Quick answer
Micro teaching is a teacher training technique in which a trainee teaches a short lesson of about five to ten minutes to a small group, focusing on one teaching skill, such as questioning or explaining. After observed feedback, the trainee replans and reteaches. It was developed at Stanford University in the 1960s and is widely used in B.Ed programmes.
- Scaled down: short time, few students, one skill.
- Cycle: plan, teach, feedback, replan, reteach, re-feedback.
- Feedback is specific and based on observation.
- Skills are later combined in full lessons, called macro teaching.
What is micro teaching?
Micro teaching reduces the complexity of real teaching. Instead of managing a full class for forty minutes, the trainee teaches five to ten peers or students for a few minutes, concentrating on a single skill. This makes it easier to notice what works and improve quickly.
The method was developed at Stanford University in the early 1960s, associated with Dwight W. Allen and colleagues, and spread to teacher education programmes worldwide. In India it is a standard part of B.Ed practice teaching.
What is the micro teaching cycle?
- Plan. Choose one skill and prepare a short lesson plan focused on it.
- Teach. Teach the micro lesson to a small group while being observed.
- Feedback. The supervisor and peers give feedback on the skill, often using an observation schedule.
- Replan. Revise the lesson based on the feedback.
- Reteach. Teach the revised lesson to a different small group.
- Re-feedback. Receive feedback again to confirm improvement.
A timing commonly used in Indian teacher education is about 36 minutes for one cycle: teach 6, feedback 6, replan 12, reteach 6, and re-feedback 6 minutes. Your college may use a different schedule.
What are the main features of micro teaching?
| Feature | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Lesson length | About 5 to 10 minutes |
| Group size | About 5 to 10 students or peers |
| Skills per lesson | One |
| Content | A small, self-contained concept |
| Feedback | Immediate, specific, observation-based |
| Repetition | Reteach after feedback |
What is the difference between micro teaching and macro teaching?
| Aspect | Micro teaching | Macro teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Practise one skill | Teach a full lesson using all skills |
| Duration | A few minutes | A full period |
| Class size | Small group | Full class |
| Feedback | Immediate, focused on one skill | Overall, after the lesson |
| Stage | Early in training | Later, during practice teaching |
Trainees often move through link practice, combining two or three skills, before full macro lessons.
Which skills are practised in micro teaching?
- Skill of introducing a lesson.
- Skill of questioning, including probing questions.
- Skill of explaining.
- Skill of illustrating with examples.
- Skill of stimulus variation.
- Skill of reinforcement.
- Skill of blackboard writing.
- Skill of achieving closure.
Each skill is explained in our micro teaching skills guide.
How can B.Ed students do well in micro teaching?
- Pick a narrow topic you can teach fully in the time.
- Write the skill components into your plan so you remember them.
- Rehearse once with a timer.
- Make eye contact and use names.
- Ask the observer to note specific moments, not general impressions.
- Change one thing at a time when you reteach.
- Record yourself if permitted and watch it back.
Is micro teaching still useful for working teachers?
Yes. Schools use short, focused practice and peer observation as professional development, for example practising questioning techniques in a department meeting. Video recording and digital observation forms make it easier to run. Planning tools such as lesson planning software help teachers capture what they changed. See also teacher training.
Frequently asked questions
What is micro teaching in simple words?
Teaching a very short lesson to a small group to practise one teaching skill, then improving it with feedback.
Who developed micro teaching?
It was developed at Stanford University in the 1960s, associated with Dwight W. Allen and colleagues.
How long is a micro teaching lesson?
Usually about five to ten minutes. Many Indian colleges use six minutes for the teach and reteach phases.
What is the micro teaching cycle time?
A commonly used Indian cycle is 36 minutes: teach 6, feedback 6, replan 12, reteach 6, re-feedback 6.
What is link practice?
A stage between micro and macro teaching where trainees combine a few skills in a slightly longer lesson.
Is micro teaching done with real students?
Often with peers acting as students in training colleges, and sometimes with small groups of real students.
What is a micro lesson plan?
A short plan for one micro lesson, listing the skill, its components, the content, and teacher and student activities.