Describe the humanistic approach to teaching and explain how it differs from the behavioral approach. Note the current contributions of Nel Noddings to the humanistic approach

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The humanistic approach focuses on the importance of the teacher's understanding of each student's needs, values, motives, and self-perceptions. In order for students to reach their potential, they need to feel accepted and understood by a teacher who has a genuine interest in them. Teachers who use this approach strive to create supportive and caring classroom environments. The behavioral approach to instruction, on the other hand, does not recognize the role of attitudes, needs, values, or self-perceptions in the learning process. Rather, it focuses on implementing the conditions that make it highly likely that a desired response will occur in the presence of a particular stimulus.
Nel Noddings is a contemporary theorist whose arguments for and description of the caring classroom are consistent with humanistic principles. She believes that students are more motivated and learn more in classrooms that satisfy their physical needs; are clean and maintained; promote meaningful and pleasurable learning experiences; avoid the use of sarcasm, humiliation, and fear as tools to control behavior; capitalize on students' interests; promote the development of character; and teach students how to get along with others.