Teaching+Philosophy

//Teachers are there to guide not dictate...//

Teachers are there to guide not dictate. That simple line sums up how I believe teaching should be done. Teachers do not have all the answers, they do not know all the information, but what they do have are skills to help the student through their own learning process.

Learning is not a moment when someone finally gets to the solution but rather the process that very person took to get there. There are no right or wrong ways of getting to a certain conclusion, though there may be faster or slower ways, but as long as the student can get to the answer and fully comprehend that said answer then the teacher has made the right decisions along the way. Learning itself is a process from the very moment the student steps into a classroom; from the way the classroom feels, to the books that are going to be used to how the teacher addresses the class on that very first moment before they start the lesson. The students should have a confidence in the teacher, either by just their knowledge of the material or the ability to relate to the teacher easily and comfortably. (Rosemarin.) If this comfort is there then any challenges that arise in the learning process can be addressed and overcome.

The classroom itself needs to feel comfortable for both the teacher and the students in the process of education. Colors, how the room is arranged, and even technology used is very important for this. One very key element for new teachers and old alike is working with the new technologies that are provided in making a classroom operate smoothly. Technology should never be a burden for a teacher or a student but rather a device that will take the process to a new a better level than before. Students have been shown to actually respond positively, “The most common--and in fact, nearly universal--teacher-reported effect on students was an increase in motivation.” (Harmon, 2008) With the advancements of technology more and more teachers can take lessons to a whole other level or excitement and involvement. Students have shown with the use of technology that when the opportunity arises to help their fellow students they will do, “teachers note an increased frequency of students helping each other.” (Harmon, 2008) Without this opportunity some learners would be left behind or become bored, but with it they can achieve great things together.

The classroom itself should never be overpowering but rather a place where students can come and freely learn in a comfortable place. There does organization to help both the instructor and the student achieve their goals together. Having the students together in groups for them to interact but also learn from each other is an important part of the classroom. They will thrive off each other as motivation and self-helpers. The classroom will have neither a front nor back but rather different areas of the classroom. The class will focus on a piece of technology such as an interactive white board as focal point in lessons and a jumping point for discussions. But, the technology, the books or any other objects will never be the complete focus of the class but rather the other students around them. They will interact with the other students daily and work together to gain a better understanding of the content. Along the way learning how to navigate the lessons and working together cooperatively to achieve their goals as a group.

Rosemarin, S. (2009). Who is the best teacher? Do different kinds of students have different preference. //Gifted Education International//, //25//, 48-55.

Harmon, N. (2008, Sept 08). //Effects of technology on classrooms and students//. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html