Learning and Teaching

Course 3: Learning and Teaching

Course Objectives:

The student-teachers will be able to

1. Reflect on their own implicit understanding of the nature and kinds of learning

2. Gain an understanding of different theoretical perspectives on learning

3. Demonstrate understanding of the role of a teacher at different phases of instruction

4. Write instructional objectives teaching of a topic

5. Demonstrate understanding of different skills and their role in effective teaching

6. Use instructional skills effectively

Unit 1 Understanding Learning

a) Nature of learning: learning as a process and learning as an outcome

b) Types of learning: factual, associations, conceptual, procedural, generalizations, principles and rules, attitudes, values and skills

c) Pedagogic principles for organizing learning: behaviouristic, cognitivistic, humanistic and constructivistic

d) A critical analysis of the relevance and applicability of various learning theories for different kinds of learning situations

Unit 2 Factors Influencing Learning

a) Biological and hereditary factors influencing learning

b) Factors related to the subject matter content and learning material and method of learning; attention, motivation and readiness as factors influencing scholastic learning

c) Factors influencing remembering and forgetting, conceptual organization and reorganization, scaffolding,

d) Role of the teachers, school and parents in addressing various factors influencing learning: a few strategies

Unit 3 Understanding Teaching

a) Teaching as a planned activity – its elements and assumptions

b) Phases of teaching: pre-active, interactive and post-active.

c) Proficiency in teaching: meaning and place of awareness, skills, competencies and commitment; general and subject related skills and competencies required in teaching

d) Teacher’s professional identity- what does it entail?

Unit 4 Pre-active and Interactive Phases of Teaching

a) Teacher roles and functions in the pre-active phase –

• Understanding the learner and learner readiness characteristics, the subject matter content and their inter-linkages, 

• Specification of objectives • Selecting the appropriate instructional approaches, strategies and learning resources • Preparation of a Plan: Unit Plan and Lesson Plan 

b) Teacher roles and functions in the interactive phase - facilitating and managing learning; Expository Strategy (Presentation-discussion-demonstration, the Advance Organizer Model), Inquiry Strategy (Concept Attainment/ Concept Formation, Inductive Thinking, Problem Based Learning/Project Based Learning)

c) Interactive Phase of Teaching – Approaches and Skills of Teaching

• Approaches to Individualized Instruction: Computer Managed Instruction, Programmed Instruction, and Learning Activity Packages;

• Approaches to Small Group and Whole Group Instruction: Cooperative and Collaborative approaches to learning, Brain storming, Role Play and Dramatization, Group Discussion, Simulation and Games, Debate, Quiz and Seminar

Instructional Skills: Structuring, Soliciting and Reacting, Verbal and Non-verbal, Feedback and Reinforcement, Discourse, Demonstration and Modelling

Unit 5 Post-active Phase of Teaching and Learners’ Evaluation

a) Teacher roles and functions in the post-active phase: evaluation of pupil learning, evaluation

b) Generating feedback on all three phases of teaching

c) Reflection and appraisal for professional development in teaching: self-reflection, observation and feedback by peers

d) Analysis of teaching using different media, appraisal by students

Sessional Work

• Assignment (Any two of the following) (Concerned teacher can devise assignment as per requirement of the course)

1. Study of instructional practices with reference to use of classroom skills

2. Classification of instructional objectives of a lesson under domains and levels

3. Writing instructional objectives for different content categories

4. Construction of Unit/Lesson Plan

5. Practice of skills in a simulated situation