What is Teaching, and what are the Five Major Roles of a Teacher?
Definition
Teaching is an art and an academic process. In this process, students are motivated by several ways to learn. A teacher begins with the student’s view about different things and what they know and think about the topic. The teacher keeps in mind the prior knowledge of the students. Teaching positively influences the way students think, act, and feel.
According to Good and Brophy (2000), Teaching is defined as a process in which students are prepared for learning by providing an initial structure to clarify planned outcomes and indicate derived learning strategies. The teachers provide sufficient opportunities in the classroom for students to practice and apply what they are learning and give improvement-oriented feedback. Some other researchers defined teaching as:
Biemiller:- The teachers provide assistance to enable the students to engage in learning activities productively.
Morrison: - Teaching is an intimate contact between a more mature and less mature personality.
Jackson:- Teaching is a face-to-face encounter between two or more persons, one of whom (teacher) intends to effect certain changes in the other participants (students).
Clerk:- Teaching refers to activities that are designed and performed to produce students' behavior
Five Major Roles of a Teacher
An effective teacher is one who contributes to the learning environment by increasing the keen interest of the students. For the purpose of teaching the teacher has to play five major roles. These roles are:
1. As a Subject matter expert
Teachers thoroughly know the subject matter and go beyond the standard textbook materials. Teachers develop important and original thoughts on the subject matter. They tackle issues related to the discipline on the basis of their knowledge.
2, As a Pedagogical expert
Teachers set appropriate learning goals and objectives and communicate them clearly. They show a positive attitude towards the subject and work to overcome difficulties that might be hindrances in learning. They evaluate and mark students’ work fairly. They guide students through critical thinking and problem-solving processes and help them develop their understanding. Teachers provide feedback to students about their progress in learning.
3. As an Excellent communicator
A Teacher demonstrates effective oral and written communication, good organizational abilities, and planning skills. He/she helps students learn to use effective communication skills; utilizes teaching tools appropriately and effectively.
4. As a Student-centred mentor
A Teacher tries to encourage each student to learn through various methods and encourages student participation. Teachers take his/her students to higher intellectual levels.
5. As a Systematic and continual assessor
A Teacher makes an appropriate procedure for student outcome assessments in order to improve student learning experiences. He/she systematically assess his/her own teaching, keeps the class material fresh and new. He/she uses new teaching style to achieve the objectives of successful student learning by identifying his/her own weaknesses and shortcomings in the teaching process.
