EFFICIENCY or EFFECTIVENESS?

Russel John M. Ronquillo

How do you see yourself as a Teacher? Are you efficient or effective? Which is better, an efficient or an effective teacher? How would you like to be described or remembered, an efficient or an effective teacher?

At a quick peep, effectiveness and efficiency in teaching is quite perplexing but upon examining, you will find out that these two qualities are related and both are important in teaching. An efficient teacher can exhibit efficiency in the manner things are get done, how the class is managed and how time-bound things are accomplished. A good example wherein a teacher can be called efficient is when he/she consistently comes and leaves his/her class on time, with well-prepared lesson plan, instructional materials, engaged time on task, and everything is organized regardless of output or result produced in the teaching-learning process. An effective teacher however, is a teacher who gives his/her best in teaching and able to make her students learn or master the skills and turned them meaningful, relevant and liberating. A teacher who reaches out to the learners and can make a difference in their lives.

Generally, efficiency and effectiveness in teaching are two different things. Efficiency means doing things right while effectiveness is doing the right things - Peter Drucker. These two concepts go hand in hand and should complement each other because it’s hard to be an effective teacher if you are not efficient. Likewise, if you are an effective teacher, most likely you are efficient. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that if you are efficient, you are effective but you have the chance to be one.

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The author is Head Teacher III at Diosdado Macapagal Memorial High

School