Topic 1: The Nature Of Teaching And Learning PDF

THE NATURE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING “Nothing has been taught until it has been learnt’’  TTHE NATURE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING Teaching has been identified as a process that facilitates changes I learning and entails telling and persuading, showing and demonstration, guiding and dire...

THE NATURE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING “Nothing has been taught until it has been learnt’’  TTHE NATURE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING Teaching has been identified as a process that facilitates changes I learning and entails telling and persuading, showing and demonstration, guiding and directing the learners’ efforts or a combination of these actions. (Leframe…1991). Callahan and Clark (1979) concur with the above definition, they argue that although it involves the above, it should also be seen as a means of helping one to learn because of the impartation of knowledge skills, attitudes, and values involved. Shindu and Omulando (1992) defined teaching as a professional human activity in which one creatively and imaginatively uses her/himself and his/her knowledge to promote the learning and welfare of others. An art as it calls for inspiration, intuition, talent, and creativity. Gage (1984) describes it as an instrumental or practical art that requires improvisation, spontaneity, the handling of most of consideration of form, style, pace rhythm, and appropriateness. A science, it requires one to have knowledge and skills on how to select and apply the correct formula for each classroom situation. Silberman (1966) argues that as s science, it involves a repertoire of techniques, procedures and skills that can be systematically studied and described and therefore transmitted and improved. Modes of teaching Teaching takes the form of training, indoctrination, instructing, and conditioning. 1. Training is an activity of teaching because it focuses on shaping behavior so that an individual is able to perform a certain skill. 2. Conditioning: Training becomes conditioning when it is aimed less and less at the display of intelligence e.g. a dog salivating at the sound of a bell. 3. Instruction: Instructing is essentially related to the search for truth and understanding and it involves giving reasons, evidence, arguments, and justifications. As an activity, it is allied more closely with the acquisition of knowledge and belief than with the promotion of skills. 4. Indoctrination; It is an activity in teaching that aims at establishing certain beliefs or matters of doctrine. Components of Teaching The main components of teaching are 1. Stating instructional objectives: This is identifying what to be achieved in a given teaching situation 2. Identifying the content to be taught: it refers to specifying what to be taught, its structure and role. 3. Selecting appropriate teaching/learning methods and techniques. This relates to how to go about it; in relation to the nature of the learners to be instructed; 4. Identifying suitable instructional resources. It points to what materials to be used for the objectives to be realized. 5. Actual presentation of the content/lesson using appropriate methods and resources. 6. Giving tests and measurements to find out to what extent the objectives have been attained 7. Evaluation of all that took place in the whole process of learning : and 8. Getting feedback on whether the objectives set had been achieved or not Five-step pattern that make up a model for good teaching. 1. Diagnosing learners’ entry behavior: The teacher must diagnose the needs and desires as a basis for determining what should be taught and where to begin. 2. Preparing for teaching. This includes planning lessons motivating pupils, gathering materials, and arranging the selling for instruction; 3. Guiding the learners in the actual instruction. This means showing pupils how to perform, how to present their information, etc 4. Evaluating the learning outcome. This is where the teacher assesses the pupils; progress and the success of the instruction and 5. Follow-up; helping pupils to fill in what they have missed and to build on what they have learned. Principles of teaching These are beliefs or ideas which teachers should use as guides when planning their own teaching (Taylor; 1970). They include 1. Respect for each child. This is where the teacher’s procedure of teaching should recognize the rights of children as human beings with respect and dignity. 2. Concern for learners’ experience and activity. 3. Helping the learner to see purpose, value and point of what s/he is doing. 4. Helping and encouraging learners to explore to think and to learn in their own way. The teacher has to recognize individual differences 5. Assisting and encouraging learners to share their experiences; thinking and learning. own 6. Realizing that teaching should proceed in an educationally logical order. 7. Evaluating learning from time to time in order to take stock of progress and of difficulties and to look again and again at objectives and procedures used. Characteristics of effective teaching Include: 1. Being knowledgeable on theory and practice of teaching and learning and using this information to practice. 2. Commanding a repertoire of best teaching models, strategies and procedures and using them for classroom instruction and interacting with other adult members of the school. 3. Having disposition and skills to approach all aspects of your work in reflective, collegial and problem –solving manner ;and 4. Viewing learning and teaching as a lifelong process and having disposition and skills for working toward improving your own teaching well as improving schools 2. Motivator: The teacher has to apply techniques of motivation to get leaners actively involved in learning. 3. Manager: One has to know how to manage time and his or her activities accordingly.The knowledge of classroom management where both the learners and physical environment has to be controlled and maintained isimportant. 4. Leader: The teacher not only leads the class but also cultivates leadership qualities in class members leading t promotion of individual growth. 5. Counsellor: Theteachers respond to student’s personal needs and offers counselling services accordingly. 6. Model: The leaners like imitating the adults, so the teacher is always modeling, either intentionally or unintentionally.Modelling consists of displaying of desirable values, attitudes, as well as intellectual processes. 7. Reflective professional: This includes one understanding effects of actions in classroom as they affect leaners and acting on these reflections. It also means seeking out and offering collaborative support to individuals ,schools and the community.It also calls for ones up- dating his/her knowledge and understanding through regular reading. Functions of a teacher 1. Executive function: This refers to the leadership roles teachers are expected to play in their classroom such as providing motivation, planning, and allocating scarce resources. 2. Interactive function: It refers to methods and processes teachers employ as they provide day-by-day instruction to students. 3. Organizational function: It points to the teachers work in the school, community including work with colleagues, parents and school leadership personnel.