Learning Philosophy
Learning is not perfect.
Learning is not linear.
Learning is not a spectator sport.
Learning is not black and white.
Learning is not only memorization.
Learning is not narrowmindedness.
Learning is not discriminatory.
Learning is not unyielding.
Learning is not solely based on learning styles.
Learning is growing.
Learning is creating & experimenting.
Learning is stepping out of your comfort zone.
Learning is asking questions, observing and listening.
Learning is exploring & traveling.
Learning is forming habits.
Learning is assimilating, adapting & adjusting schema.
Learning is transferring your learning.
Learning is problem-solving & thinking critically.
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According to research, learning is not based on learning styles, but more of a focus should be placed on cognitive abilities. Kirschner & vanMerrienboer (2013) describe that “There are at least three problems with putting learners in pigeonholes: Many people do not fit one particular style, the information used to assign people to styles is often inadequate, and there are so many different styles that it becomes cumbersome to link particular learners to particular styles.” Learning styles would more effectively be applied to content.
Learning is messy. There will be ups, downs, twists, and turns, never looking the exact same for one human being to the next. Learning is not about teaching to the test and only looking at the data to determine next steps or why a student may be struggling. Learning is about adapting to the generation and currently, that is incorporating 21st-century learning. It is not meant to be flawless. Mistakes, failures, and struggles are all a part of the process of learning. Iteration should be encouraged, modeled and facilitated.
Learning should be more than memorization and more about conditionalizing knowledge. Although, The book, How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School by Bransford, Brown, & Cocking (2000) mentions “people’s abilities to retrieve relevant knowledge can vary from being “effortful” to “relatively effortless” (fluent) to “automatic” (p. 44). They are all crucial pieces in the process of learning. Conditional knowledge is more about creating a deep understanding of concepts and transfer this learning to different contexts and environments.
Learning is not meant to create separation but should be about inclusion. Learning is not about looking at each child as one dimensional, but about connecting with your students and understanding where they come from. It is about understanding trauma, culture, race, gender, and the experiences these bring and impact it causes. People learn through observation and imitation which is what is described in Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory. Then this learning is followed with consequences, reinforcement or punishment. For example, Saul McLeod (2016) states, “If a child imitates a model’s behavior and the consequences are rewarding, the child is likely to continue performing the behavior.” This also connects to schema or the process of acquiring knowledge. Piaget “believed that people are constantly adapting to the environment as they take in new information and learn new things. As experiences happen and new information is presented, new schemas are developed and old schemas are changed or modified” (Cherry, 2019). Schemas play a signigicant role in the learning process. Learning is assimilating, adapting & adjusting schema. Schemas influence our attention, simplify the world and allow us to think quickly (Cherry, 2019).
I believe that learning is facilitated by teachers, family, social media, technology and more. Teaching and learning go hand in hand. As a teacher, my goal is to create open-minded, logical, independent, responsible citizens who are equipped with the necessary tools in whatever journey they go on next. As a special educator, it is even more important to me that learning is differentiated and universally designed. No one learns the exact same way as another. Family facilitates learning by creating a positive, safe and involved environment at home. Social media is a powerful facilitator or can be a serious impediment. Technology and social media can be used to spread knowledge and information, create collaborative environments and communicate with people you may otherwise never be able to speak or listen to. It gives opportunities for creativity and fosters critical thinking skills. All of these facilitators play a powerful role in my theory of learning. In our society today, it is more important than ever spread open-mindedness. It is now more than ever important to respect and understand how to communicate with others, especially those dissimilar from you.
References:
Bransford, J. L., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school (Expanded Edition). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
Mcleod, S. (2016, February 05). Social Learning Theory. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html
Cherry, K. (2019, May 09). What Role Do Schemas Play in the Learning Process?
Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-schema-2795873