The basic pedagogical process can be defined as a systematic transfer of knowledge and - or skills from an instructor to a learner. Depending upon the basic objectives of the process, the transfer may be limited to cognition of facts or may be extended to application and extension of facts, their inter-linkages and derivative concepts.

Since the important players in this interaction are the instructor and the learner, the important determinants of the effectiveness of the process should include the instructor centric parameters, the learner centric parameters and the transaction centric parameters.

Instructor Centric Parameters

Instructor centric parameters revolve around the instructor’s ability to effectively transfer the skills / knowledge and ignite the curiosity and motivation of the learner to explore the area through active thinking and alternative knowledge sources.

• Level of the target knowledge / skill with the instructor
• Level of transaction skill of the instructor
• Ability to engage
• Ability to motivate
• Ability to transfer the knowledge / skill
• Ability to activate the curiosity of the learner
• Ability to answer related questions
• Ability to positively handle unrelated queriesMotivation level of the instructor
  

The level of target knowledge is to a great extent determined by academic achievements of the instructor. To ensure adequate target knowledge, it is important to not only go by the academic qualifications possessed by the instructor but also testing his actual level of knowledge through independent testing.

Transaction skills of the instructor depend upon the awareness of the learning process possessed by the instructor and his aptitude for teaching. A University degree in education provides adequate understanding of the learning process to the instructor. However, it is important to actually test the teaching aptitude of the instructor.

Motivation level of the instructor determines his level of proactive effort in ensuring effective learning. This depends upon the career goals of the instructor, his basic personality and behavioral traits. It is important to ensure that a sound synchrony exists between career objectives and opportunity and progression, the teaching profession provides.

Learner Centric Parameters

Learner centric factors determine the learner’s ability to grasp the target knowledge set in isolation as well as in the context of related concepts. This includes:

• Level of the pre-requisite knowledge and skills
• Level of inherent aptitude for the specific knowledge set
• Level of inquisitiveness
• Ability to process, analyze and link new information with what already possessed
  

Together, these factors determine the learning speed.