They are closely related to maxims. Teaching methods are based on two types of principles, general principles and psychological principles.
General Principles
- Principle of Motivation: It creates curiosity among students to learn new things.
- Principle of Activity (Learning by Doing): Frobel’s Kindergarten (KG) system is based on this principle. It includes both physical and mental activities. For example, students are asked to make charts and models.
- Principle of Interest: By generating genuine interest among the learner’s community, the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process can be increased.
- Principle of Linking with life: Life is a continuous experience, and learning linked with life can be more enduring.
- Principle of Definite Aim: This is important for optimum utilization of teaching resources and making learning more focused.
- Principle of Recognizing Individual Differences: Every student is unique in terms of intelligence, attitude, abilities and potentialities, and socio-economic background. The teaching method should be devised in such a manner to make all students avail equal opportunities in life.
- Principle of Selection: The horizon of knowledge is expanding every single day. The teacher should be able to pick contents that can be more relevant and updated to the learners’ objectives.
- Principle of Planning: Every teacher has certain time-bound objectives, and hence, teaching should be systematic, to make optimum use of resources within the time limit.
- Principle of Division: To make learning easier, the subject matter should be divided into units and there should be links between the units.
- Principle of Revision: To make learning enduring, the acquired knowledge should be revised immediately and repeatedly.
- Principle of Creation and Recreation: This principle is a must to make the classroom environment humorous and creative.
- Principle of Democratic Dealing: It involves students in planning and executing different activities; it helps in developing self-confidence and self-respect among the learners.
Psychological Principles
- Principle of Motivation and Interest: A teacher needs to understand that every student is a unique psychological entity, and a student can be motivated after identifying his or her motives and needs.
- Principle of Recreation: Recreation is necessary to tackle fatigue after attending lengthy classes. This breaks monotony and prepares students for learning again.
- Principle of Repetition and Exercise: This is especially true in case of small children.
- Principle of Encouraging Creativity and Self-expression: This is specifically applicable in subjects such as mathematics and languages.
- Principle of Sympathy and Cooperation: This principle is required for the motivation of students.
- Principle of Reinforcement: Students should be suitably rewarded for their desired behavior.
- Principle of Imparting Training to Senses: The use of multimedia makes many senses get involves simultaneously, which is crucial for enduring learning.
- Principle of Remedial Teaching: This principle is necessary for the teacher to identify mistakes and suggest better answers to the problems.