P R E PA R E D B Y : A N A S , H A M Z A H & Z U L

TUTORIAL
WEEK 3

QUESTION 2:
Explain Concern Theory by Fuller (1969) and give specific examples for each of the
three teaching concerns
 FRANCES FULLER’S CONCERN THEORY (1969)

The primary assumption was that concerns about teaching are an expression of the needs to become a
more competent teacher. It involves the evolution of teachers’ concerns as they go through the stages of
concerns.

Fuller(1969) defined teacher’s concerns as perceived problems, worries, or frustration when focusing on
task or challenges.

Fuller developed a theory based on stages of concern in a teacher’s career. In Fuller’s theory, teachers
move through 3 stages of concerns: Self (Eg. Survival, self adequacy and acceptance), Task (Eg.
Students’ performance and teacher’s duties) and impact (Eg. Social and educational impact on the
system).

Fuller explained that a teacher could not move to the next stage of concern without first solving the
 FULLER’S
STAGES OF CONCERNS

STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3

SURVIVAL TASK IMPACT

SELF TIME/TASK PUPILS’

LEARNING
 SELF TASK IMPACT
Concerns with Concerns/focuses on Concerns on the impact
survival include: tasks in a teaching of their teaching on the
situation: pupils’ learning and
needs:
• Classroom management.
• Lessons/lesson plans.
• Mastery of content.
• Pupils’ performance • Social needs.
• Supervisor evaluations.
• Administrative task • Emotional needs.
• Demands and
• Classroom management. • Academic needs.
limitations of teaching.
• Materials and methods. • Maximising pupils’
• Learning to transfer
potential.
their own learning to a
classroom teaching
situation.
• Not knowing how to
respond to students’
needs.
 SELF TASK IMPACT

Questions: Questions: Questions:

• How am I doing? • Am I able to • Can I help my pupils

• Will the pupils like prepare a good in reaching their
me? English lesson? maximum learning
• Can I handle • Can I manage this potential?
discipline problems number of pupils in • Am I able to
in my class? my class? differentiate
• Do others approve • Can I finish the according to the
of my performance? task within the time needs of different
constraint? pupils?