Methods of teaching - Demonstration method
- 1. Demonstration Method By Dr. I. Uma Maheswari iuma_maheswari@yahoo.co.in
- 2. Demonstration Method This method includes the merits of lecture method and laboratory method. The teacher performs the experiment in the class and explains orally, what he does.
- 3. A demonstration means “showing:” Teachers, to illustrate some principle in Computer Science generally presents demonstrations. The teacher should also encourage pupils in small groups or alone.
- 4. Special functions of demonstrations Demonstrations may be used in several ways in teaching of Computer Science. 1. To solve a program 2. To explain, make clear by analysis. 3. To verify, substantial and review. (Reactions/input/output).
- 5. 4. To supply an application. (Day-to- day application) 5. To show methods and techniques. 6. To display objects and techniques. (Computers and its various parts and functions)
- 6. Advantages of demonstration This method is desirable 1. When the apparatus to be used is costly and unsuitable for juniors to handle. 2. When the apparatus is very sensitive and may be damaged by clumsy handling.
- 7. 3. When the experiment involves danger. (Power supply, UPS, etc.) 4. When economy, is desired in the matter of procuring large sets of apparatus of the same kind.(CD drive, CD Writer, etc.) 5. When a quick revision of the subject matter is desired.
- 8. Limitations of Demonstrations Demonstration technique, although quite effective for small children have the following limitation: 1. Visibility is always a problem in the classroom.
- 9. 2. There are no opportunities for pupil’s participation during demonstration. It is thus teacher-centred method of teaching. 3. Much scientific information can be grasped adequately by sight and sound alone. 4. A demonstration is apt to go such a rapid rate that pupils do not grasp each step.
- 10. Requisites of good demonstration The success of a demonstration depends upon a number of factors, which must be provided before the demonstration work is carried out. 1. A good lecture-cum-demonstration room is essential in which demonstration table is visible to all the pupils.
- 11. 2. Lighting must be sufficient. 3. If possible the pupil’s benches may be arranged in tiers. 4. The apparatus used for demonstration should be large in size.
- 12. 5. There should be enough spare apparatus in case one apparatus fails to work or breaks. 6. A big blackboard behind the demonstration bench is desirable in order to summarise the results of the experiment and to draw necessary sketches and diagrams.
- 13. 8. The teacher must repeat the experiment even though it is simple. 9. The teacher can also think of using audio-visual experiments (aids) along with the apparatus. 10. Time should be given on the major point in the demonstration and preferably written on the black board.
- 14. Planning a demonstration or criteria for a good demonstration For successful demonstration it is better if the teacher bears in mind the following points. The teacher must be convinced that demonstration technique is the best way to deal with a certain topic.
- 15. The purpose of demonstration should be made clear to the pupils. The awareness of objective of demonstration makes it more meaningful for the pupils. Otherwise they may see things but may not understand the meanings in them.
- 16. The purpose of demonstration should be told in advance. They should observe things carefully, exercise their reasoning and arrive at their own conclusions. The demonstration should be visible to whole class. Attention should be paid to the position of students, the size of apparatus and also lighting of the classroom.
- 17. The experiments should be well spaced throughout the lesson. There should not be any separate time allotted for demonstration. Only the simplest form of the apparatus should be used. There should be variety in demonstration.
- 18. New experiments other than those prescribed in the textbook should be preferred. An element of suspense is to be introduced during demonstration. When each item is required it is to be taken from the cupboard. The blackboard should be used properly during demonstration.
- 19. When each item is required it is to be taken from the cupboard. There should be pupil participation in the demonstration. Connecting the apparatus, inputting the data, getting the output can be done by the students. Many demonstrations / experiments should not done at the same time.
- 20. Each demonstration should be done at the right time. Demonstration should not be too long. An experiment, which lasts for a long time, will not sustain the interest of the students. The teacher must have the attention of the class.
- 21. Demonstration should be supplemented with other teaching aids to make it more real and interesting. Demonstration method is the least expensive of utilizing laboratory activities. But they cannot be substituted for individual practical work.
- 22. Practical work involves problem solving and results in new learning. It can be open-ended and can lead to further experimentations. In spite of the disadvantages, demonstration method is advocated when time and equipment are limited and the process is complicated or dangerous or difficult.
- 23. Demonstration starts with an exclamation mark where as experimental technique starts with a question mark. Demonstration is useful to show something science content oriented while experimental method stresses on process oriented science.
- 24. The method can be used in combination with other method of teaching quite frequently in our school conditions to get maximum possible results. The computer science teacher should create a dynamic functional relationship between demonstration and the laboratory work.
- 25. Often the demonstration will initiate the student’s individual experiments. Similarly the results of the laboratory study may culminate in a demonstration.