What is a research teaching method? This is nothing more than the organization of cognitive and search activities of students, which is carried out when the teacher sets various tasks. Moreover, all of them require a creative, independent solution from children.
The essence of the research method of teaching is due to its main functions. With its help, the organization of creative search and application of knowledge is carried out. Moreover, in the process of activity, science is mastered, and interest and the need for self-education and creative activity are also formed.
The essence of the method
Applied in pedagogy research in the learning process began more than a century and a half ago. The essence of this method implies the following:
- observation followed by questions;
- making presumptive decisions;
- the study of the available conclusions and the choice of all only one as the most probable;
- additional verification of the hypothesis put forward and its final approval.
Therefore, the research teaching method is a way of inference when obtaining concrete facts during independent observation and study of objects by schoolchildren.
Work objectives
The research teaching method assumes that students independently go through all stages of the experiment, up to an analysis of the results.
Among the goals pursued in this case by the teacher, is the need:
- introducing students to the process of obtaining new knowledge;
- mastering by children of non-standard forms of cognitive activity;
- training in the use of practical materials, monographic, educational and normative literature, statistical data, as well as the Internet;
- developing skills in working with a computer and its main programs;
- in providing schoolchildren with the opportunity to make public speeches, enter into polemics, bringing to the audience their point of view and reasonably inciting the audience to accept the ideas put forward.
Among the main goals of using the research method of teaching is also the development of the following skills in children:
- finding and formulating a scientific problem;
- actualization of contradictions;
- definition of the object, as well as the subject of the study;
- hypotheses;
- planning and conducting an experiment;
- hypothesis testing;
- wording of conclusions;
- determining the boundaries and areas of application of the results obtained during the study.
Characteristic signs
When using the research method of teaching in the lessons, the following occurs:
- The teacher, together with the students, formulates the problem.
- New knowledge is not communicated to students. Students will receive them on their own during the study of the problem. Their task also includes comparing a variety of answer options and identifying those tools that will achieve the desired result.
- The teacher’s activity mainly involves the operational management of the process that is carried out when solving problem problems.
- The acquisition of new knowledge occurs with high intensity and with increased interest. In this case, the subject is known deeply and firmly enough.
The research teaching method involves the implementation of observation processes and the search for conclusions while working with a book, performing written exercises, as well as laboratory and practical work.
A variety of active ways to gain knowledge
In the learning process there is a constant interconnected activity of the teacher and students. Its implementation is possible using a certain method or method of obtaining knowledge.
Pedagogical science knows for certain that the development of a student is impossible without its inclusion in independent activity, which involves solving the problems posed to the child. It is this task that the research and heuristic teaching methods perform, which suggest the exploratory nature of the work of children. The ability to carry out such activities is considered within a fairly wide range, divided into the following areas:
- problem statement;
- active methods;
- design methods, etc.
Problem-search training
The research activity of students in a modern school is one of the most effective methods. It contributes to the development of children's creative abilities, activity and independence.
One of the methods of the research teaching method is the use of its problem-search form. In this case, students are encouraged to become discoverers gaining new knowledge in one or another subject. This becomes possible in the case of such an organization of the educational process, when the pedagogical situation created in the lesson requires a logical assessment of the tasks set by the children and an intellectual search for solutions with the adoption of the most balanced and justified of them.
Basic tricks
With problematic and exploratory research teaching methods, all student activity is aimed at acquiring new knowledge.
In order to use this direction, the teacher poses practical tasks for students.
The methods of the research teaching method in this case are as follows:
- Creating a problematic situation.
- Organization of joint discussion of the best options for its resolution.
- Choosing the most rational way to solve the existing problem.
- Summarizing the data.
- Statement of conclusions.
A research research teaching method can be organized at any stage of schoolwork. In this case, the teacher needs to form the intrinsic motivation of the child.
Based on the level of thinking of students of different age categories, in this case, various techniques of the research teaching method can be used. Among them:
- Inductive inference. It has a direct relationship with observation and comparison, analysis and identification of patterns, which should subsequently be generalized. Inductive inference allows students to develop logical thinking, and also activates the cognitive direction of educational activity.
- Problem statement. This technique is the next step towards research.
- Partial search. This technique involves students receiving questions with a further search for answers to them or completing tasks of a search nature.
The main purpose and purpose of the problem-research method of teaching is to overcome the mechanical assimilation of knowledge and the activation of the mental activity of children. Creating a problematic situation initiated by the teacher when posing a specific question or issuing a task serves as an impetus for finding a way out of it.
Research Learning Levels
Finding answers to the questions posed by the teacher, the children reason, analyze, compare and draw conclusions, which allows them to form strong independent work skills.
With the research teaching method, three levels of such activity can be used:
- The teacher poses a problem for students and at the same time outlines a methodology for solving it. Students are looking for an answer either on their own or under the direct supervision of a teacher.
- The problem is posed by the student. The teacher provides assistance in solving it. In this case, a collective or group search of the answer is often used.
- The problem is posed and solved by the student on his own.
Conducting research activities with the problem-search method of teaching allows children to be in the educational process in an active position. It involves not just the assimilation of the knowledge that the teacher presents to the students, but their independent acquisition.
