PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING

LESSON 1

1. Introduction
Welcome to the most fulfilling and rewarding profession - teaching.
Being a teacher is noble, something that we teachers should be proud
of. As quoted by Garcia (1989) in his book Focus on Teaching, below is
a familiar charade that tells the nobility of the teaching profession:
A Tale in Heaven
St. Peter once again went into another round of screening souls whether they could
be admitted or not into the firmaments of heaven. Of course, he underscored the
importance of remarkable deeds as the sole basis for such selection. This first soul,
a doctor, reasoned out that he cured a lot of sick persons among whom were the
worlds leading celebrities and political figures. Not to be out shone, the second soul
who was an engineer sounded rather extremely boastful by saying that he built the
worlds known structures like towering buildings and awe imposing bridges.
Moreover, the third soul, a lawyer, recalled with great prides his glorious moments
of defending the oppressed right in his own trouble-ridden country. Such unjustlytreated ones include top-ranking opposition leaders, key labor figures, concerned
farmers as well as student activists. However, not one of them was able to impress
the seemingly hard to please St. Peter. At this point, the fourth soul approached
him and briefly remarked: I taught them all, including the doctor, the engineer,
and the lawyer. Definitely, at the moment, St. Peter knew that he had found the
most deserving of all, and that is the teacher!

However, assuming the roles and responsibilities of a teacher is not

that easy. It asks us to consider the various principles of teaching. An
anonymous writer writes, teaching is something that takes place only
when learning does. No matter what the teacher does, if his students
are not learning something significant, therefore, he is not teaching.

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The study of the principles of teaching, therefore, is important in
order for us to better adopt our instruction to the students individual
capabilities. These principles are the chief guides to make teaching,
and at the same time, learning effective and productive. Considering
the changes in the teaching-learning situation of the present world,
teachers must be guided with the sound principles of teaching
formulated from carefully observed facts and objectively measured
results. So, sit back, relax and enjoy doing the activities of lesson one.
In order to provide you with deeper insights and understanding about
the principles of teaching, lesson one contains the following topics:
Teaching Defined
Some Changes In Teaching
Principles of Teaching

Active Learning

Many Methods

Motivation

Well-Balanced Curriculum

Individual Differences

Lesson Planning

The Power Of Suggestions

Encouragement

Remedial Teaching

Democratic Environment

Stimulation

Integration

Life-Like Situations

Independence

Objectives
This lesson Principles of Teaching aims to make you familiar
with the various principles of teaching, and eventually, make you
truly appreciate the importance of the principles of teaching in
conducting an actual classroom teaching.
You are expected to finish the concepts of lesson one in one and
a half hours. But remember, your tutor will ask you to proceed
with the conduct of enrichment activities that will entail more
time for actual observation activities.
Give your best in going over this lesson. For sure, learning this
will definitely give you enough information and knowledge
regarding the fundamentals of the principles of teaching.

Lets get started!

(,)Good luck

2. Presentation
Teaching Defined
The Code of Ethics for Teachers and School Officials, Article IV,
Section 1 states:

All school official and teachers should feel

teaching is among the noblest professions. They should manifest

genuine enthusiasm and pride in their calling.

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The

unparalleled

nobility

of

the

teaching

profession

was

expounded by Garcia (1997) in his book Focus on Teaching. He

claimed that from it springs all other professions, trades and
vocations. From teaching born successful leaders of the nations,
great scientists of the world, powerful politicians, lawyers,
engineers, doctors, technicians, businessman, and the like.
Looking at the social context on the definition of teaching, it is a
social process, which takes place only when it brings out
effective and meaningful learning. According to William Kelly,
learning is the ultimate purpose of teaching and the true essence
of its success.

Teaching is also a science and an

Why do you think

so?

art(Eisner,1983 and Silberman,1966).

Teaching is a Science
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Teaching is an Art
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
To be able to complete the phrases, consider the
definition of science and art, then relate it to the process of teaching.

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How about your own definition of what teaching is?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Whatever you regard teaching, always remember that good
teaching is a matter of drawing out of information and
experiences rather than pouring in. We must regard the learner
not as a passive recipient of the wisdom but as an active,
thinking human being. Consequently, we should give our
students an opportunity to relate their experiences and opinions
rather than allowing them to just simply listen the whole session
of the class.

Some Changes In Teaching

Teaching dramatically changed in the present millennium. This
happened to suit the new conditions
and
about

learning
by

the

situations
21st

brought

century.

