Principles of Teaching
Dr.M.Deivam
Assistant Professor
Department of Education
The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University)
Gandhigram, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu – 624 302
Principle of Definite Goals and Objectives
• A teacher needs to prepare objective that is
“explicit formulation of the ways in which
students are expected to be changed by
educative process” (Bloom, B. S.). Without
clear objectives and goals, teaching is
directionless. Objectives help teachers to
remain focused and on track.
Principle of Planning
• Quality of teaching depends upon the
quality of planning. The desired goals are
achieved through it. During planning phase,
teacher needs to design objectives and
accordingly plan content, methods and
techniques of presentation, interaction and
evaluation.
Principle of Flexibility
• In a classroom, if one method or technique
is not working, a teacher should be flexible
enough to switch to another one. This
requires teachers to be resourceful,
imaginative, original and creative for
adapting to the requirements of the students
and environment.
Principle of Prior Experiences
• The maxim of teaching also says that good
teaching moves from known to unknown.
There should be connection between prior
and new knowledge for facilitating teaching
that helps in achieving desired objectives
with ease and economy.
Principle of Child-centeredness
• The main objective of teaching is to bring
desirable changes in behaviour of the child.
The attainment of this objective depends
upon the application of child-centered
approach. The planning, implementation
and evaluation of teaching act should be
centered around the child.
Principle of Recognizing Individual Differences
• In nature, no two beings are alike. Every
individual varies from others on ground of
intelligence, attitude, traits, behaviours,
abilities, socio-economic background, etc.
This principle suggests teachers to
understand individual learners and provide
instruction accordingly.
Principle of Real Life Context
• Everyone learns best when provided with
the life like examples, situations and
surroundings. The same applies in teaching
too. Therefore, teaching should be linked
with the necessities and events of actual
life of the students.
Principle of Correlation with other Subjects
• The inclusion of every subject in school
curriculum has different objectives. These
subjects must be integrated together for
better learning outcomes. Every subject
should be correlated with other subjects
for better transfer of learning and
utilization of knowledge of one subject in
the field of other.
Principle of Effective Strategies and
Instructional Materials
• Product of teaching is dependent upon the
input and processes involved for the same.
So, teacher needs to select appropriate
teaching strategies and meaningful
materials suitable for learners’ needs, topic
and instructional objectives.
Principle of Active Participation
• Teaching is not a one-way process where
students are passive listeners and teachers
act as authority. The active participation
helps in realizing the objectives more
effectively. It can be done through
application of different strategies.
Principle of Utility
• Teaching is an integral element of education that
supports the principle of utility which focuses on
making learners able to utilize the material learnt
to improve their conditions of living (NCERT, 2014).
Principle of Conducive Environment
• The provision of conducive environment is
prerequisite for meaningful learning. The
factors like seating arrangement,
ventilation, light, group dynamics,
classroom interaction, discipline, etc.
influence the teaching learning process.
Thank you

Principles of teaching

  • 1.
    Principles of Teaching Dr.M.Deivam AssistantProfessor Department of Education The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University) Gandhigram, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu – 624 302
  • 2.
    Principle of DefiniteGoals and Objectives • A teacher needs to prepare objective that is “explicit formulation of the ways in which students are expected to be changed by educative process” (Bloom, B. S.). Without clear objectives and goals, teaching is directionless. Objectives help teachers to remain focused and on track.
  • 3.
    Principle of Planning •Quality of teaching depends upon the quality of planning. The desired goals are achieved through it. During planning phase, teacher needs to design objectives and accordingly plan content, methods and techniques of presentation, interaction and evaluation.
  • 4.
    Principle of Flexibility •In a classroom, if one method or technique is not working, a teacher should be flexible enough to switch to another one. This requires teachers to be resourceful, imaginative, original and creative for adapting to the requirements of the students and environment.
  • 5.
    Principle of PriorExperiences • The maxim of teaching also says that good teaching moves from known to unknown. There should be connection between prior and new knowledge for facilitating teaching that helps in achieving desired objectives with ease and economy.
  • 6.
    Principle of Child-centeredness •The main objective of teaching is to bring desirable changes in behaviour of the child. The attainment of this objective depends upon the application of child-centered approach. The planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching act should be centered around the child.
  • 7.
    Principle of RecognizingIndividual Differences • In nature, no two beings are alike. Every individual varies from others on ground of intelligence, attitude, traits, behaviours, abilities, socio-economic background, etc. This principle suggests teachers to understand individual learners and provide instruction accordingly.
  • 8.
    Principle of RealLife Context • Everyone learns best when provided with the life like examples, situations and surroundings. The same applies in teaching too. Therefore, teaching should be linked with the necessities and events of actual life of the students.
  • 9.
    Principle of Correlationwith other Subjects • The inclusion of every subject in school curriculum has different objectives. These subjects must be integrated together for better learning outcomes. Every subject should be correlated with other subjects for better transfer of learning and utilization of knowledge of one subject in the field of other.
  • 10.
    Principle of EffectiveStrategies and Instructional Materials • Product of teaching is dependent upon the input and processes involved for the same. So, teacher needs to select appropriate teaching strategies and meaningful materials suitable for learners’ needs, topic and instructional objectives.
  • 11.
    Principle of ActiveParticipation • Teaching is not a one-way process where students are passive listeners and teachers act as authority. The active participation helps in realizing the objectives more effectively. It can be done through application of different strategies.
  • 12.
    Principle of Utility •Teaching is an integral element of education that supports the principle of utility which focuses on making learners able to utilize the material learnt to improve their conditions of living (NCERT, 2014).
  • 13.
    Principle of ConduciveEnvironment • The provision of conducive environment is prerequisite for meaningful learning. The factors like seating arrangement, ventilation, light, group dynamics, classroom interaction, discipline, etc. influence the teaching learning process.
  • 14.