THE NATURE OF TEACHING.

Having considered a number of definitions of teaching, we RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEACHING AND LEARNING are in a position to discuss the various aspects of the true nature of teaching. The three focal points of this process are the teacher, the child and the subject matter. There is a close relationship among the three ; in fact, teaching is the uniting force.

An illustration will make this clear. "The teacher teaches Sham history." Relationship among the three nouns has been shown. The verb 'teaches' links the teacher and sham together through the subject 'history'. This is then the first function of education. Teaching is the process by which the teacher brings the child(sham) and subject matter (History) together. These three are closely associated. We cannot have teaching if the three are not present. Of all the three. the teacher is most active agent in the process of establishing the relationship. To bring about this effective relationship, the teacher must understand his pupils on the one hand and have a thorough knowledge of this subject on the other. The relationship between the child and the subject suggest another aspect of teaching.

A chain of activities : Teaching, in general, is not confined to a single act or activity. It involves a chain of activities. The activities that comprise teaching are linked to one another in a systematic manner. one activity leads to another till the goal is achieved.

Causes Change in Behaviour : The goal of all teaching is desirable change in behaviour. This change in behaviour is the result of various activities performed during the course of teaching.

Intimate Contact : According to Morrison, teaching is an intimate contact between a mature person and an immature one. Once this contact or link is established, the resultant gain is in favour of the less mature person, that is, the pupil. The positive change in behaviour of the learners will result from cordial relations between the teacher and the taught.

Interactive process : Edmond Emidon calls teaching an interactive process while N.L. Gage calls it inter-personal process, This is true. This means teaching is not a one-way traffic. It is an interactive or interpersonal process. The teacher acts upon the pupils and is, in turn, acted upon by them. Teaching is modified in the light of pupil,s  reactions.

Teaching is giving information : There are so many things which the child does not know or cannot know. It is therefore, essential to provide some useful knowledge to the child, keeping in view his needs and capacities. It should be presented in a systematic and interesting way. However, we cannot impart knowledge to the child against his will. This throws light on another aspect of teaching.