My learning philosophy is informed by the various learning theories I have studied. I believe each theory has something to offer teachers as they endeavor to meet the learning needs of students. Examples include the behaviorist’s drill and practice and chaining, the cognitivist’s rehearsal and chunking processes, the constructivists’ experiential learning experiences (Driscoll, 2005) or the connectivists’ networked learning (Siemens, 2008). Teachers should locate, explore and practice innovative ways to meet the needs of learners, to inspire and motivate a desire to learn in any environment whether face to face or online. While teachers should be conscious of students learning styles, they should teach not only to their strengths but also challenge them to learn in other ways as well since this will help develop well rounded individuals. The teaching learning process should be learner centered and provide opportunities for learners’ active involvement with the environment and collaboration with others. The learning environment should authenticate the everyday problem solving information seeking context in which the learner is able to build and expand their personal information network. Teachers should be flexible, engaging students and embracing their ever changing roles (Siemens, 2008).
It is critical that today’s learning environment allow the student to slip
seamlessly from an everyday classroom into the digital world. I believe
that student’s should be comfortable in both spaces as teachers allow students
to explore beyond the classroom. I believe that a caring supportive
environment should be established whether online or face to face. I
believe that the teaching/learning process is not only top down but also bottom
up, that it is an interactive, collaborative process through which both
teachers and pupils are changed. While I do not embrace connectivism as the
sole learning theory for this era I agree with Siemens (2006) that learning is
not strictly linear but the learner now has the opportunity to learn beyond the
bounds of the classroom. I believe that one of the purposes of
teaching/learning is to stimulate inquiring minds and develop
independent, self-directed, life-long learners. All of this I believe is
critical and non-negotiable if we are to develop twenty-first century citizens.
References
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology
of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge. A Creative
Commons licensed version, Retrieved from http://www.elearnspace.org/KnowingKnowledge_LowRes.pdf
Siemens, G. (2008). Learning and knowing in
networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. Retrieved from http://itforum.coe.uga.edu/Paper105/Siemens.pdf
