Is teaching a science or an art?

Answer 1

An art ANSWER Teaching has elements of both art and science. Asking effective questions so as to lead students to understanding and insight is an art, as is inspiring students to revel in the joy of learning. On the other hand, although teaching entails more than curriculum and instruction, meeting the four basic challenges of curriculum and instruction can be approached with evidence and reasoning, which are elements of science: 1. What information or skills do we want students to have as a result of the teaching-learning experience?

2. What learning-experiences should students encounter in order to reach the goals that have been set?

3. In what order should those experiences be structured?

4. How can we to determine whether -- or to what extent -- the students have reached the goals that were set? The science of teaching can be taught and learned. The art of teaching can be learned, but exactly how it can be taught does not seem to be at all clear.

Answer 2

A bit of both, in my opinion.