Theory of teaching

Theory of teaching
  • 1. Theories of TeachingIntroduction Kerlinger(1965) has defined the terms theory of teaching: “ A theory of teaching is a set of interrelated constructs, definitions, propositions whichpresent a systematic view of teaching by specifying relations among variables with the purpose ofexplaining and predicting”. Under this definition main emphasis has been given on the relationship among teachingvariables. The purpose of relationship is to understand, predict and control teaching tasks. Burner (1964) defines the theory of teaching as the explanation of “general methodology ofteaching”. B.O. Smith (1969) gives a statement as a definition of theory of teaching.“ The teacher who is not theoretically trained will interpret events and objects in terms ofcomminutions concepts that have come from the experience of the race permeated without modelideas about human behaviour. This statement indicates the nature of theory of teaching. A theory of teaching answers threequestions: how do teachers behave, why do they behave as they perform and with what effect. Itapplies for all teachers, for all students and for all situations in which reaching occurs. It considers the teacher-behaviour, the cause and student’s learning effect. It explains, predictsand controls the ways in which the teacher-behaviours affects the learning of students. A theoryof teaching must answer the questions of the teaching for efficient learning. 1
  • 2. Need for a theory of teaching A teaching theory has the following advantages: 1. Teaching theory explains the relationship between teaching and learning and indentifies common factors. 2. Teaching theory gives the knowledge about the assumptions of teaching activities which provide guideline for organizing teaching 3. The instructional designs can be developed with the help of theory of teaching. 4. Teaching theory provides the scientific basis for planning, organizing, leading and evaluation the teaching. 5. The classroom teaching problems may be studied scientifically through the knowledge of teaching theory. 6. The pupil-teachers can develop teaching skills and competency by employing the knowledge given by theory of teaching. 7. Teaching objectives may be successfully achieved by the use of teaching theory. 8. The effective teachers enable produced with the use of teaching theory. 9. N.L. Gage suggests that theories of teaching may be used to increase the understanding, prediction and control of teaching.Types of teaching theories Teaching theories may be broadly classified into three categories: (1) Formal theory (philosophical theory) of teaching. (2) Descriptive theory of teaching and (3) Normative theory of teaching. 2
  • 3. (1) Formal Theory of teaching (Philosophical Theory) of teaching The theory which is based upon certain logic, certain metaphysical, epistemologicalassumptions and propositions is known as formal theory of teaching. The following are the fourphilosophical theories of teaching: (a) Meutic Theory of Teaching (b) The communication Theory of Teaching (c) The Molding Theory of Teaching, and (d) The mutual Inquiry Theory of teaching(2) Descriptive Theory of Teaching The theory which is based upon empirical evidence and observation is called descriptivetheory. The purpose of descriptive theory is to predict the relationship and effectiveness ofvariables of teaching. Gardon and Bruner have formulated such theories of teaching: (a) Instruction theory of teaching and (b) Prescriptive theory of teaching(3) Normative Theory of teaching The normative theory of teaching may be developed because it is difficult to control thehuman subjects in experimental situation. The learning theories have been developed undercontrolled conditions by conducting experiments and animals. The normative theory explains therelationship among teaching variables on the basis of observations in normal teaching condition. This category has four theories of teaching: (a) The cognitive theory of teaching (b) Theory of teacher-behaviour (c) Psychological theory of teaching and (d) The general theory of teaching 3
  • 4. Formal Theory of Teaching These theories are based upon metaphysical and epistemological propositions. There areearlier theories which reflects the current social practices. Meutic Theory of Teaching This theory conceives that teaching process helps to recollect or unfold that knowledge withquestioning techniques. The teacher brings his knowledge at conscious level of this child. Thefocus of this theory is on self realization. The socratic’s method is an essential for this theory.The heredity plays an important role in teaching process. (a) The communication theory of Teaching This theory of teaching based upon assumptions that the teacher possesses all knowledge andinformation which student does not possess. The most appropriate way for the student is to learnthis knowledge that the teacher presents, explains, demonstrates and performs in the classroom.This theory further assumes that the child is like a clean state, the teacher can imprint upon itanything through his mode of communications. Therefore, it is designed as the communicationpractical theory of teaching. (b) The moulding theory of teaching John dewey is the advocate of this moulding theory of teaching confine to impart theknowledge to the students. The third theory has the focus on shape, form and mould of thestudents behavior. The basic assumption about the human nature which this theory takes inconsideration is that human personality is formed, shaped and moulded by their environment. (c) The mutual inquiry theory The main assumption of this theory about the nature of knowledge is that the whole body orrecorded facts as ‘information’ knowledge which in schools and outside the schools is generallysubstituted for inquiry. True knowledge is inquiry, used to apply efficient methods and relevantinformation for the solution problems. 4
