I have been teaching for 20 years, and my passion is increasing every day. My students are
my biggest source of motivation. From being a novice to a learner and presently a teacher
Trainer, the journey has been amazing. As a Program Leader in Teaching and Learning, if
you ask me to describe effective teaching in one line, my answer will be that it’s the complete
understanding of “Theories of Learning” and Experiential Learning. If a teacher is thorough
with these, she will be her learners’ favourite.
A teacher should not be complacent about her teaching skills, regardless of the number of
years she has been teaching, for the simple reason that we are dealing with human behaviour,
and understanding the human mind is the most complex mathematical problem one can come across
(I am reminded of the movie “A Beautiful Mind ” and a stellar performance by Russell
Crowe). As an educator, never underestimate child psychology, regardless of your learner’s
age. This is where the magic of theories and practices of Humanism, Behaviourism,
constructivism, and Cognitivism comes in very handy for effective teachers.
“Humanism is a learner-centered theory that views humans as inherently good, with an innate
drive for growth and self-actualization. Key principles include emphasizing individual
autonomy, meeting diverse emotional and academic needs in a safe environment, and
facilitating self-directed learning that fosters holistic personal development. Pioneered by
figures like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, it stresses that learning thrives when basic
human needs are met, and learners are empowered to take control of their own educational
journey.” Taken from the internet
Humanism and behaviorism essentially focus on learners’ behaviour; teachers’ role in
understanding this is pivotal for a successful classroom and effective teaching practice. We
need to be keen observers and perceive things through experience. There is a discourse here.
At times, seasoned teachers may fail to identify a behavioral problem, while a novice can do
it in no time. As a teacher, I never teach straight, regardless of how many years I have taught
a particular batch of students. I greet my learners, and that’s the first step to a sneak peek into
their mental state. The way they respond to simple greetings can speak volumes. I have
always taught senior grade, and that experience is altogether different.
“Adolescence” insinuating learners go through a lot of new things. They are growing
physically, their physiology is changing, and so are their hormones. Their expected behaviour is
unpredictable. At times, a simple reaction from a teacher can turn their agitation into
exasperation. Humanism teaches us to talk to them, show empathy, compassion, and
kindness. For young kids and the pre-teen age group, humanism can work very well, but the
strategy needs to change for teenagers. While scaffolding is used as a tool for active learning,
it can even be used as bait to handle teenagers, especially their behavior. Classroom
management, discipline, and behavioral problems can be resolved to a large extent by taking
small steps in terms of counseling, talking to the child, giving assurance, and building trust.
Taking such initiatives can help a child to regain and build his confidence all over again. It is
a slow process yet very effective.
Cognition is the process of how human beings respond, react, process, analyze, synthesize,
and comprehend external stimuli; needless to say, different people respond differently. As
educators, we come across learners with myriad cognitive capacities and multiple ways of
processing information. The beauty of our brain is that it is neuroplastic, meaning that when
provided with the right stimuli, it can rewire, reorganize, and adapt to process information.
As a Program Leader in Teaching &Learning (PDQ), I learned about differentiation and
inclusive education, in which, through cognitivism and constructivism, we try to identify
different learner needs and use different techniques to cater to their needs, thus providing a
platform for inclusive education.
In conclusion, as an Educator, I would suggest that “Theories of Learning are underpinning
support for the education system. It’s important to know your learner and build effective
emotional support so that the child feels secure and safe the moment you enter the classroom.