Learning Philosophy 

I became an educator 5 years ago and have experienced different learning philosophies from various teachers. I have worked in behavior units, alternative campuses, and schools tailored to individual student growth. Each experience helped mold my belief about learning to be what it is today. When I was younger, I was in a completely different head space than I am now, and within that space, I did not value my education as much as I should have. I used to believe that was a waste of time because it had no value to my real-world situations. It was not until I earned my Masters in curriculum and instruction that I fully understood that learning does not need to be boring and that it must be tailored to each student's needs and interests. I believe that learning should be memorable as well as rigorous so that a student can feel validated and challenged. 

Relationships between Teaching and Learning 

The power dynamic between being the teacher and learning is one that if left unchecked can hinder the growth of our students. As stated in the Learning Philosophy “ tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand” is an old saying that speaks volumes of the relationship between teaching and learning. (2021) Education has focused on the teacher being a sage on the stage rather than being a guide to learning for students. We must aim to be a learning facilitator who is focused on the learner and on creating a desirable environment in which the learner can come to know, acquire knowledge, or make a meaningful connection. ( Learning Philosophy, 2021) We must make a conscious effort to make learning meaningful to the students so that we are not forcing information that they feel they do not need to know. 

Beliefs About Myself as a Learner

I have been in higher education since 2018 and have challenged myself to continue learning. I find myself wanting the same experience as my students in my courses so that I am simply not given the answer but rather asked the right questions to go find the answers.I believe that I challenge myself to find what is meaningful to me and apply it to my coursework so that I can get the full experience of learning. This is what I strive for in my classroom for my students so I am simply practicing what I preach so that I can have the same experience as my students. 

Learning Philosophy Vs. Teaching Philosophy 

A learning philosophy is one where learning is based on students' background knowledge so that they can apply what they know to what is being taught. The learning philosophy must utilize an environment that is designed to be student-centered where they can create significant learning environments that will help students learn how to grow into people we all hope they will become. (Learning Philosophy, 2021)  The teaching philosophy is dependent on the learning philosophy and how an educator wants to incorporate it in their classroom. The power dynamic would be centered on a teacher bringing out the student's background knowledge so that they can make meaningful connections to their learning. Without incorporating the learning philosophy, the teaching philosophy would be stuck as a sage on the stage rather than being a guide in a student's learning. 

Cognitivist Learning 

In my teaching, I align with Cognitivist philosophy as it focuses on more complex cognitive processes such as thinking, problem-solving,  language concept formation, and information processing. ( Ertmer and Newby, 1993) This is how I implement learning in my classroom as I want my students to inquire and find solutions rather than them given the answer. Once they find the answer I also want them to be able to understand why that was the solution and think critically if there are other avenues that can be utilized to find different solutions. The process of learning is just as important as the destination of learning and this is what cognitivists believe when it comes to learning processes. I firmly believe that environments play a pivotal role in facilitating learning. ( Ertmer and Newby, 1993) The main theorist that I align with is Jean Piaget who suggests that children's intelligence undergoes changes as they grow.

My Learning Philosophy Impact

The learning theories and learning theory theorists have influenced my own learning philosophy in a manner that helped me grow as an educator. These learning theories have helped me develop my innovation plan to be what it is now. I believe that every student can bring a source of information and can showcase what they know in different ways. Applying critical thinking while adding an individual's own creative means to their learning is how I have my students learn in my classes. I strive to remain a guide in students learning rather than a sage on the stage. This is what drives my current innovation plan so that students have an opportunity for a high-quality educational experience. 

Annotated Bibliography 

Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. J. (1993). Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance improvement quarterly, 6(4), 50-72. 

This journal helped distinguish the different theories of instructional design. It showcases what the different theories prioritize and how to align yourself with those theories. It also explained how psychologists and educators explain the viewpoints and what highlights individuals that align with the theories. 

(2021). Harapnuik.org. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=95

The learning philosophy helps explain how the learning philosophy is utilized. It also describes how the instructor should be a guide rather than a sage on the stage. It also highlights the importance of having a learning environment that will help the student remove barriers from their learning to maximize the learning that happens in the classroom. 

Main, P. (2011, June 11). Jean Piaget's theory of Cognitive Development. Www.structural-Learning.com. https://www.structural-learning.com/post/jean-piagets-theory-of-cognitive-development-and-active-classrooms#:~:text=The%20Theory%20of%20Cognitive%20Development

Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development showcases Piaget's theory of Cognitive Development. It further explains how Piaget views children's learning throughout their life. It later explains that children build on their existing knowledge to model their environment or surrounding world. 

PhD, N. H. (2015, October 23). Developing Students’ Learning Philosophies. Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/developing-students-learning-philosophies/

Developing Students' Learning Philosophies focuses on various questions for learners to ask themselves after a learning experience. It has students ask themselves the questions so they can better understand their own learning processes. This will help students better understand why they are pursuing learning rather than just doing the assignment.