Nature of Teaching: What Teachers Need to Know and Do

Bethel T. Ababio

doi:10.31686/ijier.vol1.iss3.113

Authors

Bethel T. Ababio

University of Cape Coast

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol1.iss3.113

Keywords:

Concept of teaching, classroom competences, principles of teaching, pupil learning, phases in teaching

Abstract

Improving the quality of what happens in schools and preparing pupils/students for life in the 21st Century requires the highest quality of teaching. This article therefore focuses on professional classroom competences that every professional teacher should possess. It explores various scholarly definitions of teaching and time-tested principles of teaching and the classroom strategies available to teachers which when used judiciously will best assist pupil/student learning. The article will be useful for practicing teachers, student teachers, college and university lecturers, school-based in-service coordinators, advisory teachers and school mentors and head teachers. Though the prime aim of this article is to provoke discussion on the nature of teaching, its additional aim is to help the afore-mentioned stakeholders in the teaching enterprise reflect on their current practice and encourage them to ask questions about everyday classroom events.

Author Biography

Bethel T. Ababio, University of Cape Coast

Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education

References

B.T. Ababio, “Issues on the teaching and learning of geography at pre-tertiary levels”, Ghana Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports & Dance,1(2), University of Cape Coast, Ghana, 2009, pp. 66 – 80.

G.S. Callaghan, Successful teaching in secondary school, Scott Foreman and Company, Glenview, Illinois, 1966.

H. Colin, Teaching geography in Ghana, Ghana Publishing House, Accra, 1969.

C. Desforges, An introduction to teaching: Psychological perspectives, Wiley, John & Sons Incorporated, New Jersey, 1995.

J. Dewey, The Child and the Curriculum, University of Chicago Press, Chicago & London,1956.

J.S. Farrant, Principles and practice of education. Longman Group Ltd., London, 1980.

J.A. Frimpong, “Clinical supervision”, The Teacher, GNAT, Accra, Jan – March. 1990, pp 10 - 16.

C.S. Melby, Ghana primary school development, Ghana Publishing Corporation, Accra, 1994.

Min. of Education, Youth & Sports, White Paper on the Report of Education Reforms Review Committee, The Author, Accra, 2004.

M. Knott, & P. Mutunga, “Methods of teaching and learning”. In B., Matiru, A Mwangi, & R. Schlette(Eds.), Teach your best: A handbook for University lecturers: University of Kassel Press, Kassel, Germany, 1993, pp. 157 – 219.

A.B. Nilsen, & G. Albertalli, Introduction to learning and teaching infants through elementary age children, Delmar, New York, 2002.

E. Perrot, Effective teaching: A practical guide to improve your teaching, Longman. London, 1982.

A. Schlecty, The art of teaching. Prentice Hall Inc., New York, 2004.

L. S. Shulman, “Knowledge and teaching: Foundations of the new reform.” Harvard Educational Review, Harvard University Press, USA, Feb. 1987, pp. 1-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.57.1.j463w79r56455411

M.K. Smith, Educational development in Ghana, Unimax Publishers, Accra, 2004.

E.K. Tamakloe, Preparing for teaching practice and the process of teaching (3rd Ed.). Cape Coast, Winx Computers, 2005.

A.S. Thring, Education, manpower and economic growth, McGraw Hill, New York, 2001.