Who propounded the concept of 'Micro Teaching' in education?
Detailed Explanation & Solution
📌 Core Theoretical Concept:
The concept of 'Micro Teaching' in education was propounded by Dr. Dwight W. Allen (D.W. Allen) in 1963 at Stanford University, USA. Micro teaching is a scaled-down teacher training technique designed to simplify the complexities of regular classroom teaching. In this method, a student-teacher teaches a small group of students (5 to 10) for a short duration (5 to 10 minutes) focusing on a single specific teaching skill (such as probing questioning, reinforcement, or black-board writing). It incorporates a continuous cycle of Teach, Feedback, Re-plan, Re-teach, and Re-feedback, ensuring systematic skill mastery. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
📊 Key Exam Points:
- Origin & Progression: Developed at Stanford University in 1963 by D.W. Allen; later introduced in India by D.D. Tiwari (1967) and expanded significantly by educational thinkers like B.K. Passi.
- B.K. Passi (Option a): Known for his extensive work on micro-teaching skills in the Indian educational context.
- B.F. Skinner (Option c): Renowned for Operant Conditioning and Programmed Instruction, not micro-teaching.
- John Dewey (Option d): Pioneer of Progressive Education and the philosophy of 'Learning by Doing'.
📖 Theoretical Reference: Micro-teaching bridges theoretical pedagogy and practical classroom execution through behavioral modification techniques. Explore more core concepts under Teaching Methods & Pedagogy.
🎯 Exam Perspective: Key Insights for Teacher Exams Detailed Solution ➔
Deep Pedagogical Analysis:
Questions regarding the founder of micro-teaching (D.W. Allen), the standard duration, and the sequence of the micro-teaching cycle frequently appear in teacher certification tests (CTET, UPTET, Super TET). Candidates must remember that micro-teaching is a teacher-training procedure, not a method of teaching school children. Understanding its feedback mechanism helps in pedagogical questions related to formative assessment and classroom management.