Teaching and Pedagogical Content
Teaching in general defines any form of activity that imparts a skill or information to another person for learning. Pedagogical content refers to information that makes up effective teaching. It is information on the kind of difficulties encountered by students as they try to learn specific topics; potential strategies that are useful in aiding students in overcoming challenges. Expert teachers understand the kind of difficulties likely to be faced by a student; they know how to make new knowledge meaningful by utilising the student's existing information and follow how to assess the progress of the student. Expert teachers have both content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. Textbook publishers are relied on by teachers to make decisions on the subject organisation for students (Bransford, Brown, Cocking " National Research Council, 1999). This situation happens when the teacher lacks pedagogical content knowledge.
Teacher-based Mindsets
Teacher-based mindsets exist at different stages. A novice teacher has a fixed mindset and is not empowered. At this stage, the teacher does not realise he or she does not know what is to be done. This teacher's reactions and teaching rely on the experiences the teacher had when they were students (Stabile, 2017). They believe that expert education is not a continuous process but a final point. An average teacher has a mindset that is somewhat empowered and has begun to grow but with some fixations. These teachers recognise their lack of knowledge on what is to be done (Stabile, 2017). This knowledge allows them to use reflective thinking to try and figure out their assumptions.
Growing Mindset and Masterful Teaching Orientation
A good teacher possesses a grown mindset and a masterful teaching orientation. This mindset is becoming empowered, and therefore, the teacher knows how to change and what to do (Stabile, 2017). However, some effort is required in asking for assistance and thinking about what should be done. A good teacher is reflective and makes adjustments. Finally, a great teacher has an entirely empowered mindset along with an open teaching orientation (Stabile, 2017). This teacher owns the practice of teaching and practices teaching as second nature. Their focus is on the student, and they use a critical reflective method. This teacher is open to other ways of practising and thinking.
References
Bransford, J., Brown, A. L., Cocking, R. R., " National Research Council (U.S.). (1999). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press (Chapter 2: How experts differ from novices)
Stabile, C. (2017). Discovering the great teacher in you: A guide to mindset and practice. Port Saint Lucie, FL: Woodbridge Learning Press.
