Nature of Teaching: UGC NET Paper 1 Notes and Study Material

Teaching is the act of assisting students to learn. Teachers employ various ways of making lessons enjoyable and simple to comprehend. They describe ideas, pose questions, and direct students in learning exercises. Teaching is not merely providing information; it's ensuring that students comprehend it. Teachers also inspire students to think and investigate new concepts. A good teacher is patient, innovative, and encouraging. The purpose of education is to facilitate students' growth, learning, and preparation for the future. 

Teaching and learning are one of the most important topics in teaching aptitude for UGC-NET Paper 1. Every year at least one question comes from the basic nature, objectives or functions of teaching and learning, which could be answered easily by understanding the basics of important topics. It is advised that aspirants should cover concept and nature of teaching in detail.

In this article, the readers will be able to know about the following topics:

• Introduction to Teaching
• Nature of Teaching-Explanation
• Nature and Characteristics of Micro Teaching
• Nature of Teaching Learning Process

Download UGC NET Paper 1 Important Questions PDF

Introduction to Teaching

Teaching is usually referred to as the means of interaction between a teacher (mostly the knowledge imparter) and the student (mostly the knowledge gainer), for their mutual benefit of the exchange of knowledge. Both the teacher and the learner/student have their own personal objectives of participation in this teaching process.

There are mainly three main elements involved in the teaching process teacher (who teaches), the student (who learns or gains knowledge) and the content which is getting exchanged between both of them.

Nature of Teaching-Explanation

Teaching is a process of educating students to acquire new knowledge. Teaching is helping students learn, guiding them towards understanding and recalling significant concepts. Teaching is necessary because it causes students to advance and mature in various ways. Also, the nature and characteristics of teaching and learning go hand in hand.

Interaction

Interaction is everything in teaching. Teachers transfer knowledge, and students pose questions and provide responses. This exchange of information both ways enables the students to learn more. Teachers are able to know what students need assistance in when they listen to them. Students also learn from one another through discussions. Effective interaction increases learning fun and efficiency.

Guidance

Guidance is teaching students through the process of learning. Teachers make students comprehend new concepts and teach them about problem-solving. They challenge students to think for themselves and to study subjects independently. Teachers support students when they are struggling or stuck. With guidance, students can gain confidence in themselves. This allows them to develop into independent learners.

Motivation

There is also teaching students to get the best out of them. Teachers motivate learners to work best. Teachers induce curiosity and passion for learning among students. The teachers reward and compliment students so that they continue to be fascinated. Motivated students are willing to engage in class and achieve well in class. Students learn harder and gain satisfaction when encouraged. Motivation enables students to achieve their optimum.

Creativity

Teachers employ creativity to make the learning process enjoyable and engaging. They employ games, stories, and activities to assist students in comprehending lessons easier. Creativity in teaching enables students to think differently and solve problems. Creativity in teaching also makes learning more appealing and keeps students attentive. Creative teachers are able to adjust lessons in a manner that is helpful to all students. Creativity in learning makes it enjoyable and enables students to retain what they learn.

Flexibility

Instruction is adaptable, and this is to imply that teachers are able to adjust their teaching based on their students' needs. Sometimes the students need more help, and teachers are able to change their lesson plans. Sometimes students learn more quickly than expected, and teachers are able to give them advanced work. Flexibility helps all students acquire knowledge in the most effective way possible for them. Teachers also adjust their teaching if something is not paying off. This makes the learning more effective for all. 

Evaluation

Instruction includes evaluating how effectively students are learning through evaluations. Teachers administer quizzes, tests, and assignments to determine what students comprehend. Evaluations assist teachers in knowing where students require additional assistance. Teachers also provide feedback to assist students in progressing. Teachers should evaluate students on a regular basis. This will assist them in ensuring students learn the correct things and can proceed with their studies.

Micro teaching is a method of teaching in which teachers rehearse their lessons on a small level. It means teaching a brief lesson to a small number of students. Micro teaching assists teachers in enhancing their skills in a secure and controlled setting. Meaning and nature of teaching is to be studied first before knowing micro teaching.

Nature of Micro Teaching

Micro teaching is a means through which teachers rehearse teaching prior to performing it before a whole class. Teachers typically teach briefly, such as 5 to 10 minutes. It enables teachers to concentrate on particular skills such as clarifying ideas. The lesson is usually video-taped so teachers can view and refine. Teachers also get feedback from others in order to improve. Micro teaching enables teachers to become more confident and ready for actual classrooms.

