What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Demonstration?

Advantages of the method demonstration practice of teaching include the ability for participants to see, feel and participate directly in the learning process and the enhanced learning ability of those being instructed. Disadvantages of method demonstration include the risk of too many participants being involved and a potential shortage of time, resources and facility space, which limits the hands-on opportunities of the participants.

Additional advantages of method demonstration include a student’s opportunity to engage in self-directed learning at a pace that suits the particular student. For example, a student can work ahead when constructing a woodworking project once the teacher demonstrates the overall process.

The disadvantages of this method include some students feeling left behind when others advance at a faster rate, which decreases student morale in the classroom. Teachers may also not be able to assist all students due to time and space limitations, which is also considered a disadvantage to the method demonstration process of teaching.

The method demonstration practice of teaching involves showing students how to complete a project or task by doing the task as opposed to listening to a lecture and writing notes. For example, lab experiments, pottery making and cooking workshops are examples of method demonstration instruction techniques.

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