EDU 2204 THE TEACHER AND THE CHANGING ROLE

1. THE CONCEPT OF TEACHING

Teaching can be defined as engagement with learners to enable their understanding and
application of knowledge, concepts and processes. It includes design, content selection, delivery,
assessment and reflection.
To teach is to engage students in learning; thus teaching consists of getting students involved
in the active construction of knowledge. A teacher requires not only knowledge of subject
matter, but knowledge of how students learn and how to transform them into active learners.
Good teaching, then, requires a commitment to systematic understanding of learning. 
The aim of teaching is not only to transmit information, but also to transform students from
passive recipients of other people's knowledge into active constructors of their own and others'
knowledge. The teacher cannot transform without the student's active participation. Teaching is
fundamentally about creating the pedagogical, social, and ethical conditions under which
students agree to take charge of their own learning, individually and collectively.  [ Education
for judgment: The artistry of discussion leadership. Edited by C. Roland Christensen, David A.
Garvin, and Ann Sweet. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School, 1991. ]

In this context, the definition of teaching shall be limited to that context which looks at
teaching as a process or activity. Teaching is a process that facilitates learning (J.S Farrant
1990). He further explains that a teacher plays an important role in the process of teaching.
He/she acts like a catalyst actively stimulating learning among learners.

Other scholars like Daniel linden Duke (1990) described teaching as an intentional
transfer of knowledge and skills. He compared the act of parents instructing their off springs or
village elders sharing experiences with the young ones to what contemporary teacher do. He
brings out the importance of systematic approach to teaching. He puts emphasis on the need for
preparation of oneself to be a teacher.

Daniel presents that professional teacher take time to reflect , think about, plan and
prepare what to teach, how to teach, when to teach it and how to teach it, too. This is part of
systematic approach.
 Professional teachers design tools for assessment of educational activities or to assess the
extent to which the learners have learned. Give examples, questioning, assignments, tutorials,
tests, examinations etc.

Effective teaching
Observational studies of teaching suggest that the effective teacher is one who is able to
demonstrate the ability to bring about the intended learning goals. Or can be referred to as one
who is concerned with students learning outcome. Without the achievement of the intended
learning goals the teacher may likely not to be effective.

Qualities of an effective teacher

 The teacher being warm, organized and stimulating as well as being imaginative
 The teacher asks questions, accepts learner’s feelings, acknowledges learners ideas and
appreciates and encourages learners.
 The teacher being enthusiastic, task oriented, clear when presenting instructional content,
uses variety of instructional materials for learners.
 The teacher knows the subject he/she is handling very well likes it and specializes in
particular area of the subject.
 Shows love to the learners he/she is teaching.
 Has a wide intellectual interest that is develop a habit of learning through wide reading.
 Has abilities of memories with power and ability to control students.
 Has a sense of humor among his learners.
 He/she is competent, qualified with the professional ethics at his/her finger tips
 Presents learning materials effectively in a style suitable to learners