Personal Educational Philosophy

Education is an opportunity for students to teach and learn from each other. Of all the educational philosophy theories that exist, I find my own theory to be most similar to social constructive theory.  As a teacher, I believe in creating a social environment that scaffolds students’ learning. Students need opportunities to discuss and reflect on their learning with and through others. 

In my classroom, we spend a lot of time discussing and reflecting on what we learn and how our actions affect others and vice versa.  I feel that when students have ownership of what they are learning, they will be more motivated.  My students choose which books to read, where in the room they want to read, and which story topics they want to write.  Most of their learning comes through cooperative activities, so we do a lot of modeling on how to work as a group.  I introduce new concepts and skills by connecting them to something that they already know.  I focus on how they learn as well as what they learn.  Most of the time, students check each other’s work and provide feedback to their peers.  I am more of a facilitator that guides them through the process.  I believe that constructive theory provides students with the opportunity to positively interact and work with others.  This educational theory helps prepare students to live in the real world.

I also believe strongly in cognitivism theory.  I believe that, besides having the skills necessary to interact with and learn from each other, students need problem-solving skills.  I like to provide students with problem-solving activities that will promote thinking and reasoning skills. When there is conflict between students, they have to learn to solve it themselves in a positive manner.  I always want to learn what my students are thinking so I can provide learning materials that will meet their individual needs.  What I do not like about cognitivism is the idea that learners are trained to perform tasks the same way. I do not believe that there is only one way to do something.  Not everybody can do the same thing or learn in the same way.

 I incorporate progressivism theory in my classroom as well. I encourage students to learn and think on their own. Students should be able to learn to think according to their own interests and feelings.  This is why I allow my students to choose their own writing topics, reading books, and where they want to read. 

Even though I believe that students should be able to make choices and do what they feel is right for them, I also believe that there are certain social rules and expectations that they need to follow in order to survive in the real world.  This is where I agree with essentialism theory.  I like its idea that students should obtain certain knowledge and skills to live in every society.  For example, there are certain ways that people behave in society to get along with other people or there are rules that everyone must follow.  I agree with perrenialism’s approach that we should use our rationality to help us make decisions.  This helps students in their learning process. 

Lastly, I believe in the social reconstructivism approach that schools should teach values to students so that they can be good citizens.  Although I sometimes give treats to certain student to encourage them behave a certain way, I do not believe in behaviorism theory.  I feel that students should be intrinsically, not extrinsically, motivated, but some students need immediate extrinsic motivation to promote learning.  We cannot go through life dependent on outside rewards to get things done, so I will eventually help students move away from the extrinsic motivation.  My goal is to help guide my students to become lifelong learners and to gain self-confidence.