Active learning
By this acquisition of knowledge is meant the methods by which students are motivated to think and practice to master the learning material. In this case, the teacher also does not present the ready-made knowledge for their memorization and further reproduction. It encourages students to independently acquire skills during their practical and mental activities.
Active teaching methods are characterized by the fact that they are based on motivation to acquire knowledge, without which it is impossible to move forward. Similar pedagogical methods arose due to the fact that society began to pose new challenges to the educational system. Today, schools should ensure the formation of youth cognitive abilities and interests, creative thinking, as well as skills and abilities for independent work. The appearance of such tasks was the result of the rapid development of the information flow. And if in former times the knowledge gained in the education system could serve people for a long time, now it requires constant updating.
The research method of active learning has various forms. Among them:
- Analysis of specific situations. This form of training allows you to develop the ability to analyze a specific problem. When confronted with her, the student must determine her main question.
- Role-playing. Most often, such a research method of training is used in preschool education. This is a game mode of active learning. When using it, tasks are set and specific roles are distributed between the participants, their interaction, the teacher’s conclusion and the assessment of results.
- Workshop discussion. A similar method is usually used for high school students. At such seminars, students learn to accurately express their thoughts during speeches and reports, actively defend their own point of view, reasoned objection and refutation of the opponent’s erroneous position. A similar method allows the student to build a certain activity. This leads to an increase in the level of his personal and intellectual activity, as well as his involvement in the processes of educational knowledge.
- Round table. A similar method of active learning is used to consolidate the knowledge that was obtained by children earlier. In addition, conducting round tables allows students to get additional information, learn how to conduct cultural conversation and develop the ability to solve problems. A characteristic feature of this method is the combination of thematic discussions with group consultation.
- Brainstorm. A similar method is widely used to solve practical and scientific problems, as well as to produce new interesting ideas. The goal of the brainstorming session is to organize collective activities aimed at finding innovative ways to solve the problem. This method allows schoolchildren to creatively learn educational material, to discover the connection between theory and practice, to intensify their educational and cognitive activity, to form the ability to concentrate attention, as well as direct mental efforts toward solving a problem.
Design method
Such a pedagogical method is understood as such an organization of learning activity, the result of which is expressed in obtaining a certain product. Moreover, such educational technology involves a close connection with life practice.
The project method is a research teaching method. It allows you to create specific skills in children, knowledge and skills due to the systematic organization of educational research, which has a problem-oriented nature. When using the project method, the student joins in the cognitive process, independently formulates the problem, selects the necessary information, develops options for solving it, draws the necessary conclusions and analyzes his own activities. Thus, the student gradually develops experience (both educational and life).
Recently, the project method has been increasingly used in the education system. It allows you to:
- Not only to transfer to students a certain amount of knowledge, but also to learn to acquire it independently, as well as to use it in the future.
- Receive communication skills. In this case, the child learns to work in a group, playing the role of a mediator, performer, leader, etc.
- To get acquainted with different points of view on a particular problem and acquire wide human contacts.
- Improve the ability to use research methods, collect facts and information, and analyze data when they are examined from various points of view, putting forward hypotheses and drawing conclusions and conclusions.
When acquiring the skills described above, the student becomes more adapted to life, able to adapt to changing conditions and navigate in a variety of situations.
In the literal translation from Latin, the project is “thrown forward”. That is, it is a prototype or logo of a particular type of activity or object. The word “project” means a proposal, plan, pre-written text of a document, etc. But if this term is attributed to educational activities, then it means a whole range of research, search, graphic, calculation and other types of work performed by students who pursue their own The goal is a theoretical or practical solution to an urgent problem.
Using the project method involves such a construction of the educational process in which the student’s expedient activity is consistent with his personal goals and his own interest. After all, the external result of the work done can be seen and further comprehended. Its value lies in practical application. The internal result is gaining experience. This is the invaluable asset of the student, which combines skills and knowledge, values and competencies.
Classification of elements of active cognitive activity
Each of the educational research methods of training involves carrying out work in various directions.
Moreover, all of it can be differentiated by purpose, the studied object, place and time, etc. So, they distinguish:
- Research on purpose. They are innovative, that is, involving the receipt of the latest scientific results, as well as reproductive, that is, previously obtained by someone.
- Content research. On the one hand, they are divided into theoretical and experimental, and on the other, into natural sciences and humanities. The first of these studies is carried out when students conduct their own experiments and observations. The second is carried out in the study and further generalization of materials and facts, which are contained in various sources. In addition, the content of educational research is divided into mono-, interdisciplinary, as well as supra-subject. When using the first of them, students receive skills within the framework of only one scientific field. Interdisciplinary research is able to solve the problem when attracting knowledge in several disciplines. The subject work of students goes beyond those curricula that are available in an educational institution.
- Research on methods. For example, in physics, they can be calorimetric, spectral, etc.
- Research at the place, as well as at the time of their conduct. In this case, they are extracurricular or lesson.
- Studies on the duration are long-term, conducted over several years or months, medium-term (several weeks or days) and short-term (lesson or a certain part of it).