Micro-teaching
Although microteaching has long been used as a professional development tool in in-service teacher training programs, teacher trainees seldom take this training seriously. At least this is the situation in Egypt. This attitude greatly diminishes the usefulness of microteaching, which can be beneficial.
Microteaching helps teachers to better understand the processes of teaching and
learning. It provides teachers with ample opportunities to explore and reflect
on their own and others’ teaching styles and to acquire new teaching
techniques.
Microteaching can be defined as a training context in which a teacher’s
situation has been reduced in scope or simplified in some systematic ways.
There are three ways in which teaching may be scaled down:
The teacher’s task may be simplified and made very specific.
The length of the lesson may be shortened. The size of class may be reduced.
This article addresses microteaching as an inservice tool, and how school-based microteaching can be beneficial to all involved in the learning and teaching processes.
Origin and development
Microteaching, as a training technique, began at Stanford University in the
early 1970s. It was first applied to teaching science, but later it was
introduced to language teaching. The theoretical basis for the Stanford
approach was initially related to the psychological theory of behaviorism.
However, it is more valid to see microteaching as a technique for professional
reflection than as a technique for shaping behavior.
Why microteaching
Besides being an effective technique for professional growth, microteaching, as
a tool for reflection, helps teachers scrutinize their own teaching in order to
discover their strengths and weaknesses. Reflecting on their own teaching
styles enables teachers to focus on certain areas of teaching and to view them
from different perspectives.
It also makes teachers conscious of developing their own skills and strategies
in order to understand their teaching. Through microteaching teachers are able
to pursue self-initiated, self-directed, and self-observed growth. This growth
comes about because teachers are able to criticize, either positively or
negatively, their own work.
Stages of microteaching
There are four distinct stages of microteaching. In the briefing, teachers
receive information on the skill to be practiced and the method to be used.
During the teaching stage, the trainee teaches the microlesson, and if
possible, the micro-lesson is videotaped or audiorecorded. In the analysis and
discussion period, the trainee’s microlesson is reviewed, discussed, analyzed,
and evaluated. Finally, in the reteaching stage, the trainee reteaches the
microlesson, applying those points raised during the discussion and analysis.
Preparing a microlesson.
The microlesson can be prepared by an individual or a group of teacher
trainees. The objective and procedures of the microlessons should be clear. A
variety of aids may be used to facilitate teaching the microlessons. These may
include cards, actions, gestures, and drawings on the board. The lesson should
last from five to ten minutes.
Teaching a microlesson
This is the interactive stage of microteaching where the trainee puts into
practice what the group has planned. The teacher’s task in microteaching is to
practice one skill at a time. The size of the class is usually fewer than ten
students, sometimes only four or five. Students may be real students or fellow
trainees.
Microteaching should be in a school setting, because it allows teachers to use
real students. Also, school-based microteaching creates a positive atmosphere
among participants.
Although the lesson is short, it should generate useful discussions. During the
teaching, fellow trainees take notes that they can use during reflective
discussions. This is especially useful if the students are also trainees
because the experience provides insights into learning problems. To reduce the
pressure on the teacher, the role of the supervisors should be minimized. They
should not interfere with the microlesson in any way.
Observation during the microlesson is a learning experience. Fellow teachers
should prepare for this task by selecting a focus and purpose, and a
method of data collection and by cooperating with those involved.
Following up the microlesson.
The follow-up should include analyzing, discussing, and interpreting the data
and the experiences acquired, and reflecting on the new experiences.
Conclusion
Some people argue that microteaching is both a risky and costly procedure. It
is risky in that trainees or inservice teachers may be exposed to criticism by
their colleagues and/or supervisors. There are also costs involved both in the
resources that may be used and the amount of time the microteaching absorbs.
However, microteaching should be considered a positive experience because it
aids in the gradual development of professional expertise and minimizes the
risk of failure in the classroom.
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