Formation and Meaning of "Jiaoxue"

The concept of jiaoxue(teaching-and-learning) takes a central place in the system of educational theory.This concept,which is elaborated by Chinese scholars and applied in mainland educational practice,has clearly-defined content and boundary.It is able to explain and guide complicated pedagogical activities reasonably and sufficiently.The formation and meaning of the concept follows an international way of development.It also inherits traditional Chinese idea of unifying teaching and learning,while at the same time absorbs Western scientific research findings and learns from the pattern of the former Soviet Union.It is under this background that the present teaching-and-learning system has come into being.Apparently,the essence of the concept lies in the unification of teaching and learning.But there are some phenomena in today's pedagogical practice and reform that make us concerned.For example,when people advocate the importance of students' creativity,they often depreciate or even neglect the necessity of teacher's leading role;they sometimes even hold an isolated,man-manipulated,labeled emotional,attitudinal and moral education;they sanctify students' personal experience and promote students' personal understanding and comprehension in class.The present paper proposes to avoid these drawbacks,and value and cherish our traditional legacy while learning from the West.