Level of Teaching

The level of teaching is the desired level of thinking that a teacher aims to achieve in their students.

There are 3 levels of teaching

1: Memory level
2: Understanding level
3: Reflective level

Memory Level of Teaching

The first level of teaching is Memory Level of Teaching. It is also called thoughtless teaching. Johann F. Herbart, a German philosopher and founder of pedagogy as an academic disciple, was the exponent of Model of Memory-Level Teaching.

At Memory Level of Teaching, the focus is on memorization. It is usually used in lower classes. The instructional arrangement is such that the learner is helped in cramming the content presented to him. Here, the teacher gives factual material which students memorize without understanding it.

In this level, the teacher presents factual information before the learner. The learner tries to cram and mug up these facts with the least involvement of his thinking and reasoning power without any care of the understanding of their meaning and application. The learner is supposed to retain the information as long as possible and to reproduce (recall or recognize) it when needed.

The whole efforts in such teaching act then revolve around the acquisition of the factual information or knowledge through rote learning.

Understanding Level of Teaching

The main proponent of Understanding Level of Teaching is H. C. Morrison. The teaching at the Understanding Level is of higher quality as compared to the teaching at Memory Level.

Teaching-learning at this level emphasizes the comprehension of the meaning by giving large number of positive and negative examples to explain any concept.

It is more useful and thoughtful as it focuses on the mastery of the subject. Teaching at this level is done to develop intellectual behavior and help to promote seeing of relationships among facts. Learners become more capable to think and present the facts in good manners. They also analyze the facts properly and draw inferences.

Teaching-learning at the Understanding level emphasises seeing solitary facts in relation to general principles. It involves exploration, presentation, assimilation, organisation and recitation through oral presentation or in the form of written paper.

Reflective Level of Teaching

Reflective Level of Teaching is also known as “introspective level of Teaching” or “exploratory understanding”. Hunt is the main proponent of Reflective Level of Teaching. It is the highest and the most practical level of teaching.

This level basically involves the use of scientific methods to understand the problems.

The Reflective Level of Teaching is highly thoughtful and useful. A learner can achieve this level only after Memory Level and Understanding Level.

Students at this level develop curiosity, interest, inquiry and persistence which culminates in a scientifically determined conclusion or solution of a problem. Teaching-learning at Reflective Level involves careful and critical examination of an idea or problem through problem-Solving Approach.

Written By: – Pooja Singh