The authoritarian teacher places firm limits and controls on the students.
Students will often have assigned seats for the entire term. The desks are
usually in straight rows and there are no deviations. Students must be in
their seats at the beginning of class and they frequently remain there
throughout the period. This teacher rarely gives hall passes or recognizes
excused absences.
Often, it is quiet. Students know they should not interrupt the teacher. Since
verbal exchange and discussion are discouraged, the authoritarian's students do not have the
opportunity to learn and/or practice communication skills.
This teacher prefers vigorous discipline and expects swift obedience. Failure to obey the teacher
usually results in detention or a trip to the principal's office. In this classroom, students need to
follow directions and not ask why.
Used with permission of Department of Special Education, Indian University,
Terminology has been altered from the original to match trainings by Diana Browning Wright
For original, see: http://www.education.indiana.edu/cas/tt/v1i2/what.html
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At the extreme, the authoritarian teacher gives no indication that heshe cares for the students.
Mr. Doe is a good example of an authoritarian teacher. His students receive praise and
encouragement infrequently, if at all. Also, he makes no effort to organize activities such as field
trips. He feels that these special events only distract the students from learning. After all, Mr.
Doe believes that students need only listen to his lecture to gain the necessary knowledge.
Students in this class are likely to be reluctant to initiate activity, since they may feel powerless.
Mr. Doe tells the students what to do and when to do it. He makes all classroom decisions.
Therefore, his style does little to increase achievement motivation or encourage the setting of
personal goals.
One Middle-school pupil reacts to this teaching style:
I don't really care for this teacher. He is really strict and doesn't seem to want to
give his students a fair chance. He seems unfair, although that's just his way of
getting his point across