Learning+Philosophy

 Throughout my educational career, I have been able to develop a philosophy about my beliefs of the most effective way to teach students in the classroom. I firmly believe that learning occurs inside and outside of the classroom. There are many different methods and ways that students learn, and they all correspond with different styles of teaching. Students have the ability to learn in an auditory, visual, or kinesthetic form. Learning becomes most effective when teachers can utilize all three forms into their teaching practices in order to engage every different type of learner. The philosophy that teachers can teach the principles of a topic and then the students will apply their knowledge to demonstrate the topic, through personal research and their previous knowledge. Student exploration and demonstration of content is crucial in their understanding of the coursework. "Students learn better from teachers who have better personal and social qualities because they are personable and able to create a more meaningful and relevant relationship to the students (Rosemarin 2009). Teachers can also easily teach students better because they can relate to them whether it be with current trends or newly developed forms of technology.  Integrating technology into the classroom is a classic example of how to further a student’s knowledge and promote a better understanding of a subject through hands on exploration. "It was stated that it isn’t about reforming a school, it is about redesigning them. These days, technology is a key component in the most up-to-date successful classrooms (Wolk 2010). Having students explore a history topic on the internet, or perform a webquest to find facts about a geography assignment are both prime examples of having students utilize technology as part of their education. Using a Smartboard as a teacher has become a fun and interactive way for teachers to teach their students, but also to have the students be able to interact and demonstrate what they have learned in front of the classroom as well. Teachers can also use programs such as Powerpoint to tap into the visual and auditory learning styles as you show the slides and talk the students through each one. Students are also captivated by motivational and inspirational teachers. "Teachers have great ideas and great methods, but these brilliant tactics tend to stay behind closed classroom doors (Gibbon 2003). Teachers are not nearly recognized enough being that they are part of the profession that teaches all other professions. Teachers that have the ability to create new teaching styles everyday in order to create a more effective learning environment for their students and maximize their learning in the classroom. If a teacher can find a way to teach while the students are learning, but having fun while doing so, then they have achieved what every teacher can only hope to achieve, and that is creating an environment where students want to learn. Being an innovative and creative teacher in the classroom, but paying attention to the students interests outside of the classroom as well, allows the teacher to be well-rounded, and the students to feel appreciated and more receptive to you as an educator.

 I would want my ideal classroom to be designed with the most up-to-date technology and have it filled with bright colors, and motivational posters in order to inspire my students to want to learn. I would want the students to feel privileged in my classroom and I want to be able to give them every tool possible in order for them to be successful. As the one article states, we just need to make our classrooms more innovative. I would like to have a co-teacher so that between the two of us, we could give more students individual attention. I think that having an efficient and effective classroom is the foundation to creating a solid learning environment for each student.

 All in all, a successful classroom and learning environment requires equal participation from the students and the teachers. Different learning styles and teaching styles go hand in hand in the success of the teachers methods and the knowledge gained by the students. Overall, we don’t get to handpick our classroom or the materials supplied to us, or even the students, but as teachers we need to constantly be innovative and let our true teaching skills shine through. Any student can be influenced if they are given the time and attention to do so. Like in many teaching movies, getting through to different varieties of students may take a lot of effort, but once that connection is made and the students become motivated to learn, the environment does become ideal, and that is where teachers prove that each and every student has the ability to learn.

 References

Gibbon, P. (2003). Why Teachers Matter. Journal of Education , 184(3), 45-57.

Rosemarin, S. (2009). Who is the best teacher? Do Different Kinds of Students Have Different <span class="font_6" style="font-family: Play,sans-serif; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Preference?. <span class="italic" style="font-family: Play,sans-serif; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gifted Education International <span class="font_6" style="font-family: Play,sans-serif; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline;">, 54(2), 48-55.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font_6" style="font-family: Play,sans-serif; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wolk, R. (2010). Education: The Case for Making. <span class="italic" style="font-family: Play,sans-serif; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reimagining School <span class="font_6" style="font-family: Play,sans-serif; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline;">, 67(3),16-21.@-The- <span style="font-family: Play,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;"> Case-for-Making-It-Personal.aspH