  • 5. This theory of teaching is clearly applicable to research and art. This theory assumes that eachindividual has the capacity to discover new knowledge with mutual inquiry. It implies that ateacher has a model in his mind to use in specific situation and student himself selects the modelfor mutual inquiry.Descriptive theory of teaching Descriptive theory of teaching is based upon certain propositions and certain observations. (a) Theories of Instructions A theory of instruction consists of a set of propositions stating the relationship between, onthe one hand, measures the outcome of education and on the other hand, measure both theconditions to which the learner is exposed and variables representing characteristics of thelearner. There are three models assigned to the three theories of instruction. (1) Gagne’s hierarchical theory of Instruction (2) Atkinson’s Decision Theoretic Analysis for optimizing learning (3) Bruner’s Cognitive Developmental Theory of Instruction (1) Gagne’s hierarchical theory of Instruction Robert M, Gagne has termed from theories of learning to the practical task of training orinstructional theory. He has proposed eight kinds of learning: Signal, stimulus-response, chaining,verbal association, multiple discrimination, concept learning, rule learning and problem solving.He identified five learning outcome associated with types of learning they are as follow: Verbalinformation, Intellectual skills, cognitive strategy, motor skills and attitude. Gagne while emphasizing the need for a proper theory of instruction proposed that such atheory of instruction must be based on the hierarchical structure of the events of learning. Whatgoes on inside the learners mind during the teaching learning process may be termed as internalevents. This events must be fully taken in consideration while planning the corresponding 5
  • 6. instructional procedures. This learning events from the angle of a learner along with thecorresponding instructional events is presented as follows: Learning event Corresponding instructional events Reception Gaining attention Expectancy Information learners of the objective Retrieval Stimulation recall or prior learning Selective Perception Presenting the stimulus Semantic encoding Providing learning guidance Responding Eliciting performance Reinforcement Providing feedback Retrieval Assessing performance Generalization Enhancing retention and transfer Therefore an instructional plan may thus be properly choked by following the sequences oflearning events. (2) Atkinson’s Decision-theoretic Analysis for Optimizing Learning. Richart C. Atkinson came to instructional psychology from the interest in mathematicallearning theory which he applied to computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Atkinson Proposed four characteristics which must be satisfied with a precise derivation of an“Optimal Instructional Strategy”. (a) Model of the learning process should be involved (b) It should involve specified instructional actions (c) The instructional objectives should be specified in behavioral terms. 6
  • 7. (d) Each instructional objective can be measured by Burner advocates that a theory of instruction is designing measurement scale or questions. This model is, in fact, a special case of Optimal Control Theory, as it has been developed inthe mathematical and engineering field. (3) Bruner’s Cognitive Developmental Theory of Instruction. Burner advocates that a theory of instruction is prescriptive in that it proposes rules forachieving knowledge of skills and provides techniques evaluating learning outcomes. It is alsonormative in that it sets goals to be achieved and deal with conditions for meeting then. ‘A Theory of instruction’ in short is concerned with how what one wished to teach can best belearned, with improving rather than describing learning. This is not to say that learning and developmental theories are irrelevant for theory ofinstruction. In fact, a theory of instruction must be concerned with both learning and developmentand must be congruent with those theories of learning and development to which it subscribes.Burner is insistent on the empirical steps necessary before the theory can prescribe the practice. Burner has specified four features that a theory of instruction must involve: Predisposition tolearn, structure of knowledge, sequence of instruction and reinforcement. Bruner has specified four features that a theory of instruction must involve: Predisposition tolearn, structure of knowledge, sequence of instruction and reinforcement. • Predisposition to learn – A theory of instruction must be concerned with the experiences and context that will tend to make the child willing and able to learn when he enters the school • Structure of knowledge - A theory of instruction should specify the ways in which body of knowledge should be structured so that it can be most readily grasped by the learner. • Sequence of instruction – A theory of instruction should specify the most effective sequences to present the material 7