And

because of the emerging technology

of the present time, the field of
education

is

not

exempted

to

changes. Teaching now truly strengthens the teachers to be

more of a facilitator. Learners now prefer interactive learning.
They are fascinated to motion, animation, colors, sound effects,
and visual effects as seen in television and computer games. To
teach in todays information age, we as teachers need many
diverse competencies. Mastery of the subject matter is not

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enough. We should go beyond the walls of the classrooms.
Teaching now requires us to master the teaching and learning,
and to put together the mode of transmission (technology) in our
lessons in order to provide holistic learning experiences. The
teaching process today should include the how and the where
of integrating technology. Thus, the 21 st century with its
information technology oriented state gives way to a fast
changing society. The evolution of the various technologies
influences the field of education to re-shape our profession as
teachers.
Digital learning environment such as the Internet and Web,
digital fora, stimulators now defined the highly interactive
learning environment redefining as well the concept of teaching.
Classrooms are not the only venue of learning process. The
whole world is the classroom. Learners can travel around the
world at the flick of a mouse or even at the command of your
voice.
Teaching evolves from instruction to construction and discovery.
There is a growing shift from pedagogy the art, science and
profession of teaching to the creation of learning partnerships
and learning cultures. Rather than being places to teach, schools
have become places to learn. Teaching is the new century
underscores the more vital role of the teachers to create and
structure learning experiences, to reinvent traditional ways of
facilitating classroom learning, thus making flexible learning now
the norm.

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What is your idea about
Technology- enabled
education?

Can you think of technology being used in teaching today? What are
these?
Make some list below:
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
How does technology change the mode of instructional delivery
of the educational system? (You may use the concept of Open University
to state your answer.)

Principles of Teaching
The word principle comes from the Latin word princeps which
means the beginning and the end of all things. On the other
hand, the Greeks used the term not only to express the origin of
things but also to express the fundamental laws, and to put out
the ultimate objectives.
According to Websters dictionary, principles are comprehensive
laws or doctrines from which other are derived or on which
others are founded. Hopkins stated the definition of principles
as: rules for guiding the ship of education so that it will reach

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the port designated by the philosophy of education; it is a
compass by which the path of education is directed.
The above definitions clearly support that principles are general
truth or guiding norm by which a process (teaching) is carried
on.

These

are

psychological

laws

of

learning,

important

educational theories, governing laws or rules of facts and

generally accepted tenets.
Now let us take a look on the various principles of teaching taken
from the book of Gaudencio V. Aquinos Principles and Methods
of Effective Teaching:
Principle no. 1: ACTIVE LEARNING
The students must be mentally active most of the time and
physically active some of the time. Extensive physical and
mental activity o the teachers part will not necessarily guarantee
learning on the students part. In numerous learning situations,
the students learn better if they are engaged in some physical
activity while concentrating upon a mental task.
Principle no. 2: MANY METHODS
There is no single correct way to teach a class. There are many
good ways. The outworn assign, study and recite method is
disappearing as quickly as the one room school. A method,
which fails with one student, may be very helpful to another.
Principle No. 3: MOTIVATION
Effective motivation arises from students interests, needs,
problems and expressed purposes. Although we humans learn

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only what we want to learn, it is nevertheless true that relating
unknown

to

known

interest

can

develop

interest

in

the

unfamiliar. Teachers must start with students interest, needs,

problems and purposes but must go beyond their immediate
wishes to more worthy purposes.
Principle No. 4: WELL-BALANCED CURRICULUM
The curriculum should serve two purposes:
a. to provide essential skills for the students to enable him to
become a useful member of society
b. to satisfy the students personal and immediate needs
There should be blend and a balance of the two throughout the
days curriculum.
Principle No.5: INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Good

teaching

recognizes

individual

differences.

The

slow

learning student, the average student and the bright student

the three common categories have to be taught in different
ways. In addition to students intellectual differences, there are
differences in emotional, social, physical, spiritual, aesthetic and
moral development.
Principle No. 6: LESSON PLANNING
Units, lessons and activities must be well planned. Daily lesson
planning should be detailed, and classroom management made
routine. All planning should be flexible.
Principle No. 7: THE POWER OF SUGGESTIONS
Suggestions are more fruitful than dictations. Through the power
of positive suggestion, students are willing to undertake tasks

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and procedures, which they may have felt inadequate to tackle
before, or had not considered. Suggestions may be given as to
which books and materials to use, how to solve problems what
procedures to follow.
Principle No. 8: ENCOURAGEMENT
Daily help to the students in judging their own progress
characterizes

good

teaching.

