This manual provides an overview of five teaching styles—Lecturer, Demonstrator, Hybrid, Facilitator, and Delegator—suitable for private online sessions at BES. Each style comes with a concise description, a look at what it offers, points to consider, and practical ideas on how to use it in our online setting. Whether you prefer structured explanations or more collaborative approaches, you’ll find guidance on choosing the method that fits both your teaching strengths and your students’ needs.
Description
The Lecturer style is the classic way of teaching where most information comes directly from the sensei. In an online school, this often means live webinars or pre-recorded videos focused on clear explanations and covering a lot of material in a structured format. It works well when learners need a solid understanding of core facts or concepts before moving on to deeper discussions or practical tasks.
If you choose the Lecturer style, you’ll likely be doing most of the talking, but it can still be interactive if you include Q&A sessions, quick polls, or short quizzes. This approach is especially helpful for topics that require detailed explanations, such as complex theories or step-by-step processes.
Description
The Demonstrator style is still led by the sensei but relies on examples and hands-on instruction to show how something is done. You might share your screen to solve a problem step by step, or record a video of a real-life demonstration, such as a cooking lesson or a fitness routine. This is great for learners who need to see how a process unfolds in real-time or who learn best by visual and active examples.
While the sensei remains the main guide, students can be encouraged to try out what they’ve observed. This style often works well for practical subjects but can be adapted to more theoretical ones if you find ways to visualize the ideas (e.g., flowcharts or simulations).
Description
The Hybrid style strikes a balance between sensei-led instruction and student involvement. For instance, you might start class with a short lecture on key points, then move into group discussions or interactive tasks so students can practice and explore the ideas. In the online context, this could involve a mix of recorded videos, live sessions, breakout rooms, and independent assignments.
Hybrid teaching works well for many subjects because it offers structure and the chance to apply new knowledge right away. It also helps keep students engaged by combining different activities, which can appeal to a variety of learning preferences.