PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING

1. Introduction

LESSON 1

Welcome to the most fulfilling and rewarding profession - teaching. Being a teacher is noble, something that we teachers should be proud of. As quoted by Garcia (1989) in his book Focus on Teaching, below is a familiar charade that tells the nobility of the teaching profession:
A Tale in Heaven St. Peter once again went into another round of screening souls whether they could be admitted or not into the firmaments of heaven. Of course, he underscored the importance of remarkable deeds as the sole basis for such selection. This first soul, a doctor, reasoned out that he cured a lot of sick persons among whom were the worlds leading celebrities and political figures. Not to be out shone, the second soul who was an engineer sounded rather extremely boastful by saying that he built the worlds known structures like towering buildings and awe imposing bridges. Moreover, the third soul, a lawyer, recalled with great prides his glorious moments of defending the oppressed right in his own trouble-ridden country. Such unjustly-treated ones include top-ranking opposition leaders, key labor figures, concerned farmers as well as student activists. However, not one of them was able to impress the seemingly hard to please St. Peter. At this point, the fourth soul approached him and briefly remarked: I taught them all, including the doctor, the engineer, and the lawyer. Definitely, at the moment, St. Peter knew that he had found the most deserving of all, and that is the teacher!

However, assuming the roles and responsibilities of a teacher is not that easy. It asks us to consider the various principles of teaching. An anonymous writer writes, teaching is something that takes place only when learning does. No matter what the teacher does, if his students are not learning something significant, therefore, he is not teaching.

The study of the principles of teaching, therefore, is important in order for us to better adopt our instruction to the students individual capabilities. These principles are the chief guides to make teaching, and at the same time, learning effective and productive. Considering the changes in the teaching-learning situation of the present world, teachers must be guided with the sound principles of teaching formulated from carefully observed facts and objectively measured results. So, sit back, relax and enjoy doing the activities of lesson one. In order to provide you with deeper insights and understanding about the principles of teaching, lesson one contains the following topics: Teaching Defined Some Changes In Teaching Principles of Teaching Active Learning Many Methods Motivation Well-Balanced Curriculum Individual Differences Lesson Planning The Power Of Suggestions Encouragement Remedial Teaching Democratic Environment Stimulation Integration

3 Life-Like Situations Independence

Objectives This lesson Principles of Teaching aims to make you familiar with the various principles of teaching, and eventually, make you truly appreciate the importance of the principles of teaching in conducting an actual classroom teaching. You are expected to finish the concepts of lesson one in one and a half hours. But remember, your tutor will ask you to proceed with the conduct of enrichment activities that will entail more time for actual observation activities. Give your best in going over this lesson. For sure, learning this will definitely give you enough information and knowledge regarding the fundamentals of the principles of teaching.

Lets get started!

(,)Good luck

2. Presentation
Teaching Defined The Code of Ethics for Teachers and School Officials, Article IV, Section 1 states: All school official and teachers should feel teaching is among the noblest professions. They should manifest genuine enthusiasm and pride in their calling.

The

unparalleled

nobility

of

the

teaching

profession

was

expounded by Garcia (1997) in his book Focus on Teaching. He claimed that from it springs all other professions, trades and vocations. From teaching born successful leaders of the nations, great scientists of the world, powerful politicians, lawyers, engineers, doctors, technicians, businessman, and the like. Looking at the social context on the definition of teaching, it is a social process, which takes place only when it brings out effective and meaningful learning. According to William Kelly, learning is the ultimate purpose of teaching and the true essence of its success.

Teaching is also a science and an art(Eisner,1983 and Silberman,1966).

Why do you think

Teaching is a Science
____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

Teaching is an Art
____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ To be able to complete the phrases, consider the definition of science and art, then relate it to the process of teaching.

How about your own definition of what teaching is? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Whatever you regard teaching, always remember that good teaching is a matter of drawing out of information and experiences rather than pouring in. We must regard the learner not as a passive recipient of the wisdom but as an active, thinking human being. Consequently, we should give our students an opportunity to relate their experiences and opinions rather than allowing them to just simply listen the whole session of the class.

