Teaching and Teacher Behaviour
Meaning and Definitions
1. Teaching – Meaning
Teaching is a purposeful, systematic, and interactive process through which a teacher facilitates learning by guiding, motivating, and supporting learners to acquire knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes. Teaching is not merely the transmission of information; it aims at bringing about desirable changes in learners’ behaviour.
Modern teaching is learner-centred and focuses on the holistic development of students, including intellectual, emotional, social, and moral growth.
2. Definitions of Teaching
- Edmund Amidon: “Teaching is an interactive process, primarily involving classroom talk which takes place between teacher and pupil.”
- H.C. Morrison: “Teaching is an intimate contact between a more mature personality and a less mature one designed to further the education of the latter.”
- B.F. Skinner: “Teaching is the arrangement of contingencies of reinforcement under which students learn.”
- N.L. Gage: “Teaching is a form of interpersonal influence aimed at changing the behaviour potential of another person.”
3. Teacher Behaviour – Meaning
Teacher behaviour refers to the total pattern of actions, attitudes, verbal and non-verbal expressions, emotional responses, and professional conduct exhibited by a teacher in the classroom and educational environment.
Teacher behaviour greatly influences students’ learning, motivation, discipline, emotional security, and overall personality development.
Teacher behaviour includes:
- Communication style
- Attitude towards students
- Classroom management
- Emotional stability and empathy
- Professional ethics and values
4. Definitions of Teacher Behaviour
- Gage and Berliner: “Teacher behaviour consists of all the activities and responses of the teacher that influence student learning.”
- Flanders: “Teacher behaviour is the pattern of verbal and non-verbal interaction between teacher and pupils in the classroom.”
- Good (1973): “Teacher behaviour refers to classroom actions of the teacher that affect students’ learning directly or indirectly.”
5. Relationship Between Teaching and Teacher Behaviour
| Teaching | Teacher Behaviour |
|---|---|
| A planned instructional process | The manner in which teaching is carried out |
| Focuses on learning objectives | Focuses on attitudes and actions |
| Includes methods and strategies | Includes communication and emotional responses |
| Aims at behaviour change in students | Acts as a role model for students |
6. Educational Significance
- Creates a positive classroom climate
- Enhances student motivation and participation
- Improves academic achievement
- Strengthens teacher–student relationships
- Promotes moral and social values
Conclusion
Teaching is the process and teacher behaviour is the core force that gives life to that process. Effective teaching depends largely on positive, democratic, and empathetic teacher behaviour.