Teaching vs Learning
Teaching and Learning are two words that are to be used differently since there is a difference between the meanings. They should not be interchanged. The word teaching can be defined as the act of giving lessons on a subject to a class or pupils. For example, within a school a teacher carries out the process of teaching. On the other hand, the word learning is used in the sense of acquiring knowledge. Learning is undertaken by the student who wishes to broaden his understanding of various concepts pertaining to different fields. This is the main difference between the two words. Through this article let us examine the differences between teaching and learning.
What is Teaching?
Teaching can be defined as the act of giving lessons on a subject to a class or pupils. It aims at showing the student how to do something. Teaching can occur both formally and informally. Within a school, teaching takes place as formal education. The teacher teaches the student various things based on a syllabus. This includes mathematics, science, languages, arts, geography, history, etc. The aim of the teacher is to provide the student with new knowledge in various fields so that the child will be equipped with a lot of knowledge. However, teaching is not confined merely to the provision of academic knowledge. It also includes discipline and behavior as well. The teacher guides the student to behave in the proper manner, according to the cultural and social expectations. When looking at teaching as a profession, it is vital to state that one needs to acquire certain qualifications to become a teacher.
In the English language, the word teaching is used as a noun as in the sentences,
Teaching is a very good profession.
Teaching improves with experience.
In both the sentences, the word teaching is used as a noun. It is interesting to note that the word teaching can also be used as the present and past continuous tense forms of the verb ‘teach’ as in the sentences,
Francis was teaching at the university then.
Robert is teaching my son.
In the first sentence, the word teaching is used as the past continuous tense form of the verb ‘teach,’ and in the second sentence you can see that the word teaching is used as the present continuous tense form of the verb ‘teach.’
What is Learning?
Learning can be defined as knowledge gained through study. This does not necessarily denote the acquisition of information, but can also be skills, behaviors, values as well. Human beings engage in the process of learning from birth till death. Hence, it cannot be confined to school education, but captures the experiences in life as well. Psychologists believe that learning can be a conscious as well as an unconscious effort. For example, a child who listens to the teacher in a classroom setting is engaged in a conscious effort to learn something new. However, certain practices that we have may be unconsciously learned.
Now, let us move on to the usage of the word learning. Observe the two sentences given below.
Learning is a must for the growing child.
Robert is a man of learning.
In both the sentences, you can see that the word learning is used in the sense of ‘knowledge.’ It is interesting to note that the word learning is primarily used as a noun. In both the sentences given above, the word learning is used only as a noun. It can also be used as the present and past continuous tense forms of the verb ‘learn’ as in the sentences,
He is learning the art of painting.
Angela was learning music then.
These are the main differences between the two words, namely, teaching and learning.
What is the difference between Teaching and Learning?
• Definitions of Teaching and Learning:
• Teaching can be defined as the act of giving lessons on a subject to a class or pupils.
• Learning is used in the sense of acquiring knowledge.
• Performer:
• Teaching is performed by the teacher.
• Learning is performed by the student.
• Period:
• Teaching does not take place throughout a person’s life.
• Learning is a process that takes place throughout the lifespan of an individual.
• Effort:
• In most occasions, teaching is a conscious effort.
• Learning can be both a conscious and an unconscious effort.
• Motivation:
• For learning, motivation can come from within the individual or from external factors, such as teaching by another individual.
Images Courtesy:
- A teacher interacts with older students at a school in New Zealand by CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Learning by CollegeDegrees360 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