  • 8. • Reinforcement – A theory of instruction should specify the nature and pacing of rewards, moving from extrinsic rewards of intrinsic one. Each of this points require elaborating with respect of the individual difference amongstudents at a given age, structure of knowledge with a topic to be taught, flexibility of sequencing,rate of learning, interests and so on. “Any subject can be taught effecting in some intellectualhonest for any student at any stage of development”. (b) Prescriptive theory of teaching E. Stones and Morries have attempted to explain the nature of teaching with the help of threetypes of related variables: The first phase includes the teacher in the analysis of the teaching problems and teaching testsbefore teaching takes place. It has two types of tasks one is the analysis of teaching content andsecond is the analysis of the nature of the student’s learning. In the second Phase decision are made about the interrelationship of the variables deemedappropriate to teaching objectives. The third phase concerns with evaluating the effectiveness and workability of phase two inrelaxing the objective and this consists of techniques of examination in which varibales have beeninterrelated in phase second.Normative theory of teaching The learning theories have been formulated by designing experiment in controlled situations,therefore they have less generalizability. Teaching theory should have high generalizabilitybecause it concerns with human behavior. More rigorous control cannot be imposed by designingexperiments on human subjects. Therefore we need normative theory of teaching. a) The cognitive theory of teaching 8
  • 9. N.L. Gage suggest that one theory of teaching cannot serve the purpose of education. Thereshould be more than one theory of teaching because teaching may be analysed in four ways: Types of teacher’s activity – A teacher has to lay several roles in teaching. Teaching consists of many kinds of activity such as philosopher (information Given. Adviser, counselor, motivator, demonstrator, curriculum planner and evaluator. Types of education objectives – Bloom has classified three types of objectives: Cognitive, Affective and Pschomotor. Tolman has given things to be learned, field cognition mode, drive discrimination field expectation and motor patterns. Types of learning theories – teaching might proceed on the basis of different families of learning theory; philosophical theories of learning (mental discipline, unfoldment, approbation). Psychological theories of learning: S_R family, Reinforcement theory and Insight learning theory. Each family suggests different views of teaching process. Types of components of learning – Neal Miller suggests four componenets of learning, drive, cue, response and reward. The each component requires the different types of teaching acticvities. b) Theory of teacher behavior D.G. Ryan has tried to explain the concept of teacher-behaviour and formulated a theory ofteacher-behaviour. M. Meux and B.O. Smith have defined the term teacher-behaviour “Teacher behavior consists of those acts that the teacher performs typically in the classroomin order to induce-learning”. Theory of teacher behaviour also explains the relationship of variables, It is based upon twopostulates. Teacher behaviour is social in nature - Teacher performs his tasks in group. Teacherbehavior is concerned with the class-room verbal and non-verbal interaction. In the process ofinteraction, teacher and students both participate. The initiation and response activities are to beperformed by teacher or students. They both influence each other. Therefore it is considered associal behavior. 9
  • 10. Teacher behavior is relative - Teacher’s classroom activities are based upon socialsituations. Teacher’s activities are the product of social conditions and are related to the culturalsettings in which teacher performs the teaching task. Teacher- Behaviour is good or bad, effectiveand ineffective, it can be judged with reference to a particular culture’s value system and set ofobjectives. Therefore teacher behavior is a relative concept. c) The Psychological theory of teaching This theory considers teaching a sort contractual relationship between the teacher and thepupils. The relationship consists of certain activities to be performed by the teacher such as :analyzing teaching task, determining learning goals, identifying entering behavior and selectingteaching strategy. The teacher formulates teaching tasks by his own experiences and insight. Hemakes judgment about the pupil’s stage of development. The teacher locates his positioning thecognitive map. Teaching has very high values. The value helps others to grow and learn to give one best fromwhich others benefit, but from which one does not benefit oneself to do good without expectinganything in return and so on. d) General Theory of teaching S.C.T. Clarke has formulated a general theory of teaching. It assumes that teaching is processwhich is designed and performed to produce change in behavior of students. Teaching activitiescan be very diverse and vary also at different levels of teaching and objectives. All thesecombinations are possible in teaching process. This theory limits the teaching activities to thosewhich are acceptable by a democratic society. 10
  • 11. Conclusion The available literature on this topic reveals that there is no theory of teaching at all. Thereare only models or paradigms of teaching. Teaching theory is prescriptive. Teachers and pupilsare the major variables of teaching theory. It is narrow and specific. It is based upon learningtheory, learning conditions and learning components. While learning theory are formulated byconducting experiments on animals teaching theory is developed by dealing with human subjectsin normal situations. It is concerned with effective learning and development of pupils.References1. Sharma. R.K. “Technological foundation of education”, Theories of teaching.2. Mangal. S.K. “Advanced Educational Psychology”, Nature and theories of learning. PHI learning Private Limited. Pg.235 – 236. 11