LEARNING PHILOSOPHY
Imagine if the only thing we had to do throughout the course of life was to learn, grow, build relationships with others and explore a world that is filled with education unknowns. A world filled with so much wonder. One where there are no limits but only possibilities! If I learned something new every day because my curiosity led me in those directions instead of having someone dictating what's "important" for me to learn, where or whom would I be?
LEARNING: WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU?
I'm convinced that learning is ongoing; it should be pursued with passion and joy. I think it is essential to continuously challenge oneself to learn new things and grow as a person. My perspective on learning is that it should be an enjoyable experience, not a chore or provoked by the mind of another. As long as you are ready to do your part, everyone can learn exponentially. I've been thoughtless enough in my life to think it was wise not to ask some questions because they were not worth the time of those in the know. But thankfully, I have been reconditioned to think otherwise.
Dr. Harapnuik's Educational Development Philosophy states that people learn best when intrinsically motivated. Mistakes have played a significant role in my learning path thus far. We all know that feeling. The feeling where your stomach drops and you realize you made a mistake. We've all been there, whether a small or large mistake. And guess what? That's okay! Our mistakes are a part of life, and we must take every opportunity to learn from them. Now, I tend not to beat myself up as much as I used to. I've now embraced mistakes because mistakes are inevitable and often necessary when learning something new. Despite my positive beliefs about learning in general, I also recognize that the process of learning can be challenging at times. It can be frustrating when we feel like we're not making progress or when we make repeated mistakes without seeming to improve. Nonetheless, I think these difficulties are outweighed by the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes with finally understanding something or mastering a new skill.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS: HOW BELIEFS ABOUT TEACHING AND LEARNING SHAPE OUR CLASSROOMS.
I believe that educating and learning are essential parts of the learning process. I think that a good teacher can facilitate learning by providing clear instructions and guidance while also creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and actively seeking out information. I also believe that it is important for teachers to adapt their teaching methods to meet the needs of individual students because no two students learn in the same manner. So it is important to adjust accordingly. That said, I do not think that teaching is the only factor involved in effective learning. Students must also take a proactive approach to their education, actively seeking resources and opportunities to exercise their knowledge and skills. Teachers and students must both play a role for real learning to occur in a meaningful and impactful manner.
I BELIEVE IN MYSELF AS A LEARNER
I would never have guessed that my beliefs about myself as a learner would change so much over the years. When I was younger, I thought being smart meant getting good grades and always knowing the right answer. Never truly understanding the concept of what produced the answer. Just get the right solution to obtain the highest average. But now, I realize there is so much more to learning than just getting good grades. The making of meaningful connections is key to learning and knowing. (Harapnuik, 2021) Throughout my learning journey, I have clearly understood the important elements that benefit my identity as a learner.
I believe that I am a competent learner who can process and understand information effectively. I am also confident in my ability to apply what I have learned to succeed. Furthermore, I believe my overall learning capacity can be enhanced through feedback and reflection, which often helps me identify areas where improvement is needed. Ultimately, I am motivated to continuously learn and grow as a learner to reach my full potential.
THE POWER OF BELIEF: WHY YOUR LEARNING PHILOSOPHY MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK
There is a big difference between a learning philosophy and a teaching philosophy. A learning philosophy focuses on the learner and their needs, while a teaching philosophy focuses on the teacher and their methods. A good learning philosophy will take into account different types of learners and how they learn best. It will also consider the various stages of learning and how to create an effective environment for each stage. On the other hand, a good teaching philosophy will focus more on specific methods and techniques that the teacher uses to convey information to students. Educators need to realize that we if expect to maintain any level of credibility and respect with our students, we can only ask our students to do things we are willing to do ourselves. Therefore, teaching should be based on research, evidence, and a connection with the topic to be most effective.
WHY I AM A CONSTRUCTIVIST!
Jean Piaget resonates with me because of his theory that people constantly construct their understanding of the world and that this process is never complete. Piaget also believed that people learn best when actively engaged in learning. I, like Piaget, believe individuals construct their understanding and knowledge of the world through experience and reflection. I feel with my heart and tend to do my best work when connected emotion is involved, so for me, learning is a "construction" of the individual, with their own will and motivation. I value collaboration and think it is essential to learning and accomplishing extraordinary things. I like the idea of people coming together to share their knowledge and ideas to create new meaning in life.
At the foundation, Constructivism believes that learners construct their knowledge and understanding through their experiences and interactions with the world. This theory has a lot of implications for educators, who need to create opportunities for their students to explore, discover, and make meaning out of what they're learning. It's also important to provide scaffolding and support so students can build on their prior knowledge and develop a deep understanding of their exploring concepts.
I relate to the constructivism learning philosophy because I believe that we all construct our understanding of the world based on our experiences. As a result, we all have different perspectives and worldviews, and through our interactions with others and the world around us, we gain new knowledge and understanding. Therefore, I think it's essential for everyone to have opportunities to explore, discover, and make meaning out of what they're learning.
