Philosophy+of+Learning

Last year, if someone were to ask me if there was a difference in the way individuals learn, my answer probably would have been no. As we are nearing the end of this semester, I have learned that there are multiple ways in which people effectively learn. Some students learn visually, while other students are better auditory learners. Probably the most challenging component of students learning differently is the speeds in which they learn. Some students understand material much easier than others, while repetition and hours of studying may be more effective for another student. No one group of students will ever all be on the same page as one another, which is one of the many challenges of becoming a teacher. Learning truly takes place when the students are involved and wanting to learn.(Race)

Learning is easy to see when a student truly understands the material that is laid out in front of him or her. The frustration on their face goes away, and it is almost as if they are completely calm. You can almost see the light bulb turning in a student’s mind when they are learning. From my experience observing multiple high school classrooms, the most effective learning was taking place when all of the students were involved. The teacher was engaging all of the students by asking questions rather than simply lecturing. Another time I witnessed learning definitely taking place was when the teacher provided the students with a hands-on lesson for the day. The students were able to figure the material out on their own rather than the teacher doing all of the work. A perfect example was when students had to complete a lab before listening to the teacher’s lesson. This way, going into the lesson, the students already had knowledge of the subject area for the day.

In order to learn, students need to be interested in the subject which is presented to them. In that case, a teacher needs to try to make the subject as fun and interesting as possible. Deviating from lecture and notes on a daily basis would definitely help to interest students. Most importantly, technology should be implemented into classrooms. When students use technology, the main focus of the lesson lifts from the teacher and is now on the students. The students are now taking an active role in their learning. “The student is actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information.(Harmon)” Technology is also a great break from the normal day to day note taking and class work ritual. Accommodating students’ multiple ways of learning is extremely important because it is not the students’ fault how they learn best. The student who learns from lecture and taking notes should not have priority over students who do not learn that way. Students who enjoy group work should not be forced to learning on their own. Peers can sometimes explain material in a way that teachers could not, resulting in a student learning who was not in the past. Students should be all treated equally, including having the ability to learn.

Based on how I believe learning occurs, I would want my ideal classroom to reflect as many learning styles as possible. I will have hands-on laboratory experiences set up throughout the classroom that have to do with the current material being covered. My ideal classroom would act as a community. Students are engaged and respectful, both to me and other students, and they are responsible for their actions. There will be classroom rules posted so that students know from day one what is acceptable and what is not.

As the teacher, I will provide significant material that engages the students. In order to do so, the material will be relevant to both the students and to science. My ideal classroom is one where all students feel as though they can reach a level of success and where they are confident to participate in the lessons. To make students feel comfortable, the classroom will have areas in which students can work alone or work together. Eliminating the stress of having to work with a partner, for some students, will give them a relaxed feeling. Technology will always be an option for students in the classroom. That way, students are in control of what they are learning.(Harmon) I would want my ideal classroom to be bright, with plenty of natural light coming through the windows. I would also want it to be extremely organized so that students can work efficiently. My ideal classroom would be an inviting environment, where positivity and learning would be the overall goal.

References 1. Race, P. (2005). //How does learning happen best?//. Retrieved from http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/deliberations/effective-learning/happen/2. Harmon, N. (2008, Sept 08). //Effects of technology on classrooms and students//. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html