Alternative learning often puts off many people. They think that this phrase means that students will be sitting in a meadow doing yoga or going to a museum ever day without ever learning in a structured classroom. Rather, alternative learning or teaching methods simply mean that the teacher and school are moving away from traditional teaching methods and are exploring other options. Here are a few suggestions for adding some alternative teaching methods into the classroom without having to shake up the foundation of the entire school.
1. Tactile learning: Think about the students who really need to touch and feel in order to process their learning. Teach math using building blocks. Teach science by bringing in animals or plants.
2. Different assessments: You don’t have to always give a multiple choice test for assessment. Think of having students write a story in English class or act out a play. Let them create a scene in an office where the person sitting behind the reception desk is talking to a character from the book. In history, they could put on a trial or write a treaty. In science they could conduct an experiment. These are great ways to assess student understanding and strengths without pen and paper.
3. Field trips: Take kids on more trips. Get them out of their chairs and into the museums, botanical gardens and other locations in your area where they can learn in a new way.
These are a few suggestions for helping children to blossom and grow without requiring them to sit behind desks all the time and learn with paper and pencils.