Micro Teaching Characteristics

A characteristic of micro teaching is that it is limited to a few students. This is manageable and enables teachers to rehearse without being overwhelmed. Another characteristic is that the lessons are brief, typically lasting between 5 and 10 minutes. Teachers are able to concentrate on a single aspect of the lesson, such as asking questions or explaining a concept. Micro teaching is also adaptable since teachers are able to rehearse various methods. Finally, teachers have the opportunity to reflect upon their teaching and enhance it after every rehearsal.

Nature of Teaching Learning Process

The teaching-learning process is the process through which teachers facilitate students to learn new things. It entails much communication between students and teachers. The aim is for students to comprehend and remember what they are taught.

Interaction

The teaching-learning process depends on interaction between the teacher and the students. Teachers clarify lessons and respond to questions, whereas students express themselves and seek assistance. This two-way communication helps students comprehend more. When teachers listen to the students, they are able to assist them more. Students learn from one another during discussions. Interaction makes learning more engaging and enjoyable for all.

Active Participation

Active participation on the part of students is critical in the teaching and learning process. Active participation engages students through asking questions, debating ideas, and attending classes. Through the engagement in a lesson, the students learn adequately. The use of activities such as group activity or games helps teachers engage the students. Through active participation, students remember for a long duration.

Feedback

Feedback is a critical component of the learning-teaching process. Teachers provide feedback to students so that they can do better in their work. The feedback informs students of what they have done right and where they can do better. It makes students aware of their errors and learn from them. Teachers also receive feedback from students to know whether they need to adjust their mode of teaching. Feedback aids all to grow and learn.

Learning Environment

The learning environment is the place where learning and teaching occur. It may be in a classroom, on-line, or anywhere that students are studying. A good learning environment creates a sense of safety, comfort, and willingness to learn for students. Teachers ensure the space is quiet, clean, and enjoyable. Students can pay attention and have fun when they are in a positive learning environment. A good environment ensures students perform their best.

Motivation

Motivation is what excites students into learning. Educators motivate the students to be curious and engaged in what they are studying. Motivated learners study harder and have more fun in class. Educators rely on praise, rewards, and engaging activities in motivating the learners. When students are motivated, they become confident in their strengths. Motivation enables learners to achieve their greatest potential in acquisition of knowledge.

Collaboration

Collaboration in learning and teaching is when students work together. Group work enables students to share ideas and learn from one another. Teachers promote students to assist each other with problems and projects. Collaboration helps students learn how to communicate and solve problems as a team. It also makes learning more enjoyable and creative. When students work together, they develop teamwork skills that benefit them in school and life.

Conclusion

We all are aware of the fact that learning is a part of everyone’s day-to-day life, but we ignore the fact that unknowingly we also spread the knowledge we have in some or the other way which involves us in a teaching process as well. This process is a very vital part of everyone’s lives and so the various aspects of it should be very deeply understood by us. The nature of teaching as well as learning is also to be understood so that a better impact is created on the learners. For teaching and learning to be dealt with better maturity we need to understand their importance as it helps our development as well as the development of society as a whole. This process helps in the upliftment of society and humankind in general. The teaching concept is a very interesting topic to be studied.

Nature of teaching is a vital topic per several competitive exams. It would help if you learned other similar topics with the Testbook App.

Major Takeaways for UGC NET Aspirants Overview of Teaching: Teaching is the process of assisting someone in understanding new information. The nature of teaching is explained as a two-way process in which students learn from their teachers and the instructor distributes knowledge. Micro teaching's nature and characteristics include practice teaching in a tiny classroom to help teachers improve their instruction. The nature of the teaching-learning process is the way in which students and teachers collaborate to teach and learn.

Nature of Teaching Previous Year Questions

1. Which of the following set of statements best represents the nature and objective of teaching and learning?

Options. A. Teaching is like selling and learning is like buying.

1. Teaching is a social act while teaching is a personal act.
2. Teaching implies learning whereas learning does not imply teaching.
3. Teaching is a kind of delivery of knowledge while learning is like receiving it.
4. Teaching is an interaction and is triadic in nature, whereas learning is an active engagement in a subject domain.

Ans. B, C and E