In
classroom, teachers need a solid ground of knowledge to stand on. This solid
ground represents, in my opinion, in the teaching pedagogy as it includes the
knowledge that the teachers need in their classes.
The simplest definition of
pedagogy is the art of teaching. This definition shows that teaching is a
creative skill, which has a social side that is teachers' interactions with
their students. Watkins and Mortimer (1999) (as cited in Cogill,
2008) define it as ‘any conscious activity by one person
designed to enhance the learning of another’.
In this definition implicates that pedagogy is a planned procedures and
strategies that ensure avoiding haphazard actions. Leach and Moon (1999) (as cited in Cogill, 2008) described a Pedagogical
Setting as
‘the practice that a teacher, together with a particular group of learners
creates, enacts and experiences.’ Again, communication is considered as an
advantage of pedagogy. This definition ensures the active roles of learners that
pedagogical sitting provides. Cogill, (2008) suggests that this definition shows that the
learner has an active role and draws light on the social interaction between
teachers and learners. Garcia, (wisegeek.com) defines pedagogical teaching as
strategies that are used by teachers in the classroom to deliver the knowledge
of a subject depending on their skills. From this aspect, we can consider pedagogy
as knowledge in many different forms such as knowledge of the content, knowledge
of the teaching approaches, knowledge of the class management…etc. In the same
article she mentioned that these strategies might include choosing methods,
assessing learners, using outside resources from the society … Daw, (wisegeek.com) divided pedagogic skills into two types
classroom management (managing students behavior) and content-related (teaching content
effectively).
The aforementioned
information about pedagogy shows its significant and that it is comprehensive
for many other aspects in teaching situation such as planning, teaching methodologies
and assessment. That makes pedagogy, in my point of view, the base that any
teacher must have to accomplish teaching.
References:
Cogill J (2008). Primary teachers’ interactive whiteboard practice
across one year: changes in pedagogy and influencing factors. EdD thesis King’s
College University of London. Available at www.juliecogill.com
