Reflect on your philosophy of learning. Based on your education and experiences, what is your view about learning and how it occurs?

Based on my education and the experiences that I have had as a student and as a student of teaching (that’s an interesting way to phrase it), learning seems to be mostly one sided.  There is a teacher, or a book, or a video, that provides information.  As the student I would then learn that information, and then re-present it in a way that showed some sort of mastery.  It was the presentation of this information that sort of “proved” that I learned something.  Honestly–I don’t know that I disagreed with this version of teaching and learning until I read the articles for this week (perhaps I should have done this assignment first).

I’m glad I did it in this order though, because I don’t know that I even saw this as my learning “philosophy.”  It just how things were.  It was how I had been taught to teach, and also what I observed my teachers do as a student…so that’s how I was doing them too.  I don’t think this is what I actually agreed with or even felt was best (all of the time).  I think the ideal learning philosophy…and I don’t know if it has a name, I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way, is one that simply helps my students develop a love for learning.  I don’t care if it’s about English (but come ooon, let’s be honest!  How could it not be!  Romeo and Juliet, Huck Finn, BEOWULF…English is the bee’s knees), but as long as it’s about SOMETHING that they’re passionate about, or even if it isn’t something they’re passionate about…as long as they know how and when to find the information they need–I feel like I’m doing my job as a teacher.  Instilling that love and the ability to learn on their own, and not just in my classroom, is my ultimate goal.

If you are aware of any philosophies/theories of learning, which would you subscribe to? What is the role of the learner and the teacher in a learning environment?

I admit, when I saw this assignment I cringed.  I’ve been asked this questions before, the whole “what is your educational philosophy,” thing.  My what?  I mean, do I have to have this deep underlying philosophy nailed down about how and why I teach and want to teach, the way that I do?

Well, yes.  I suppose I do.  Because just like it’s annoying to have lesson plans (let’s just teach in the moment!!) the reality is, without a plan, you forget things.  In the case of an educational philosophy, I could easily forget that my goal, is to develop life long learners..and not just help my students locate the answers on their own for the test or quiz at hand.

So, then I went digging.  What is an educational philosophy.  Didn’t I learn about those once-upon-a-time?  This dude seemed to know.  So I read them over.  (I mean, I know it’s in an old text book around here somewhere–but Michael Babboni took really great notes, thanks, Michael.)

So, here’s what I found.

Essentialism-I subscribe to this philosophy the most often.  It fits like that old t-shirt you just can’t get rid of.

Perennialism-I pull this favorite pair of shoes out once in awhile, mostly in 1-on-1 sessions with students where I can really get to know them, and they can share a little more with me.  This is definitely my favorite learning style, but I don’t get to use it as often with all of my students, and not nearly as often as I’d like even in the 1-on-1 sessions.

Progressivism-this seems to happen infrequently, and when it does (if I’m being honest) I usually panic because we’re deviating from “the plan.”  Even though it’s usually really fun and the students love it!

Social Reconstructionism-Nope.  Not happening.  No way.  This is not my teaching style, haha.  I get uncomfortable talking about the real big issues, the big controversial topics in my classroom.  I hope that doesn’t make me a bad teacher.  I’m fine talking about them with my very close friends and family though, mostly because I wont be getting a call from their parents–or a call down to my boss, (I like to do things “by the book.”)  It isn’t that I don’t want to–I would actually love to!  I love having deep conversations, and I love learning about how my students feel about things!  But the fear of that call from mom or dad, or that call from the boss man, keeps me shying away from putting myself in these sorts of situations when possible.  Right now, our school has us teaching Huck Finn though…so, sometimes I’m pushed outside my comfort zone with this, and I know that’s a good thing as well.

Existentialism-Gosh.  Independent projects?  They might happen once or twice a year?  I think this is actually a huge part of how I truly believe teaching and learning should be happening–it just doesn’t always seem possible to fit in with all the other things required for the students.

The pattern seems to be (for now)–that in my mind–that the learner is the “absorber” of the information, and the teacher is the main means by which the information is transferred.

I’m very glad to be reflecting on all of this.  This doesn’t line up with my overall goal of creating life long learners much at all.  =(

How do you know if learning is occurring and what are visible indicators or signs of learning?

What I want to say:  I know that learning is occurring, then a student can take a concept that we’ve been talking about, and pull an example out of the air that we haven’t talked about–and get’s it all on his or her own.  For instance, in class right now we’re talking about fiction.  If a student can explain the elements of fiction based on a book or movie they’ve seen–that we didn’t talk about, I would be willing to bet they understand the concept and can apply it again and again.

What actually happens: The student will take a quiz, and later a test of the topic, and if they earn a 3.4-4 on our grading scale, they’ve proven they’re proficient on that topic.

What is the role of technology in learning?

Well, since I teach at an online school, the snarky answer would be that it’s the vessel for learning.

And it is, but really that’s just scratching the surface.  Technology is a gateway for learning!  At the end of your fingertips you can look up, dive in, explore, or interact with nearly limitless amounts of things online!  The topics and options with how to learn about something are nearly endless as well.  Whether or not a student chooses to see it that way, or take advantage of that seems to be up in the air, but I think that it’s our job as educators to at the very least, let them know what’s out there and how they can use it now, and in the future.

Technology, besides just giving information, also has an ever growing amount of learning tools.  Websites, apps, extensions, social media (and probably a bunch of other things I’m forgetting) allow students to learn differently, store things differently, read or watch videos about things in a different way…it’s truly amazing.  Tech. like Diigo, Readability, EasyBib, Duolingo, Google Classroom, etc. are constantly being developed and every day new and awesome things are available (and mostly for free).  If I can pass onto my students even part of that–even if it’s just the idea to keep looking for more out there–then I feel like I’m on the right track.