Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviour in Teaching and Education

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Aliza Hasnain

July 21, 20264 min read

Three main things help teachers do their job well: Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviour. These are often called KSBs. Together, they make a teacher effective in the classroom and help students learn better.

What are Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviour (KSB)?

Knowledge

Knowledge is what a teacher knows about their subject, how children learn, and how to teach. It's the foundation that helps teachers design lessons, assess students, and understand how to help students succeed.

Examples of Knowledge in Teaching:

Understanding how kids grow and learn at different ages.
Knowing the subject you teach, like math, history, or science.
Familiarity with the curriculum (the plan for what students should learn).
Knowing how to assess students' progress.

Skills

Skills are what a teacher can do with their knowledge. It's how teachers use their understanding to help students learn. Skills include managing a classroom, talking to students in a way they understand, and using different teaching methods to meet students needs.

Examples of Skills in Teaching:

Managing the classroom to keep students focused and respectful.
Explain things clearly so students understand.
Adjusting lessons to help students who learn differently.
Testing students to see what they've learned.

Behaviour

Behaviour refers to how a teacher acts in the classroom. It's about showing respect, patience, and good attitudes and values. How teachers behave helps create a positive and supportive classroom environment.

Examples of Behaviour in Teaching:

Being patient and understanding with students.
Being on time and prepared for lessons.
Showing excitement and interest in the subject and in helping students succeed.
Creating an atmosphere where students feel safe, respected, and included.

Why KSBs Matter in Teaching

Teachers with strong knowledge, skills, and positive behaviour can help students learn better and enjoy their education. These three things work together to make teaching effective.

Helping Students Learn Better
When teachers know their subject (knowledge), can explain things clearly, keep students engaged (skills), and behave in a kind, respectful way (behaviour), students are more likely to succeed in school.
Teacher Development
Teachers grow and improve over time by building their knowledge, improving their skills, and reflecting on their behaviour. The more teachers work on these areas, the better they become.
Meeting Professional Standards
In many places, teachers have to meet specific standards to be successful. These standards usually focus on knowledge, skills, and behaviour, ensuring teachers are prepared to teach effectively and professionally.

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviour in Apprenticeship Programs

In apprenticeship programs, which teach people practical skills on the job, the focus is often on applying knowledge and skills in real situations. While teachers still need to understand their subjects (knowledge), apprentices are mainly learning how to teach in the classroom (skills) and how to behave professionally.

For example, an apprenticeship in teaching might include:

Knowledge: Learning about different teaching methods and what works best for students.
Skills: Practicing those methods in real classroom settings.
Behaviour: Acting professionally, being kind, and staying organised.

Key Differences between Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviour (KSB)

Here's a simple table to show how Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviour are different from each other:

Aspect	Knowledge	Skills	Behaviour
What It Is	What you know	What you can do	How you act and interact with others
Focus	Learning facts and ideas	Using what you know to help students	Acting in a respectful, professional way
Role in Teaching	It helps teachers understand what to teach	Helps teachers teach effectively	It helps create a positive, supportive classroom
Examples	Knowing the subject, understanding teaching methods	Explaining things clearly, managing the class	Being patient, enthusiastic, respectful
How It Develops	Learned through study and research	Learned through practice and experience	Developed through reflection and feedback

Conclusion

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviour (KSB) are the core things that make a teacher successful. A teacher needs to know their subject (knowledge), be able to teach well (skills), and act in a way that helps students feel respected and motivated (behaviour). By improving all three areas, teachers can create better learning environments and help students reach their full potential.

Want to learn more about KSBs in the assessment process? Our assessor courses including the Level 3 CAVA Certificate offer a range of learning modules to help you become an endpoint apprenticeship assessor for any renowned organisation.