Non-Traditional Teaching Methods: Their Uses and Impact on Students

(Dr. Kathie Nunley)

Dr. Kathie Nunley, an educational psychologist, developed a style of teaching, coined as the Layered Curriculum® method, incorporates every type of student.
In short it is 3 levels of assignments, starting with C level and ending with A. In each level, there are numerous types of assignments which coincide with the grade level each of the layer. The assignments vary so that each type of student can accomplish at least one per level. Apart from assignments, Dr. Nunley made it so her method is all about independently choosing what you do in class. She suggests recording lessons ahead of time in the form of either a video or podcast, so that students have that resource to learn. By doing this, students learn to use their time wisely by either doing assignments or watching/listening to a lesson. In addition to learning to use their time wisely students are in theory allowed to dictate what grade they receive. For example, if a student wants an A+ they would only do A level assignments. Thus, the method teaches students not only what is expected in the curriculum but valuable life lessons.

(An overview of The Layered Curriculum® Method)

The Layered Curriculum® method, would work extremely well at St. Pius X in my opinion. As our school has a high number of ESL students, who struggle with speaking English let alone trying to understand topics I find hard, the method would level the difficulty of each subject it is used. The Layered Curriculum® method allows for students to have a choice in their learning, by allowing them to choose what assignments they want to do. Teachers can then help students who need it during class time, as their lessons would be pre-recorded and even clarify certain lessons as students need it. While the method would especially help the ESL students at St. Pius X, it would also encourage students who heavily rely on teachers to learn to become independent and prepare them for life after high school. Thus, the Layered Curriculum® method would work extremely well in my opinion.

(This is where I grew up, a community smaller than the student body of St. Pius X)

In my experience, non-traditional teaching methods in school teaches students more valuable life lessons than traditional teaching methods. With traditional teaching methods, students usually become ‘book smart’ and rarely are ‘street smart’. What I mean is, students who typically have high marks haven’t had to deal with things those with lower marks have. Although this isn’t always true. At past schools, I’ve dealt firsthand with non-traditional teaching methods. These methods were not like Dr. Nunley’s but involved a more hands-on approach to school. For example, in elementary school my school involved a lot of cultural activities which developed my sense of community and in turn myself. This upbringing allowed me to follow my dreams and continue to achieve them to this day. If one of my teachers at St. Pius X used non-traditional learning methods, especially Dr. Nunley’s Layered Curriculum® method I would probably start to enjoy school more. I would feel this way because it would become my choice as to what I do in class, and only my actions which determine my grade. It wouldn’t be some standardized test which determines my grade. Thus, in my experience non-traditional teaching methods develop more than theory or knowledge from textbooks ever could.