Teaching Rhythms

The school year has a rhythm that teachers and students recognize.  Some classes have a weekly rhythm.  There are even daily rhythms.  Researchers have been able to detail the patterns that guide some of these rhythms.  And while these rhythms may lie just below our consciousness, they are powerful organizers of our educational relations.

By identifying the teacher's preferred instructional approach, it is possible to select teaching rhythms that organize classroom interactions to reach this goal.  Below are example of common teaching rhythms, organized according to teaching styles (based on Grasha's model of teaching styles).

Formal Authority Rhythms
The typical learning unit is outlined by a time schedule that organizes a sequence of topics to be addressed.  The general format of the sessions may be described as the presentation of materials with time for questions.  The usual assumption is that material can be addressed in a sequential pattern of  similar activities.

Demonstrator Rhythms
This approach organizes instruction around a series of steps that each require the performance of sets of skills in order to master.  The common rhythm involves modeling each step and require students to perform the skills before advancing to the next step.

Facilitator Rhythms
When the goal is to enhance students' learning abilities, the rhythms of the class move away from content.  Instead, they become marked by the stages of growth in learning skills.  These rhythms depend on the model of learning used by the instructor; although, in general, they can be mapped in terms of developmental or skill stages.

Delegator Rhythms
An instructor may have goals that involve how well the student incorporates the course material into their lives, with the aim being to transform and enhance students' life styles.  These rhythms must be responsive to students' prior experiences and connected to their future involvements.  Again, they rely on the model of personal development used by the teacher.

Formal Authority Rhythms
Facilitator Rhythms
Demonstrator Rhythms
Delegator Rhythms

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