Teaching vs Learning
Teaching and learning are two distinct terms that should not be interchanged, as they have different meanings. Teaching refers to the act of giving lessons on a subject to a class or pupils, while learning refers to acquiring knowledge. This article will explore the differences between teaching and learning.
What is Teaching?
Teaching is the act of giving lessons on a subject to a class or pupils, with the goal of showing students how to do something. Teaching can be both formal and informal, with a school setting being an example of formal education. Teachers provide students with new knowledge in various fields, including mathematics, science, languages, arts, geography, history, and more. However, teaching is not limited to academic knowledge, as it also encompasses discipline and behavior. Teachers guide students to behave properly according to cultural and social expectations. To become a teacher, one must acquire specific qualifications.
In English, the word “teaching” can function as a noun or as the present and past continuous tense forms of the verb “teach.”
What is Learning?
Learning is defined as knowledge gained through study, which can include not only information but also skills, behaviors, and values. Humans engage in the process of learning from birth until death, encompassing not only school education but also life experiences. Psychologists believe that learning can be both a conscious and an unconscious effort. For example, a child who listens to a teacher in a classroom setting is engaged in conscious learning, while certain practices learned unconsciously may not be easily recognized.
The word “learning” is primarily used as a noun but can also function as the present and past continuous tense forms of the verb “learn.”
Key Takeaways
- Teaching refers to the act of giving lessons on a subject, while learning is the process of acquiring knowledge.
- Teaching is performed by teachers, while learning is performed by students.
- Teaching does not occur throughout a person’s life, but learning is a lifelong process that can be both conscious and unconscious.
