My Learning Philosophy

My beliefs about learning are simple. Based on my educational experience, I believe learning is sequential, linear, and happens through a logical procedure. When learning, I read a specific text, reflect on it, and the knowledge acquired in resolving a problem. From my perspective, the step of reflection is the most crucial part of the learning process. How I perceive learning as a teacher has a significant influence on how I develop the learning environment.

I believe that teaching and learning are intertwined, inseparable processes. Effective teaching is challenging, purposeful and related to the students' experiences, backgrounds, and stages of development. Teachers should strive to develop healthy relationships with students to ensure the success of the instructional and learning processes (Xie & Derakhshan, 2021). As a teacher, I strive to create an enabling learning environment where there is open communication between the educator and learners. I teach students new topics by giving examples and giving instruction. The learners have opportunities to ask questions on the topics they do not understand. Thus, I recognize my role as a teacher to develop healthy relationships with students to ensure they attain quality and relevant education.

As a learner, I believe that teachers should provide adequate learning material and resources to facilitate the discovery of new content. Effective learning would require the collaboration between learners and teachers to develop an enabling classroom environment. When teachers provide new content, students have a role in interrogating it and reflecting on it to ensure better understanding.

Although a teaching philosophy is applied in the same context as a learning philosophy, I believe they are different. A teaching philosophy is a teacher’s self-reflective statement of their beliefs about learning and teaching. On the other hand, a learning philosophy is the beliefs of students and teachers about learning. Teaching philosophy and learning philosophy are connected by the interaction between teachers and students.

My learning philosophy is aligned with the constructivist and cognitive approaches. As a constructivist, I encourage students to participate in the active process of constructing meaning in real-life situations and problems. I create an environment where students can socially construct knowledge with their peers. The main theorist of constructivism I relate with is Jerome Bruner. Bruner developed discover learning that requires learners to discover information and relationships for themselves (Clark, 2018). The role of a teacher is only to provide learning material and resources for learners to discover the information, either collectively or individually.

As a cognitivist, I focus on providing instruction and explanation of new topics and contents. Further, I offer examples of how students can apply the new knowledge in real-life situations. Jean Piaget developed the cognitive theory, which describes and explains the development of mental states and thought processes. According to Piaget, understanding emanates from discovering new content (Çeliköz et al., 2019). Therefore, teachers should actively engage students in learning activities to ensure they acquire new knowledge.

The cognitive and constructivist approaches I employ in my learning philosophy are consistent with the goals of my innovation plan. The plan proposes implementing blended learning in the classroom to ensure learners have meaningful experiences. Through the blended learning program, students will have opportunities to engage in learning activities while at home using an online platform. The online platform is designed to allow students to have a personalized and systematic approach to reading instruction (Prescott et al., 2018). As a teacher, I will provide adequate resources in the platform to ensure smooth learning. When the students come to the classroom, I will encourage them to reflect on the content they learned on their own to ensure better understanding. Besides, the learning philosophy also influences me to serve as a change agent for my students. I will actively engage the students in discussions and give them examples of how to apply new knowledge to solve practical problems.

In conclusion, I have gained a lot of experience as both a student and a teacher. I believe that teachers should have the skills and knowledge to develop suitable learning environments that can support student success. Teachers should serve as change agents to ensure learners have the right learning materials to acquire new information. While reflecting on my learning philosophy, I have understood the values needed by students and teachers to ensure effective teaching and learning processes.

References

Çeliköz, N., Erişen, Y., & Şahin, M. (2019). Cognitive learning theories with emphasis on latent learning, gestalt and information processing theories. Journal of Educational and Instructional Studies in the World, 9(3).

Clark, K. R. (2018). Learning theories: constructivism. Radiologic Technology, 90(2), 180-182.

Prescott, J. E., Bundschuh, K., Kazakoff, E. R., & Macaruso, P. (2018). Elementary school–wide implementation of a blended learning program for reading intervention. The Journal of Educational Research, 111(4), 497-506.

Xie, F., & Derakhshan, A. (2021). A conceptual review of positive teacher interpersonal communication behaviors in the instructional context. Frontiers in Psychology, 2623.

Annotated Bibliography:

This book explains the basic concept of learning is the main viewpoint in the Cognitive Learning Theories as it refers to mental processes that eventually bring about learning in an individual. The objective of this study is to analyze and present the approaches to learning in relation with the processes in brain.

Clark, K. R. (2018). Learning theories: constructivism. Radiologic Technology, 90(2), 180-182.

Constructivism is among the biggest learning ideas ever implied in the learning sector. The main focus should be on students if educational reforms are to succeed. Constructivism is well known for its contribution to the student-centered method of learning. The theory purposes to explain how students acquire knowledge and learning processes.

Harapnuik, D. (2021, November 10). Four Keys to Understanding Learning Theories. Harapnuik.org. Retrieved from https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=6344.

This source served as the introduction to the various learning theories. It helped me to understand why I am a cognitivism and other learning theories.

This article examined the implementation of a blended learning program for literacy instruction across kindergarten through Grade 5 in a Title I urban elementary school, including a population of students (18%) who are English learners.

Xie, F., & Derakhshan, A. (2021). A conceptual review of positive teacher interpersonal communication behaviors in the instructional context. Frontiers in Psychology, 2623.

The approach empowers learners and helps them apply the knowledge and skills that they have acquired. The author finally distinguishes the approach from other learning approaches that are used.