Theories of Teaching

Meaning of teaching

• Teaching is defined in various ways, with all definitions considering teaching as imparting knowledge and information.
• It is a process of creating positive change for learners by instructing, guiding, and helping others.

Dimensions of the Teaching Profession

• Teaching as a profession has dimensions that include the profession's "why," or how someone enters the profession.
• The "who" of teaching refers to learners, and the "when" refers to the history and evolution of teacher education.
• The "how" of teaching includes pedagogy, while the "what" refers to curriculum.
• The "where" pertains to field placement.

Metaphors of Teaching

• Teaching is often conceived with metaphors, including being considered an art, a science, a craft, a mission, and a vocation.

Teaching as an Art

• Teachers are often considered artists, like musicians, dancers, painters, and sculptors.
• Teachers demonstrate creativity, reflection, and innovation.
• Teaching is a medium for teachers to express themselves.
• Elliot Eisner stated four reasons that make teaching an art.
• Teaching is an art because it involves skill and grace; therefore, the experience of teaching can be aesthetic for the teacher and learners.
• Like painters and composers, teachers make judgments based on the qualities that unfold during the course of action.
• A teacher's activity is not dominated by prescriptions or routines; it is influenced by unpredictable qualities and contingencies.
• The ends that teaching achieves are often created in the process.

Teaching as a Science

• Science is an organized or systematic body of knowledge that is rooted in empirical evidence.
• Teaching is a science because it is done in a systematic and orderly manner.
• Like science, teaching requires deep knowledge and application of effective techniques coming from empirical studies.

Teaching as a Craft

• A craft requires skilled work involving planning and execution to produce a product or object.
• The combination of teaching as both science and art makes it a craft.
• Combining science and art results in the creation/formation of individuals who may become engineers, doctors, pilots, priests, and leaders.

Teaching as a Mission

• The word "mission" means "to send" in a verb tense, from the Latin word "misio."
• Missioning connotes sending a person or organized group to accomplish a mission.
• Teachers commissioned perform a service or accomplish a task.

Teaching as a Vocation

• The word "vocation" is synonymous with "summon" and comes from the Latin word "vocare", meaning "to call.”
• Merriam-Webster defines vocation as a strong desire to spend one's life doing a certain kind of work.
• Teaching is a profession used to touch people's lives.

The meaning of Profession

• "Profess" means "to show, demonstrate, or manifest."
• The term "professional" refers to anyone who holds a profession and demonstrates expertise, specialization, and dedication to excellence in the field.
• A professional professes commitment to public interest and devotion to moral and ethical values.

Characteristics of a Profession

• Professional autonomy: the right and freedom to determine one's actions and behavior.
• Highly developed theoretical or specialized knowledge that comes from an extensive period of training and education.
• Control of training, certification, and licensing of new teachers.
• Self-governing and self-policing authority are especially with regard to professional ethics.
• Professional bodies exist for professionals, and the professional association enhances workers' status and controls entry requirements.

Teaching as a Profession (UNESCO)

• Teaching is a form of public service, requiring teachers to demonstrate expert knowledge and specialized skills.
• It is acquired and maintained through rigorous and continuing study.
• Teaching calls for a sense of personal and corporate responsibility for the education and welfare of the pupils in their care.

Proof that Teaching is a Profession in the Philippines

• The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) declares teaching as a profession in the Philippines.
• Teaching, as a profession satisfies the basic requisites of being a professional.
• Teaching is a professional because one passes the licensure exam: Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT).
• Teachers are members of an Accredited Professional Organization (APO), like the National Organization of Professional Teachers (NOPT).
• A professional teacher undergoes Continuing Professional Development (RA10912) by attending or participating in professional development events.
• The teacher abides by the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers.

Hallmarks of the Teaching Profession

• Ability to make a difference in the lives of learners.
• Joy of working with learners.
• Watching learners rise to the challenges of the subjects.
• The joy of working with people in general and youth in particular.
• Love of the subject matter.