Some Changes In Teaching Teaching dramatically changed in the present millennium. This happened to suit the new conditions and about learning by the situations 21st brought And century.

because of the emerging technology of the present time, the field of education is not exempted to changes. Teaching now truly strengthens the teachers to be more of a facilitator. Learners now prefer interactive learning. They are fascinated to motion, animation, colors, sound effects, and visual effects as seen in television and

6 computer games. To teach in todays information age, we as teachers need many diverse competencies. Mastery of the subject matter is not enough. We should go beyond the walls of the classrooms. Teaching now requires us to master the teaching and learning, and to put together the mode of transmission (technology) in our lessons in order to provide holistic learning experiences. The teaching process today should include the how and the where of integrating technology. Thus, the 21st century with its information technology oriented state gives way to a fast changing society. The evolution of the various technologies influences the field of education to re-shape our profession as teachers. Digital learning environment such as the Internet and Web, digital fora, stimulators now defined the highly interactive learning environment redefining as well the concept of teaching. Classrooms are not the only venue of learning process. The whole world is the classroom. Learners can travel around the world at the flick of a mouse or even at the command of your voice. Teaching evolves from instruction to construction and discovery. There is a growing shift from pedagogy the art, science and profession of teaching to the creation of learning partnerships and learning cultures. Rather than being places to teach, schools have become places to learn. Teaching is the new century underscores the more vital role of the teachers to create and structure learning experiences, to reinvent traditional ways of

7 facilitating classroom learning, thus making flexible learning now the norm. What is your idea about Technology- enabled education?

Can you think of technology being used in teaching today? What are these? Make some list below: ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ How does technology change the mode of instructional delivery of the educational system? (You may use the concept of Open University to state your answer.)

Principles of Teaching The word principle comes from the Latin word princeps which means the beginning and the end of all things. On the other hand, the Greeks used the term not only to express the origin of things but also to express the fundamental laws, and to put out the ultimate objectives. According to Websters dictionary, principles are comprehensive laws or doctrines from which other are derived or on which others are founded. Hopkins stated the definition of principles

8 as: rules for guiding the ship of education so that it will reach the port designated by the philosophy of education; it is a compass by which the path of education is directed. The above definitions clearly support that principles are general truth or guiding norm by which a process (teaching) is carried on. These are psychological laws of learning, important educational theories, governing laws or rules of facts and generally accepted tenets. Now let us take a look on the various principles of teaching taken from the book of Gaudencio V. Aquinos Principles and Methods of Effective Teaching: Principle no. 1: ACTIVE LEARNING The students must be mentally active most of the time and physically active some of the time. Extensive physical and mental activity o the teachers part will not necessarily guarantee learning on the students part. In numerous learning situations, the students learn better if they are engaged in some physical activity while concentrating upon a mental task. Principle no. 2: USE MANY METHODS There is no single way to teach a class. There are many good ways. The outworn assign, study and recite method is disappearing as quickly as the one room school. A method, which fails with one student, may be very helpful to another.

9 Principle No. 3: MOTIVATION Effective motivation arises from students interests, needs, problems and expressed purposes. Although we humans learn only what we want to learn, it is nevertheless true that relating unknown to known interest can develop interest in the unfamiliar. Teachers must start with students interest, needs, problems and purposes but must go beyond their immediate wishes to more worthy purposes. Principle No. 4: WELL-BALANCED CURRICULUM The curriculum should serve two purposes: a. to provide essential skills for the students to enable him to become a useful member of society b. to satisfy the students personal and immediate needs There should be blend and a balance of the two throughout the days curriculum. Principle No.5: INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES Good teaching recognizes individual differences. The slow learning student, the average student and the bright student the three common categories have to be taught in different ways. In addition to students intellectual differences, there are differences in emotional, social, physical, spiritual, aesthetic and moral development. Principle No. 6: LESSON PLANNING Units, lessons and activities must be well planned. Daily lesson planning should be detailed, and classroom management made routine. All planning should be flexible.

