Teach. Tech. Math.
Learning Philosophy
My journey from being a student to an educator has transformed my perspective on learning. I used to view it as a binary concept, either understanding the material effortlessly or struggling to grasp it. However, my experiences have shown me that learning is a dynamic growth journey that extends far beyond the classroom. As an educator, I aim to equip students with skills, problem-solving abilities, and real-world applications beyond mere content knowledge. I embrace a lifelong learning mindset, perceiving the world as an infinite landscape of opportunities for growth, discovery, and learning from mistakes. My learning philosophy is a product of constant evolution and will continue to develop as I move forward.
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Perspectives on Learning and Teaching
Understanding learning is the foundation of effective teaching. Learning is a process that leads to a lasting change in behavior, a journey that involves acquiring information, knowledge, and skills from experiences. While we often associate learning with formal education in childhood and early adulthood, it's crucial to acknowledge that learning is a lifelong endeavor that extends far beyond the classroom (Cherry, 2022). Creating an optimal learning environment is a pivotal aspect of effective teaching. As Dr. Harapnuik (2021) underscores, flexibility in our approach to learning is crucial in developing environments that cater to the diverse needs of learners. As educators, our primary focus is our students' learning, but we must also recognize that we are perpetual learners. Education is a dynamic, continuously evolving field that demands ongoing engagement and growth. We gain insights not only from teaching but also from the rich experiences of our students, fostering a reciprocal relationship where we learn alongside and for them. My role as a teacher is to facilitate learning and support my students in their learning journey, valuing their contributions to my growth as an educator.
Learning Philosophy vs Teaching Philosophy
While teaching and learning philosophies differ, they are intricately linked. A teaching philosophy revolves around the educator's approach to facilitating learning, encompassing their beliefs, methods, and goals. Conversely, a learning philosophy centers on the learner's optimal learning methods and beliefs. Both are vital, providing clarity on how to navigate educational experiences effectively. As educators, we must continuously embrace learning, recognizing our role as perpetual learners. While our teaching philosophies should focus on how others learn and inspire a love for learning, they should also prioritize creating significant learning environments to cater to diverse learners' needs. This commitment to lifelong learning drives our growth and innovation as educators and serves as a beacon of inspiration for our students.
Learning Theory Identification and Connection
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Behavioral
Behavioral learning theory explores how individuals learn and behave in response to their environment. It posits that behaviors are acquired through reinforcement and punishment, with learning seen as observable changes in behavior stemming from experience (National University, 2023). This can be seen in the classroom as direct instruction, where the teacher gives information. When applying behaviorism to education, teachers aim to cultivate specific student behaviors by prompting desired actions. This involves employing repetition, interactive activities, and offering feedback, both positive and negative, as necessary (Meyer. (n.d.)). The emphasis is on shaping behaviors through targeted instructional strategies.
When I reflect on my personal learning experiences, it often aligns with the behavioral learning theory. As students, we were given information and told how to use it; we were rewarded for being correct. While considered somewhat old-fashioned in contemporary educational contexts, behaviorism still holds value for educators in the classroom. However, it should not stand alone as the sole method of instruction.
Constructivism
Constructivism is focused on students actively participating and creating their learning. Instructional focus transitions from behaviorist teaching to constructivist learning, emphasizing a shift from passive absorption of information to active engagement with concepts applied to real-world problems (Druvenga, 2021). This approach to education is student-centered and allows the teacher to be the facilitator of learning rather than the sole source of information. Learning is socially constructed through collaboration, including group work, discussions, debates, and reflections, allowing learners to share perspectives and create knowledge together (Druvenga, 2021). The constructivist learning model aligns with the ADL program, offering choice, ownership, voice, and authentic experiences. This approach enables learners to maximize their learning potential, supported by professors facilitating the content.
The principles of this theory challenge me and encourage me to continue growing and learning. Utilizing elements of this theory in my classroom is vital for student success. I often allow my students time to collaborate to understand the material better and create a shared knowledge of the content. My innovation plan encourages students to take ownership of their learning and aligns very well with the principles of the constructivism learning theory.
Cognitivism
The learning theory of cognitivism specifies that learning happens through thinking and building short and long-term memory (Main, 2022). Learning occurs when students actively engage in problem-solving activities. Cognitive learning entails purposeful and focused engagement, emphasizing self-directed exploration and discovery. Effective curriculum design involves sequencing content logically and ensuring students understand how each component fits into the broader context, fostering deeper comprehension and connections within the subject matter.
I recognize the importance of adopting a cognitivist approach to execute my innovation plan effectively. This entails understanding teachers' cognitive processes in receiving, processing, and organizing information, facilitating their acceptance and integration of blended learning practices.
