KVS Recruitment (PGT/TGT/PRT) Educational Perspectives and Teaching Methodology Syllabus

What is the 'heuristic method' of teaching?

A discovery-based method (introduced by H.E. Armstrong) where students are placed in the position of discoverers, finding facts themselves through investigation rather than being told.

Define the term 'pedagogy' versus 'andragogy'.

Pedagogy is the art/science of teaching children. Andragogy (Malcolm Knowles) is the theory and method of teaching adults, emphasizing self-direction and experience.

What is microteaching and approximately how long is a microteaching lesson?

A scaled-down, simplified teaching situation (developed at Stanford, 1963) where a trainee teaches a small group (5-10 students) for a short time (5-10 minutes) to practice one specific skill.

State the steps of the microteaching cycle.

Plan, Teach, Feedback, Re-plan, Re-teach, Re-feedback (the 'teach-reteach' cycle).

Name at least five core microteaching skills.

Skill of introduction (set induction), questioning/probing questions, explanation, illustration with examples, stimulus variation, reinforcement, blackboard writing, and closure.

What are the steps of Herbartian lesson planning (Herbart's five formal steps)?

1) Preparation/Introduction, 2) Presentation, 3) Comparison/Association, 4) Generalization, 5) Application (some add Recapitulation).

What are the main components a teacher writes in a lesson plan?

Learning objectives, teaching aids, previous knowledge, introduction/motivation, presentation (with content and methods), evaluation/recapitulation, and assignment/homework.

What does the RCEM approach to lesson planning emphasize?

The Regional College of Education, Mysore approach emphasizes writing objectives in behavioral terms and designing input, output, and feedback components based on Bloom's taxonomy.

What are the three domains of Bloom's Taxonomy of educational objectives?

Cognitive (knowledge/thinking), Affective (attitudes/emotions/values), and Psychomotor (physical/motor skills).

List the six levels of the original cognitive domain of Bloom's Taxonomy (lowest to highest).

Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation.

List the six levels of the REVISED Bloom's Taxonomy (Anderson & Krathwohl, 2001).

Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, Create.

What is classroom management?

The set of techniques and skills teachers use to keep students organized, orderly, focused, attentive, and academically productive while minimizing disruptive behavior.

What are the main approaches to classroom management based on teacher control?

Authoritarian (high control), Permissive (low control), and Authoritative/Democratic (balanced control with warmth) — the authoritative approach is considered most effective.

What is 'proactive' versus 'reactive' classroom management?

Proactive management prevents misbehavior in advance through rules, routines, and engaging lessons. Reactive management responds to misbehavior after it occurs.

What does the term 'classroom discipline' through positive reinforcement involve?

Encouraging desired behavior by rewarding it (praise, recognition, privileges) so that the behavior is repeated, rather than relying on punishment.

What does ICT stand for in education, and give two examples of its use in teaching.

Information and Communication Technology. Examples: smart/interactive boards, online learning platforms (LMS), educational apps, projectors, and virtual classrooms.

Name two major Indian government ICT-in-education initiatives/platforms.

SWAYAM (online courses/MOOCs), DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), e-Pathshala, and the SWAYAM PRABHA DTH channels.

What does MOOC stand for, and what is an example platform in India?

Massive Open Online Course; in India the main platform is SWAYAM.

What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous e-learning?

Synchronous learning happens in real time with live interaction (live video class). Asynchronous learning is self-paced with no real-time interaction (recorded lectures, forums).

Define 'blended learning'.

An instructional approach combining traditional face-to-face classroom teaching with online/digital learning components.

What is the difference between hardware and software approaches in educational technology?

Hardware approach uses machines/equipment (projectors, computers, TV) for instruction. Software approach uses principles of psychology and programmed learning to design teaching-learning material and strategies.

What are the three main types/forms of educational technology?

1) Hardware technology (teaching machines), 2) Software technology (programmed instruction principles), 3) Systems approach/instructional design technology.

In Edgar Dale's Cone of Experience, which type of experiences are at the base (most concrete) and which at the apex (most abstract)?

Base (most concrete) = direct, purposeful (real) experiences; Apex (most abstract) = verbal symbols (words). Retention is highest for concrete, doing-based experiences.

What is the classification of teaching aids into audio, visual, and audio-visual? Give an example of each.

Audio aids: radio, audio recordings. Visual aids: charts, models, maps, blackboard. Audio-visual aids: television, films, computer/multimedia presentations.

What is the difference between projected and non-projected teaching aids?

Projected aids require a screen/projector (slides, OHP, films, LCD projector). Non-projected aids do not (charts, models, blackboard, real objects, flashcards).

What is the 'systems approach' in educational technology?

A scientific, step-by-step method of designing instruction by analyzing objectives, learners, resources, and feedback to optimize the entire teaching-learning system.

What is the difference between formative and summative evaluation?

Formative evaluation is ongoing assessment during instruction to monitor and improve learning. Summative evaluation is conducted at the end to judge overall achievement (e.g., final exam).

What does CCE stand for and what does it emphasize?

Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation; it emphasizes regular, ongoing assessment of both scholastic (academic) and co-scholastic (attitudes, skills, values) aspects of a student.

What is constructivism as a teaching approach?

A learner-centered approach where students actively construct their own understanding and knowledge through experience and reflection, with the teacher acting as a facilitator rather than a transmitter of facts.

What is the difference between teacher-centered and learner-centered (child-centered) approaches?

Teacher-centered focuses on the teacher delivering content (lecture, rote learning). Learner-centered focuses on student activity, participation, discovery, and individual needs, with the teacher as a facilitator.