Learning Philosophy

 

 

 

 

Beliefs about learning in general

 

Everyone has the right to learn and should immerse themselves in learning. Learning, in general, is a part of growing and maturing to better oneself. Learning is a lifelong process, evidenced by my current participation in the ADL program and future career pursuits. Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authentic learning (COVA), is one example in which we are given the freedom to take charge of our learning. 

 

I believe that learning is an integral part of personal growth and maturing. Learning doesn’t stop after school; it continues through life by improving personally and professionally. Every year, when I sit down with my principal to set up my T-TESS goals, I always make it a point to hear and listen to her about what I improved on last year and what I can do this year. In this scenario, I am the learner and she’s the teacher instructing me on what I can improve during the new school year. This type of dynamic shapes my view of teaching and learning.

 

At this moment, I am currently a learner in the ADL program. I am learning about technology and the tools that apply to the type of career I wish to pursue. After this program, I will still be a learner because I will further myself by pursuing certain types of learning courses in a job I am suited for to be effective in the workforce.

 

My learning and Learning Theorists

 

Like I said before, I am someone who is always learning, and I am always wanting to develop myself in my craft further. As a teacher, I am an avid supporter of an environment that features a student-centered approach. This is such an essential feature in a working environment and classroom. That said, I identify with Cognitivism and Constructivism, as both are within the student-centered approach.  

 

The father of Cognitivism theory was Lev Vygotsky, who believed that learning is a collaborative process. Vygotsky believed in culture-specific tools, private speech, and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). What is even more remarkable about Vygotsky’s belief was the influence social and cultural factors had on cognitive development and how much community plays a role (SimplyPsychology, 2024). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another theorist I identified with was Jean Piaget and his Constructivism. Piaget is entirely known in education for his stages of development. Sensorimotor: birth to 18-24 months; preoperational: 2-7 years old; concrete operational: 7-11 years old; and Formal Operational: adolescence to adulthood (SimplyPsychology, 2024). Within Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, he firmly believed children need an active role in their development. Piaget emphasized how crucial it is for children to actively explore, play, and interact with their surroundings. Such an emphasis is placed on this type of active engagement because of the role it plays in the child’s development, which is part of their understanding of how the world works. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both theorists have a passion and a belief in student-centered learning, which is where I fall into their beliefs. As a teacher, I encourage my students to think for themselves. As learners in the ADL program, we can think for ourselves through our e-portfolio and use COVA as our learning method.

 

Another approach from both theorists is a collaborative problem-solving environment in which participants are active in their learning. Once again, from my experience as a learner in the ADL program, I have participated in collaborative class discussions with my peers and my group members. We continuously problem-solve our thoughts about our discussions and give advice to one another about the work we produce. This once again brings out active participation in learning. 

 

Learning Philosophy vs Teaching Philosophy

 

I will never forget writing my teaching philosophy in the previous graduate program I was in at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. I was in the Masters and Certification program, and in one class, I had to develop my teaching philosophy. So, this belief between both philosophy statements stirs up some great memories, and my stance has changed a little or not at all. A teaching philosophy focuses on how the educator believes they should facilitate their teaching process. At the same time, the learning philosophy focuses on the learner's role in the learning process and their growth.

 

From what I can tell and believe as a learner, my teaching philosophy is similar to my learning philosophy. If I remember correctly, in 2018, I believed all students have the right to learn, and as a teacher, I wanted to instill a love of learning. I also wanted to instill a classroom of active learning and hands-on activities and take ownership of their work. As I sit here years later in a different graduate program focused on digital learning and technology, I have the same beliefs as a learner. I will always believe I am a lifelong learner and want to instill this belief in others as a potential leader. The goal is to Create a Significant Learning Environment (CSLE) where others can take ownership of their work with their own choices. As I work towards implementing these learning styles for a career as a technology leader, I will never forget my philosophy and where I stand. 

 

Innovation Plan Impact

 

As a changing agent in education and someone who is always learning, I view myself as someone who will bring new ideas and challenge traditional methods. Since the goal is to be an advocate for change and learner-centered practices, an environment where learners feel empowered in the classroom or in the workplace is critical. That sense of self-empowerment is vital to take control of one's learning, and it is how I feel about this program, my philosophy of learning, and my innovation plan as a change agent. The innovation plan has the role as a change agent and breaks the barriers in place, making it disruptive. It gives control to the learner and breaks traditional learning methods. 

 

As I continue with my career and education, I plan to continually refine my learning philosophy as I grow in my career and my lifelong learning journey. My learning philosophy influences me to continue never to stop learning and always be the learner. If I want to instill this belief in the people I lead, I must practice it and develop it to be the leader I want to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annotated Bibliography

Simply Psychology. (2024, August 5). Piaget’s stages: 4 Stages of cognitive development & theory. https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html

 

The article about Jean Piaget and his stages of Cognitive Development described his theory and the four stages he theorized. Simply Psycology listed information in which describes the stages of developoment of children, his theory, how his theory can be applied in the classroom, criticisms of the theory, his legacy and how his theory compares against other theories.

 

Simply Psychology. (2024, February 1). Constructivism learning theory & philosophy of education. https://www.simplypsychology.org/constructivism.html

 

Simply Psychology’s article about theory constructivism includes the philosophy, the types of constructivism, teachings and critical evaluations of the theory. The article is heavily researched and gives great details about the philosophy, and the constructivism categories.