Abstract:

Higher Education Institutions (HEIS) are continuously faced with challenges to select the most suitable and appropriate teaching and learning methods that promote quality education. Individual students learn differently, therefore, it is imperative that lectures at HEIs find effective teaching and learning methods that are beneficial to all students. A point often overlooked is that effective teaching and learning methods cater for student’s diversity and learning needs. It enhances student’s performance, which is of great importance in all faculties in any HEIs. Even though various scholars identified diverse teaching and learning methods used in HEIs, there is a paucity of research on diverse teaching and learning methods that are found to be effective in various schools in the Faculty of Education. To be able to reach all student’s learning needs, lecturers should be able to vary different teaching and learning methods and not be stagnant and stick to one method which does not cater for all student’s needs. For example, some scholars felt that teaching methods used by lecturers might be too vague for the students and not everyone can articulate what the lecturer is teaching, whereas some find it very appropriate and relevant in their schools.

The continuous debate on the best teaching and learning methods to be used at HEIs prompted the need for this study, which systematically reviewed existing literature in finding the gaps in different teaching and learning methods used in Faculty of Education at HEIs across the globe. The literature reviewed were sampled from various schools or department in the Faculty of Education. The results revealed that the most suitable and effective teaching and learning methods for students and lecturers in the Faculty of Education at the HEIs were, lecture method incorporated with class discussion because it develops creative mind-set amongst students. Furthermore, literature suggests that discussion method, brainstorming, real life practice method is widely encouraged as a method to engage students into active learning process. Active learning process plays a central role in teaching and learning because it produces independent and critical thinkers as opposed to dependent and passive students who cannot function without instructions.
This study also address more prevalent teaching and learning methods used in diverse schools in the Faculty of Education in HEIs. This study could also contribute and benefit students and lecturers greatly in the classroom to attain good results. Furthermore, this study could be valuable to HEIs in making informed decisions towards planning and implementation of effective teaching and learning methods in order to achieve educational mandate. The study recommends that HEIs should consider integrating suitable educational technology as a key success factor to enhance effective teaching and learning. The study further recommends and conclude that more studies of this nature should be conducted to keep up with the changes and new trends regarding effective teaching and learning methods use in various faculties, schools or departments in the HEIs.

Keywords:

Effective, teaching and learning methods, faculty, departments and Higher Education Institution.