What Is the Meaning of Microteaching?

Microteaching consists of evaluating teaching skills by analyzing recorded lessons.

Microteaching is a technique of practicing teaching. The lesson given is based on a single teaching skill observed during a limited time, such as one class session. A videorecording of the lesson is analyzed after the session, and the teaching skill is evaluated.

Six Steps of Microteaching

Microteaching involves six steps: (1) planning the the lesson's topic, (2) teaching the lesson using the targeted skill, (3) gathering feedback of the trainee’s performance, (4) re-planning to modify the plan according to the feedback, (5) re-teaching the lesson and incorporating the changes and (6) completing re-feedback based on the trainee’s modified behavior.

Positive Features

Microteaching is an efficient tool for developing and mastering specific teaching skills by modifying teaching behavior and employing real teaching situations. The complexity of the teaching process is reduced to observable and controllable teaching contexts that enable trainees to improve their techniques in a simple sequence of steps.

Drawbacks

Microteaching doesn't take into consideration the content of the lesson because it is skill-oriented. It is a time-consuming technique, and many trainees may not have the opportunity to practice the re-plan and re-teaching steps. It may also raise administrative problems because it requires special setting conditions and professional equipment.

References

• Brigade Institute: Definition and Meaning of Microteaching
• Educational Technology: Introduction to Microteaching