Connectivism
Connectivism, an emerging learning theory, suggests effective learning involves integrating thoughts, theories, and information accessed through modern technology. It emphasizes the significance of digital tools in contemporary education, acknowledging the vast opportunities for learning in our interconnected world. A key aspect of connectivism is its emphasis on collaborative group dynamics. It encourages collaboration and open dialogue, allowing learners to gain insights from diverse perspectives, improving decision-making, problem-solving, and understanding complex concepts (Kurt, 2023). Diversity of opinions and technology are vital to making this learning theory practical in the classroom. The teacher is the guide to the students learning.
Technology has taken over our world, and this way of learning is vital to helping our students prepare for the future. My innovation plan resonates well with the principles of this theory as it enables students to engage in practical, relevant activities and fosters interaction between students and with technology.
Optimal learning occurs when we integrate behaviorism, constructivism, cognitivism, and connectivism. By combining aspects of these theories, we can enhance student success and facilitate compelling learning experiences.
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Impact on Innovation Plan and Role as Change Agent
Through my Innovation Plan, I aim to delve into blended learning in the mathematics classroom, which may pose a departure from the traditional classroom setting, causing some teachers to feel hesitant. In navigating this transition, I intend to introduce fresh and innovative perspectives. Taking elements of these learning theories will be vital to successfully implementing my innovation plan. I will need to empower educators to become facilitators of learning and students to hold agency over their learning. Recognizing my learning style and aligning with various learning theories has been instrumental in understanding the diversity of learners and the evolving nature of research. I aim to cultivate significant learning environments for all learners, fostering continuous growth and learning throughout their lives.
Annotated Bibliography
Cherry, K. (2022, November 16). The Psychology of How People Learn. Verywell Mind; Verywellmind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-learning-2795332
The article discusses how learning is defined as a relatively lasting change in behavior resulting from experience, encompassing acquiring information, knowledge, and skills. The article also addresses challenges to learning, including environmental, cognitive, and motivational factors, and offers strategies for improving learning effectiveness, such as lifelong learning, diverse learning methods, and adequate sleep.
Druvenga, K. (2021). Constructivism - Instructional Coaches Corner. Instructional Coaches Corner. https://www.instructionalcoaches.com/portfolio/constructivism/
This blog post provides an overview of constructivism as a learning theory. It explores its fundamental principles, including the idea that learners actively construct their knowledge through experiences and interactions with the environment. It also provides practical strategies and examples for implementing constructivist principles in the classroom.
Harapnuik, D. (2021, November 10). Four keys to understanding learning theories. Harapnuik.org. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=6344
Dr. Harapnuik highlights different learning theories and explains why it is essential to understand them. This was a great starting point for researching learning theories for my philosophy.
Kurt, S. (2023, September 25). Connectivism Learning Theory. Educational Technology. https://educationaltechnology.net/connectivism-learning-theory/
This blog post explains connectivism as a learning theory developed in the digital age, emphasizing the role of technology and networks in knowledge acquisition and learning. The article discusses key concepts of connectivism, such as the idea that learning is distributed across networks, that learning is a process of connecting information sources, and that learners create and maintain these networks. It also explores the implications of connectivism for education, including the shift from traditional instruction to networked learning environments and the importance of digital literacy and critical thinking skills.
Main, P (2022, December 09). Cognitivism Learning Theories: A teachers guide. Retrieved from https://www.structural-learning.com/post/cognitivism-learning-theories
This article discusses cognitivism's key concepts and principles, focusing on how learners actively process information, organize knowledge, and construct mental representations to understand and solve problems. The article explores various cognitive processes such as perception, attention, memory, and problem-solving, highlighting their role in learning and instruction. It also examines the implications of cognitivism for teaching and learning practices, emphasizing the importance of meaningful engagement, scaffolding, and metacognition.
Meyer. (n.d.). Comparing learning theories. https://caitlinmeyer.github.io/idt-portfolio/100x/comparing-learning-theories
This website, created by Caitlin Meyer, provides an insightful comparison of various learning theories. It explores behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and connectivism, outlining each theory's key concepts, principles, and applications. Additionally, the website offers visual representations and real-world examples to illustrate how each theory can be applied in educational settings.
National University. (2023, August 17). Behaviorism in Education: What Is Behavioral Learning Theory? National University. https://www.nu.edu/blog/behaviorism-in-education/#:~:text=Behaviorism%20in%20education%2C%20or%20behavioral
This blog post from the National University delves into behaviorism in education, specifically focusing on behavioral learning theory. It provides an overview of behaviorism's history, key concepts, and applications, emphasizing its foundation in the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning processes such as reinforcement and punishment. Additionally, it explores the benefits and drawbacks of implementing a behavioral learning model in education, offering insights into various behaviorist teaching strategies used in the classroom.