf

http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/which-is-best-teacher-centered-or-student-centered-education/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student-centred_learning

http://www.mun.ca/educ/ed4361/virtual_academy/campus_a/dykek/page7.html

https://teach.com/what/teachers-teach/teaching-methods/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teaching_method

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-highly-effective-teaching-practices-rebecca-alber