The

teacher

indicates

where

progress is being made, both to the class as whole and to

individual students. Praise, given only when earned, makes
students aware of their successes.
Principle No. 9: REMEDIAL TEACHING
Good teaching is both diagnostic and remedial. In many
subjects, there are standardized and diagnostic tests available to
help pinpoint specific errors and weaknesses. Teacher made
instrument tests based on contents studied also indicate where
remedial teaching may be required.
Principle No. 10: DEMOCRATICE ENVIRONMENT
Students learn democracy by living it. In return for rights and
privileges within the classroom, students should be aware of
their responsibilities to the group and of group service.
Principle No. 11: STIMULATION
Each student can be stimulated within the limits of his abilities to
exceed his present efforts. Challenges can be provided through
teachers expression of confidence in her students own skills;
through provoking curiosity; and through encouraging creative
endeavor.

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Principle No. 12: INTEGRATION
By building upon previous knowledge and experience, new
learning

and

new

experiences

become

more

meaningful.

Learning involves a reorganization of previous experience and an

integration of what has been completed into the new learning
experience.
Principle No. 13: LIFE-LIKE SITUATIONS
Learners should be guided into realization that their studies and
activities are part of life. It is a sad fact that many learners fail
to see any relationship between the school and life situation. To
many of them, real life is outside the school. Teacher should
remedy this belief by pressing life-like learning problems for the
students to grapple with.
Principle No. 14: INDEPENDENCE
A students increasing independence from adults and everincreasing sense of responsibility are signposts of good teaching.
The degree of independence gained at any given time should
measure up with the maturity level of the child.
And that presents the concepts of this module. Now, to be able
to examine a real classroom setting where these principles of
teaching are applied, let us conduct an actual classroom
observation. Doing so can make your learning complete. So,
come on and take a look with the Enrichment Activity.

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How are principles of
teaching actually applied?
Enrichment Activities
To facilitate the understanding how principles are actually applied in
teaching, attend and observe a class of a public or a private school
teacher.
NOTE: The following will serve as pointers for successful observation:
1. All principles utilized by the professional teacher being observed should be
carefully observed and listed. The observer must be able to discriminate as well,
between the good and the bad utilization of principles.
2. Personal dislike for a certain kind of teaching, techniques or styles of teaching
utilized by the teacher should not influence the intellectual analysis of the observer. The
observer should not allow himself to be controlled by his prejudices even if those
prejudices are well founded.
3. The ability of the students, the class size, the nature of the subject, the condition of
the school and the training of the teacher should also be considered. The observer
must take into consideration the actual teaching and learning conditions. Watching a
teacher who is dealing with a small size class or a bright class will be more enjoyable
than watching a teaching dealing with a big or dull class.

Make a written report and be ready to discuss the results in the

class. Use this format in submitting your written report.
Teacher Observed: _________
Class Handled:_____________
Subject:__________________

School:__________

Principles of Teaching
Utilized by the Teacher

Instances where the principles

are used

1. __________________

________________________

____________________

3. Summary

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There are many principles of teaching we can choose from to

make our teaching effective. Considering these principles of
teaching can ensure teaching success. Always remember that
students are the center of the educative process, therefore, the
appropriateness of the principles of teaching to be utilized should
be based on the nature, needs, abilities, and uniqueness of our
students. Flexibility characterizes teachers who are recognizing
these principles of teaching.

4. Exercise
Matching Type. Match column A with column B. Write the letter
of your choice on the space before each number. You have 10
minutes to do this exercise.
A

__1. The students learning activities must be

strengthened by the teacher through presenting
life-like learning problems

a. many methods

__2. A method, which fails in one child may be very

helpful to another child.

b. active response

__3. the students must be mentally active most of

the time and physically active some of the time.

c. individual
difference

__4. Dictations make students unwilling to undertake

learning tasks and procedures.

d. lesson planning

__5. Good teaching recognizes the three commonest

categories of learners.

e. stimulation

__6. Children should be made aware of their

responsibilities in return for their rights and

f. power of
suggestion

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privileges.
__7. Activities must be well prepared to avoid waste
of time and effort

g. encouragement
h. life-like situation

__8. Learning involves the reorganization of previous

learning and combination of what has been
completed into the new learning

i. well-balanced
curriculum

__9. Praises make students aware of their successes.

j. democratic
environment
__10. Students should be challenged to exceed their
present effort

k. integration
l. remedial
teaching