Am going to be looking at three different types of teaching styles . These are the Command ,Reciprocal and Discovery/problem

The Reciprocal style allows the learner to become more involved as here the teacher/coach outlines a task and gives coaching points to highlight particular areas and common faults. This approach allows the coach and learners' to give individual feed back which can speed up the learning process and avoid boredom. The difficulty is quality of feed back from the learners which maybe incorrect or unhelpful. Sports/skills that would be good to be taught in this style would be: netball ( the running pass) ;triple jump this is because it is easier to know if you are travelling or doing it wrong if someone is watching you.

The Discovery and problem solving approach is where the teacher sets the task and the learners go and discover their own solutions for example basketball, dodging the opponent in order to get free to be able to do a lay up . This technique can be used in badminton when the student is learning how to do a set shot. Choices around this approach have to be thought about very carefully because of safety issues , ability, aptitude and age levels. The amount of teacher input is minimal compared to the command method this is because at a higher level you would become annoyed and wouldn't want to participate. However the teacher has to assess his input level carefully so that there is sufficient guidance for the learner to achieve success. If the learners are placed under too much pressure they may become over anxious (aroused) this can lead to inaccuracy and erratic decisions and poor performances. Under arousal can also lead to poor performance due to de-motivation and lack of care. This emphisises hbow important it is for the teacher to get guidene and pressure correct for each individual. This graph shows Mosston and Acworth's spectrum of styles of teaching (1986.) Points 1-10 show styles of teaching and the learners input.

.Style A Command - teacher makes all decisions

2.Style B Practice - Students carry out teacher-prescribed tasks

3.Style C Reciprocal - Students work in pairs: one performs, the other provides feedback

4.Style D Self-check - Students assess their own performance against criteria

5.Style E Inclusion - Teacher planned. Student monitors own work.

6.Style F Guided Discovery - Students solve teacher set movement problems with assistance

7.Style G Divergent - Students solve problems without assistance from the teacher

8.Style H Individual - Teacher determines content. Student plans the programme.

9.Style I Learner Initiated - Student plans own programme. Teacher is advisor.

0.Style J Self Teaching - Student takes full responsibility for the learning process.

In the above I have tried to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of each of the three approaches. Each has merits but careful choice is needed to match the appropriate style to the individual or groups being taught. It is the learners with all their variety of skill level, age, environment and attitude who must be the determinant off the style chosen to enable safe, swift and enjoyable learning to take place.

Bryony Sly

Pjk