Module 1: Introduction

Teacher Types

Teachers have been typed in various ways by the roles they play in learning:

Expert: These teachers are recognized for their knowledge. They know something the learner wants to learn or should learn. These teachers view their own competence as their expertise.

Authority: These teachers have knowledge; they also have some authority over the learner. This may be a performance evaluation or grade. These teachers view themselves as the keeper of the professional standards.

Socializing Agent: These teachers chair the membership committee of the profession. Their role is to convey the professionalism standards for the profession and serve as the gatekeepers.

Facilitator: These teachers are not as concerned with their own expertise or professional role as they are with their skills as educators. The facilitator recognizes the learners as individuals with goals, they negotiate learning objectives and strategies and their success is defined in terms of the learner’s successes.

Role Model: These teachers stimulate learning by their enthusiasm and commitment to knowledge, skills and the profession. They share their experiences, biases and feelings with the learners. Learners want to emulate the role model teachers.

Can you identify teachers who have served each of these roles for you? Which of these roles have you played for someone?