10 Principle No. 7: THE POWER OF SUGGESTIONS Suggestions are more fruitful than dictations . Through the power of positive suggestion, students are willing to undertake tasks and procedures, which they may have felt inadequate to tackle before, or had not considered. Suggestions may be given as to which books and materials to use, how to solve problems what procedures to follow. Principle No. 8: ENCOURAGEMENT Daily help to the students in judging their own progress characterizes good teaching. The teacher indicates where progress is being made, both to the class as whole and to individual students. Praise, given only when earned, makes students aware of their successes. Principle No. 9: REMEDIAL TEACHING Good teaching is both diagnostic and remedial. In many subjects, there are standardized and diagnostic tests available to help pinpoint specific errors and weaknesses . Teacher made instrument tests based on contents studied also indicate where remedial teaching may be required. Principle No. 10: DEMOCRATICE ENVIRONMENT Students learn democracy by living it. In return for rights and privileges within the classroom, students should be aware of their responsibilities to the group and of group service.

11 Principle No. 11: STIMULATION Each student can be stimulated within the limits of his abilities to exceed his present efforts. Challenges can be provided through teachers expression of confidence in her students own skills; through provoking curiosity; and through encouraging creative endeavor. Principle No. 12: INTEGRATION By building upon previous knowledge and experience, new learning and new experiences become more meaningful. Learning involves a reorganization of previous experience and an integration of what has been completed into the new learning experience. Principle No. 13: LIFE-LIKE SITUATIONS Learners should be guided into realization that their studies and activities are part of life. It is a sad fact that many learners fail to see any relationship between the school and life situation. To many of them, real life is outside the school. Teacher should remedy this belief by pressing life-like learning problems for the students to grapple with. Principle No. 14: INDEPENDENCE A students increasing independence from adults and everincreasing sense of responsibility are signposts of good teaching. The degree of independence gained at any given time should measure up with the maturity level of the child. And that presents the concepts of this module. Now, to be able to examine a real classroom setting where these principles of

12 teaching are applied, let us conduct an actual classroom observation. Doing so can make your learning complete. So, come on and take a look with the Enrichment Activity. How are principles of teaching actually applied? Enrichment Activities To facilitate the understanding how principles are actually applied in teaching, attend and observe a class of a public or a private school teacher.
NOTE: The following will serve as pointers for successful observation: 1. All principles utilized by the professional teacher being observed should be carefully observed and listed. The observer must be able to discriminate as well, between the good and the bad utilization of principles. 2. Personal dislike for a certain kind of teaching, techniques or styles of teaching utilized by the teacher should not influence the intellectual analysis of the observer. The observer should not allow himself to be controlled by his prejudices even if those prejudices are well founded. 3. The ability of the students, the class size, the nature of the subject, the condition of the school and the training of the teacher should also be considered. The observer must take into consideration the actual teaching and learning conditions. Watching a teacher who is dealing with a small size class or a bright class will be more enjoyable than watching a teaching dealing with a big or dull class.

Make a written report and be ready to discuss the results in the class. Use this format in submitting your written report.
Teacher Observed: _________ Class Handled:_____________ Subject:__________________ Principles of Teaching Utilized by the Teacher 1. __________________ School:__________

Instances where the principles are used ________________________

____________________

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3. Summary
There are many principles of teaching we can choose from to make our teaching effective. Considering these principles of teaching can ensure teaching success. Always remember that students are the center of the educative process, therefore, the appropriateness of the principles of teaching to be utilized should be based on the nature, needs, abilities, and uniqueness of our students. Flexibility characterizes teachers who are recognizing these principles of teaching.

4. Exercise
Matching Type. Match column A with column B. Write the letter of your choice on the space before each number. You have 10 minutes to do this exercise. A __1. The students learning activities must be strengthened by the teacher through presenting life-like learning problems __2. A method, which fails in one child may be very helpful to another child. __3. the students must be mentally active most of the time and physically active some of the time. __4. Dictations make students unwilling to undertake B a. many methods

b. active response c. individual difference d. lesson planning

14 learning tasks and procedures. __5. Good teaching recognizes the three commonest categories of learners. __6. Children should be made aware of their responsibilities in return for their rights and privileges. __7. Activities must be well prepared to avoid waste of time and effort __8. Learning involves the reorganization of previous learning and combination of what has been completed into the new learning __9. Praises make students aware of their successes. j. democratic environment __10. Students should be challenged to exceed their present effort k. integration l. remedial teaching e. stimulation f. power of suggestion g. encouragement h. life-like situation i. well-balanced curriculum

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