The constructivist approach to learning has helped me develop my thinking framework by focusing on achieving my aspirations and collaborating with others. Therefore, I believe these skills are essential for students to succeed in today's world and tomorrow's.
WHY I RESONATE WITH THE CONSTRUCTIVISM LEARNING PHILOSOPHY.
Constructivism emphasizes the importance of the learner's active involvement in learning. I feel that this is an important factor in ensuring that students can learn and retain information effectively.
Constructivism focuses on collaboration and social interaction. I believe these elements are essential in helping students develop solid relationships and work together effectively.
Constructivism focuses on problem-solving and critical thinking. We learn best when we are actively participating in the formation of knowledge.
CONNECTING THE DOTS: HOW LEARNING THEORIES CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR STUDENTS
The most profound statement within the learning philosophy written by Dwayne Harapnuik is that teaching and learning are two very different things. Teachers impart knowledge, while learning facilitators help students construct new ideas and make meaningful connections.
One thought from Dr. Harapnuik's Educational Development Philosophy was that people learn best when motivated by something intrinsic (i.e., a personal interest or desire to improve their knowledge and skills). The text also emphasizes the importance of aligning learning outcomes with activities and assessments to create a compelling and integrated learning experience.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEARNING PHILOSOPHIES AND CHANGE AGENT ROLES
My personal experience as a student very much influences my learning philosophy. I have always advocated for incorporating video-based morning announcements into early childhood learning environments because I believe it is a great way to engage young learners and get them excited about coming to school each day. As a change agent, I would work to promote this innovation by collaborating with teachers and administrators to create engaging and informative videos that would be shown each morning during breakfast or other suitable times. Doing so can create a more positive school climate where students feel excited and engaged in their learning from the start of the day to the end.
CONCLUSION
My learning philosophy has significantly impacted my role as a change agent. Through the enactment of my implementation plan, I believe that students will have another outlet to become more actively engaged in their learning, and one way to do this is through the use of video-based morning announcements. By collaborating with others to create engaging and informative videos, we can help promote a positive school climate where students feel excited about coming to school each day.
To build upon the development that I have created thus far, I continue to add new content to my portfolio on a regular basis. I am also adding more links within pages and blogs, and building subpages to existing content. This helps to keep my portfolio fresh and relevant and makes it easier for readers to find the information they are looking for. Additionally, I am always looking for ways to improve the overall design and functionality of my portfolio.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Haave, N. (2015, October 23). Developing students' learning philosophies. Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/developing-students-learning-philosophies/
In this article, the author describes how she has her students develop their learning philosophies during the first week of class. The author also provides a template for them to fill out. The template provided includes sections on why they are in college, what type of learner they consider themselves to be, and what kind of environment is conducive to their learning. The author argues that having students articulate their own beliefs about learning helps them take more ownership over their education and leads to more productive discussions in class. The article includes a helpful exercise that teachers can use with their students to help them begin thinking about their philosophy of learning.
Harapnuik, D. (n.d.). Learning Philosophy. Harapnuik.org. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=95
In his article, "Learning Philosophy," Dr. Harapnuik discusses the importance of learning philosophy better to understand the world and our place within it. He also discusses some of the major branches of philosophy. Dr. Harapnuik explains how philosophy can help us to think more critically about important issues and make better decisions in our lives. He also argues that studying philosophy can lead to personal growth and development. As this is a well-written and informative article, it provides an excellent introduction to the study of philosophy.
Harapnuik, D. (n.d.). Educational Development Philosophy. Harapnuik.org. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=4639
This article provides an overview of Dr. Harapnuuk's beliefs about education and its potential to transform lives. He draws from his experiences as well as research in the field of education. Dr. Harapnuik argues that education should be about more than just acquiring knowledge. He believes that education should also promote personal development and social responsibility. Dr. Harapnuik also argues that all students should have access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Harapnuik, D. (n.d.). Who Owns the Eportfolio. Harapnuik.org. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6050%20
The article discusses how, even though students are completing the work for their portfolios, they often do not own the ideas and are not making meaningful connections. This is due to instructors simply assigning what they want from the student without taking into consideration deeper learning. This can be a problem when it comes to deeper learning and making meaningful connections. In order to combat this, educators must give students a choice in ownership, voice, and authentic learning opportunities. Furthermore, teachers need to model appropriate behavior by creating and showcasing their own ePortfolios.
Learning Theory Project Team of HKU. (n.d.). Theories Constructivism. Constructivism. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://kb.edu.hku.hk/theory_constructivism/
In this article, the author states that Constructivism is a learning theory that suggests that learners create their understanding of the world they live in. Constructivism as a paradigm or worldview builds on the ideas of Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Jerome Bruner, John Dewey, and many other primary theorists. It claims that knowledge is constructed when information comes into contact with existing schemes developed by our unique set of experiences and beliefs. There are two types of constructivism- social and cognitive. Social constructivists believe that learning is a social process where people learn through conversation and interaction with others. Cognitive constructivists believe that individuals actively construct their understandings through experience.