Disadvantages Of Participatory Teaching

Introduction

Advocates of Participatory Teaching attribute a range of advantages to it. Among them are that PT promotes a deep approach to learning, encourages higher order thinking, foster self-directed learning and increases collaborative interaction between students and teachers [1]. Most research on PT however, has focused largely on improvement of student learning outcomes or achievements instead of other skills. Such studies have tended to define student achievement narrowly in terms of academic progress measured through test scores at the expense of other equally important learning outcomes (Newman 2003) [2]. Other qualities or learning outcomes such as problem solving, communication skills and teamwork are generally less examined in relation to PT in the research literature. However, learning outcomes are not only academics, but generic skills are equally important [3].

Other qualities of graduates include generic skills acquired during the course of academic life are equally important for success of an individual in employment and work life. Working in teams, communicating clearly, personal and interpersonal skills, problem solving, IT literacy and using mathematical concepts efficiently are some of the other skills besides academic exploits required for the job market and generally constitute generic skills [4]. To avoid confusions, generic skills, workplace skills, employability skills are only one thing and the same but overlaps with life skills which are little