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Why activity based teaching in the classroom?

Teaching and learning is a complex process having a unique relationship of teacher and student. In this process teacher is considered a person having knowledge and student is considered as the receiver of that precious piece of knowledge. The teacher and student relationship is a kind of eternal relationship since the inception of human race in this material world and it will continue till the existence of this material world. It is the only formal source or medium through knowledge is transferring from generation to generation. Previously it was considered that the task of a good teacher is to transfer maximum quantity of knowledge in to the mind of a student. On the other hand, the job of the student was to receive maximum quantity of knowledge in the form of passive recipient. However, with the passage of time the concepts of teaching and learning change to meet the modern requirements. This change is a part of change in the social set up. For example, formerly horses were used as a means of transportation is now replaced by aero plane. Similarly war between two countries was faught by swords and arrows is now replaced by missiles and tanks. Therefore, change in teaching and learning is incumbent because we have to produce students to meet the challenges of the changing time. According to the new trends in teaching and learning there should be more room of interaction for students instead of passive recipient. Furthermore, the role of teacher is not only to transmit the knowledge but to facilitate the students in the process of learning and the role of student is to construct knowledge instead of passive recipient. The construction of knowledge takes place through the process of interaction with the material world. This interactive type of teaching and leaning is called activity based due to active involvement of the learner in the process. By reflection it reveals that these activities in the classroom not only performed for sake of knowledge or information but there are several social causes’ lies beneath these activities. For instance, “Group Work” is one component of activity based teaching and learning is very popular in to day’s classroom. According to the literature involvement in group activity encourages the students and they actively participate in the activity. As Bennett and Dunne (1992) say, “co-operative group work encourages children to take on more responsibility for their own work” (p.110). In group work a task is assigned three to five students to complete it within a given time. It is a kind of cooperative learning, where every student has the equal responsibilities in the black and white of the task. In this activity the main purpose is not only to solve the particular task but to develop a sense of cooperation among students. Students are not an alien creature coming from other part of the universe but they are an integral part of our society. Moreover, these students are the future leaders of our country and they have to perform their duties as a part of this society. Hence, the main purpose of the group work is to produce students with high sense of cooperation. Group work is not only the powerful tool for cooperative development among student but it also develops a sense of tolerance. If we observe and reflect deeply our society is lacking these two components such as cooperation and tolerance. More and more involvement in group activities enables the student to incorporate the elements of cooperation and tolerance in their routine activities of daily life. It is a fact that each recurring and repeated act becomes an integral part of the personality with the passage of time. Hence, through the process of group work we will able to produce an individual having the attributes of cooperation and tolerance. There are some meaning lies behind each and every activity made to conduct in the classroom. We should know the philosophy of each activity before application in the classroom. Allchin and Goodyear say, “Articulating an individual teaching philosophy provides the foundation by which to clarify goals, to guide behavior, to seed scholarly dialogue on teaching, and to organize evaluation” (web source). The lay approach of any activity in the classroom will cause no fruitful result and would remain just an activity.

Assadullah Khan
Student M.Ed 2009
Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED)
Karachi.