Ned. A. Flanders developed a system of interaction analysis to study what is happening in a classroom when a teacher teaches. It is known as Flanders Interaction Analysis Categories System (FIACS). Flanders and others developed this system between 1955 and 1960. Flanders classified total verbal behavior into 10 categories. Verbal behavior comprises teacher talk, student talk and silence or confusion.
It can be classified into ten categories.
- Teacher Talk – 7 categories
- Pupil Talk – 2 categories
- Silence or Confusion- 1 category
MEANING OF VARIOUS CATEGORIES
- Teacher Talk (7 Categories)
Category 1: Accepts Feelings
In this category, teacher accepts the feelings of the pupils. He feels himself that the pupils should not be punished for exhibiting his feelings. Feelings may be positive or negative.
Category 2: Praise or Encouragement
Teacher praises or encourages student action or behavior. When a student gives answer to the question asked by the teacher, the teacher gives positive reinforcement by saying words like ‘good’, ‘very good’, ‘better’, ‘correct’, ‘excellent’, ‘carry on’, etc.
Category 3: Accepts or Uses ideas of Pupils
It is just like 1st But in this category, the pupils ideas are accepted only and not his feelings. If a pupil passes on some suggestions, then the teacher may repeat in nutshell in his own style or words. The teacher can say, ‘I understand what you mean’ etc. Or the teacher clarifies, builds or develops ideas or suggestions given by a student.
Category 4: Asking Questions
Asking question about content or procedures, based on the teacher ideas and expecting an answer from the pupil. Sometimes, teacher asks the question but he carries on his lecture without receiving any answer. Such questions are not included in this category.
Category 5: Lecturing /Lecture
Giving facts or opinions about content or procedure expression of his own ideas, giving his own explanation or citing an authority other than a pupil.
Category 6: Giving Directions
The teacher gives directions, commands or orders or initiation with which a pupil/student is expected to comply with,
Category 7: Criticizing or Justifying Authority
When the teacher asks the pupils not to interrupt with foolish questions, then this behavior is included in this category. Teacher’s ‘what’ and ‘why’ also come under this category.
- Pupil Talk (2 Categories)
Category 8: Pupil Talk Response
It includes the pupils talk in response to teacher’s talk. Teacher asks question, student gives answer to the question.
Category 9: Pupil Talk Initiation
Talk by pupils that they initiate. Expressing own ideas; initiating a new topic; freedom to develop opinions and a line of thought like asking thoughtful questions; going beyond the existing structure.
- Silence or Pause or Confusion (1 Category)
Category 10: Silence or Pause or Confusion
Pauses, short periods of silence and period of confusion in which communication cannot be understood by the observer.
