Teaching and learning theory: Understanding three basic theories

It is important for teachers and students in education to understand some of the key theories for teaching and learning. Therefore, to help them to understand below are three basic theories.

behaviourism:

• Focuses on behavior modification through stimulus & response, with learning seen as a passive process (teacher centered)(Conole, 2010). Its leading theorists include Pavlov, Skinner,

cognitivism:

• Focuses on learning as a process of transforming cognitive structures. Learning is about building mental structures & understanding the operation of the mind (Conole, 2010). Its leading theorists include Piaget, Bruner,

constructivism:

•learners construct their own understanding  & knowledge through experiencing things & reflecting on those experiences (Anderson & Dron, 2011). 

 

Understanding Classroom Management.

Classroom Management

Generally, teachers need to consider important points about the bases of effective teaching during the process of teaching and assessment in relation to their classroom management. Classroom management skills are crucial skills in teaching profession that teachers acquire and practice for a very long period of time. On the other hand, it is the process by which teachers and school management create and maintain suitable behaviour of students in classroom surroundings (Kizlik, 2016). In schools, the main purpose of engaging classroom management approaches is to improve students’ behaviours as well as to increase their academic performances (Emmer & Sabornie, 2015).

Effective teaching

• Teachers in both primary and secondary schools are recommended to be:
• Prepared and planned in terms of lesson aims, objectives, content, materials and presentation.

• Prepared to show effective teaching qualities ( Ayers and Gray, 2000)

Effective classroom management

Effective classroom management principles work across almost all subject areas and grade levels (Brophy, 2006). Classroom management systems are effective because they increase student success by creating an orderly learning environment that enhances students' academic skills and competencies, as well as their social and emotional development. Classroom management systems are most effective when they adhere to three basic principles (Brophy, 2006, pp. 39-40):

• Planned not improvisational
• Preventative rather than simply reactive
• Controlled and organized rather than chaotic
• An opportunity for all students and teachers to experience success
• Emphasize student expectations for behaviour and learning.
• Promote active learning and student involvement.
• Identify important student behaviours for success. More specifically:

1. What behaviours are required to reach the goals of learning activities?
2. What implications does a particular learning activity have for student roles?
3. How will the teacher prepare students to take on these roles?
   ( Evertson & Weinstein, 2006).

Important of classroom management

• Establishes and sustains an orderly environment in the classroom.
• Increases meaningful academic learning and facilitates social and emotional growth.
• Decreases negative behaviours and increases time spent academically engaged.

 References

 Ayers, H and Gray, F (2000).Classroom Management: A practical approach for primary and secondary teachers.

            London: David Fulton Publishers

Brophy, J. (2006). History of research on classroom management. In C. M. Evertson & C. S. Weinstein (Eds.), Handbook of classroom management: Research, practice, and contemporary issues (pp. 17-43). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates

Emmer, E. T. & Sabornie, E. J. (Eds.) (2015). Handbook of classroom management (2 nd ed.). New York: Routledge.

Evertson, C. M., & Weinstein, C. S. (2006). Classroom management as a field of inquiry. In C. M.  Evertson & C. S. Weinstein (Eds.), Handbook of classroom management: Research, practice, and contemporary issues (pp. 3-16). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates

Effective Classroom Management and Managing Student Conduct

www.adprima.com/managing.htm

Classroom Management - American Psychological Association

www.apa.org › Education and Psychology › Pre-K to 12 Education

Meaning of education and approaches to teaching.

The term education: Signifies the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits.

A teaching approaches comprises the principles and methods used for instruction to be implemented by teachers to achieve the desired learning in students. These strategies are determined partly on subject matter to be taught and partly by the nature of the learner. For a particular teaching method to be appropriate and efficient it has to be in relation with the characteristic of the learner and the type of learning it is supposed to bring about.

The author believes that teaching must include two major components sending and receiving information. Although, there are different teaching strategies that promotes active learning and effective communication during teaching and learning activities, however, any communication methods that serve this purpose without destroying the objective of education could be considered as innovative methods of teaching.

Teaching approaches 

Storytelling:

Storytelling, the art of narrating a tale from memory rather than reading is one of the oldest of all art forms, reaching back to prehistoric times. Storytelling involves two elements – selection and delivery. Teachers particularly those in primary are interested in storytelling as a resource in teaching. A successful storyteller chooses adequate stories and must be a good performer, for the delivery is crucial and requires both preparation and rehearsal. Storytelling is the original form of teaching and has the potential of fostering emotional intelligence and help the child gain insight into human behavior.

 Importance of storytelling as a teaching approach

•  Storytelling promotes language learning

• Improves learners’ vocabulary and acquiring new language structures 

• Storytelling provide a motivating and low anxiety context for language learning.

Discussion

Discussion is an effective way to facilitate learning. Discussion can provide the instructor with an opportunity to assess student understanding of course material. In addition, by introducing their own observations and questions, students can explore ideas thoroughly.

Importance of discussion as a teaching approach

• Discussions allow students to actively participate in the learning proces

• Learning is more interesting and students are often more motivated when they are actively involved in using the course material.

Note: Teacher/Educators/Instructors must remember that some students are uncomfortable with the discussion approach and, therefore, a number of different teaching strategies must be used to encourage students to trust their own opinions.

Lecture approach

Lecture is one of the reaching strategy which is oldest one and is used by the teacher to teach.

Importance

Lecture strategy maintains proper channel of motivation, enthusiasm and interest in the classroom.

Directed research

Directed research is a powerful and an extraordinary strategy that provides great opportunity for students to research problems in any field. The final product must be embodied in a paper or other form of written work involving a substantial independent effort on the part of the student.

However, education frequently takes place under the guidance of educators, but learners may also educate themselves. Education can take place in formal or informal settings and any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered educational. The methodology of teaching is called pedagogy.

References

Dujmović, M. (2006). Storytelling as a method of EFL teaching. Metodički obzori,

 1(1), 75-87.

Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and methods in language teaching.

 Cambridge University Press.