Definition of demonstration:
- An act of showing something by giving proof or evidence.
- An instance of somebody showing and explaining how something works.
- ¨Demonstration method is a visual approach to examining information, ideas and processes
- It is a teaching method that allows students to see the teacher actively engaged as a learner and a model rather than merely telling them what they need to know
- learning by seeing (visibility)
- take them by step by step (instruction)
- if students already know the concept then ask question like 'what would be the next step?'. (gaining of attention)
Purpose
Teacher-allows learner to view a real/life like.Example of skill or a procedure to learn.
Students- allows to demonstrate mastery.
Why to demonstration?
- To stimulate interest in a particular topic: attracts students attentions and create interest that the written or spoken word cannot.
- To illustrate points efficiently: it is useful when time or explanation alone is not sufficient.
- To provide a change of pace:giving a students a break from other modes of instruction(verbal ones). it also avoids the boredom.
- lack of equipment: demonstration is more effective when the shortage of resources.
- Time constraint.
- Risky experiment: All teacher are aware that all the experiment are not safe especially for small children (chance of hurting and burning or causing accidents). Hence teachers need to perform the experiments by themselves.
Steps/procedural involved
- Carefully plan the demonstration
- Practice the demonstration
- develop on outline to guide the demonstration
- make sure everybody can see the demonstration
- introduce the demonstration to focus attentions
- ask and encourage questioning
- plan a follow up to the demonstration
Merits
- seeing before doing
- task guidance: can be guided step by step
- Economy of supplies:Less supplies needed because not everyone needs to handle materials
- Safety: Allows teacher to control potentially dangerous materials or machinery instead of students.
Demerits
- Not hand on: not direct hand on experience for students unless being lead to step by step
- limited view: students may not have an equal view of demonstration, so some ways miss an aspect of the demonstration
- Pacing issue: Not all the students ca follow the steps.
