The Ethics of Teaching and Educational Approaches from the Perspective of Avicenna

The purpose of writing this article is to express the views of Avicenna about the professional ethics of teaching and educational approaches. The present study, utilizing a qualitative approach and a descriptive, analytical method and by using the existing resources, tries to infer and analyze Avicenna's opinions on the necessities of the profession of a teacher and its educational approaches. Based on the findings of analyzing his views, it is essential for every skillful teacher to possess good and moral traits in both individual and social aspects and should try to purify and educate his/her own soul before starting to educate the others and should be alert to tactfully deal with all his/her affairs in life. A teacher should begin to educate others only after getting to know the students and ought to base all his/her conducts on religious teachings and chivalry. Finally, it is expected from such a teacher to obtain a high degree of skillfulness in guiding and educating others. Also based on Avicenna's school, a teacher should teach the students in groups, using encouragement and punishment, through exercising and repetition, playing games, self-refinement and by showing compassion to the students.