1 Philosophy of Teaching

When I first began the Bachelor of Education program I knew very little about the types of professional learning environments used in the classroom today. I thought we would be taught how to teach in the same way I was taught while growing up. Because of my experiences in school and by experiences throughout the program thus far, I am able to compare traditional and progressive learning environments. I have discovered that I am an advocate for constructivist education and discovery based learning. I have based my teaching philosophy primarily on the work of two theorists, Lev Vygotsky and Jerome Bruner.

Constructivist Education and Discovery Based Learning The traditional ways of teaching I experienced as a student were constructed around teacher centered learning, whereas I want to move more towards student centered learning through discovery based learning. As a teacher, I want to assume the role of a facilitator, providing the proper resources and materials to my students but allowing them to explore the curriculum and construct their own ideas. I believe that my philosophy on teaching and learning is rooted in the constructivist theories of Vygotsky. More specifically, I believe social or dialectical constructivism is the way students will learn best. Motivating a student to want to learn is in the power of the educator. It is their job to open up endless possibilities and empower students as individuals to become informed and contributing citizens outside the classroom.

2 To accomplish this type of learning in the classroom, it has to be an inclusive environment. Students need to feel like they are in a safe place in order to feel comfortable learning for themselves and not be afraid to make mistakes. Students can be provided the proper resources and materials to explore and learn but they will not be able to do so if they are not comfortable with their surroundings.

Discovery Based Learning as Motivation As a teacher, I believe that the most important aspect of teaching is motivating students and encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning experience. Discovery based learning can be used in place of rewards and punishments to motivate students in the classroom. Based on the theories of Bruner, students who learn for themselves will have that information more readily available to use for problem solving. A teacher must motivate learners by providing them with what is necessary to learn but allowing them to learn by doing. They also must provide feedback on their performance, and give students direction. Another big aspect of discovery based learning is collaborative learning. By implementing collaborative learning, students will work collaboratively to help themselves and others. Through group work I have seen collaborative learning and students become motivated to construct their own knowledge, develop skills necessary for life and to build positive relationships. By working together to learn and teaching each other, students will retain more of the knowledge they learn in class.

3 As I gain more experience and grow as an educator my philosophy of teaching and learning will continue to expand, change, and adjust to my experiences in the classroom. I will continue to draw on my past experiences as a student and my current experiences as a teacher. I plan to implement progressive learning strategies in the classroom throughout my first internship and hope to learn a lot from the experience.