What is the difference between the role of the teacher as instructor and the role of teacher as facilitator?

Back to: Learning and Teaching – Unit 2

Contents

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Role of Teacher as a Facilitator
  • • 2.0.1 Carrier of Knowledge
    • 2.0.2 Giver of Knowledge
    • 2.0.3 Evaluator of Knowledge
    • 2.0.4 Developer of Teaching Strategies
    • 2.0.5 Establish Learning Objectives
    • 2.0.6 Assesses Learning Needs
    • 2.0.7 Guide of the Learners
• 3 Conclusion

Introduction

The teaching learning process refers to the transmission of knowledge from the instructor to the learners. In the teaching learning process, the teacher plays the main role as the facilitator of knowledge. While transmitting the knowledge, the teacher has to take care of a lot of responsibilities so that the teaching learning process can be successful.

The role of teacher as a facilitator of knowledge is as follows:

Carrier of Knowledge

Teacher is the person responsible for imparting the knowledge in the classroom and in the teaching learning process due to which, teacher is referred to as the carrier of knowledge. It is their role and their duty to have the knowledge that they need to transmit to the learners.

Giver of Knowledge

Teachers should be able to have knowledge of the things they are imparting to the students. They can be referred to as the storehouse of knowledge. Due to this, it is the teacher’s role to give knowledge to the learners.

Evaluator of Knowledge

It is the teacher’s responsibility to make sure that the learners are comprehending what is being taught in the classroom. This is done through evaluation of the learners. Hence, the instructor evaluates the knowledge of the learners.

Developer of Teaching Strategies

To make sure that the teaching learning process is successful, a teacher should develop effective strategies for teaching in the classroom.

Establish Learning Objectives

Before going to the classroom, a teacher must set the learning objectives to achieve the learning outcomes of the teaching learning process successfully.

Assesses Learning Needs

It is important for the teacher to be able to assess the needs of the learners. Every learner is different and they have different levels of acquiring knowledge due to which the teacher must assess the learning needs of the learners.

Guide of the Learners

The teacher is the one who provides guidance to the learners after their family. Learners look up to their teachers as a role model. Therefore, teachers are also the guide of learners.

Conclusion

Teacher as a facilitator of knowledge is an approach which is teacher centered but focuses on the development of learners. The teacher imparts the knowledge and also evaluates the knowledge received by the learners.

When students ask questions and find the answers for themselves, they get involved in their own learning. Educational Dividends knows how powerful that can be for the student and the teacher. Educational Dividends also knows that creating a facilitative learning environment brings challenges for teachers.

First, teachers must adapt to a new way of teaching by managing more open ended discovery by students. This means shifting roles from a lecturer to a facilitator who provides resources, monitors progress and encourages students to problem solve. Teachers reap benefits when they see how excited their students are about applying their knowledge to solve a problem.

Second, facilitative learning requires that students do the work. However, many students, especially those who prefer to know “how to get an A,” are uncomfortable with the open-ended design of facilitative learning. They are not familiar with projects that require them to apply their knowledge and problem solve. So, at first, students can get frustrated. Teachers must teach students to manage their own learning. The result will be students who are more creative and able to apply their learning to life’s challenges. An added benefit is that teachers find once the shift to facilitative learning is implemented, students are more motivated in the classroom resulting in fewer discipline problems.

Third, facilitative learning requires students to apply their knowledge across subjects and that requires teachers in different disciplines to work together. Teachers feel comfortable managing their own classrooms but sometimes may not be used to working with their peers. Teachers must use facilitation skills to find positive ways of working on a single project with teachers in other disciplines. As a result, teachers find that working with their peers offers them more resources and ideas to share with students in their classrooms.