Philosophy of Education
My philosophy of education is grounded in an examination of variety of philosophies of education, including existentialism, idealism, perennialism, perspectivism, pragmatism, and romanticism. I believe individuals need to take accountability for their own proceedings and form their own destinies. I believe perfection in reaching goals may be attained by governing oneself with high standards. Individuals can work towards perfecting their goals continually, throughout their lifetimes. Many perspectives and outlooks on life can make individuals appreciative in the diverse differences of others. I think that any given concept is only as effect as it can be proved to be. Remaining optimistic in situations gives me the tendency to expect the best from individuals.
Piaget and Vygotsky have highly developed constructivist thought based more on empirical data than on philosophical assumption. Though they originate their researches from different fields biology and education, their thoughts about how people identify and comprehend have remarkable similarities. I also feel as though constructivist thought should be experiential and practical, illustrating varied information. Constructivism is a theory which sets forth the notion that people create knowledge and formulate meaning based upon their experiences. According to Atherton (2011) Constructivism , chiefly in its social forms, proposes that the learner is much more actively involved in a combined venture with the teacher of creating new meanings. Accommodation and assimilation help to construct a person’s new knowledge. People put together old experiences with new experiences. New perspectives are developed. People tend
to restructure their environment ,situations and new experiences into present frame of mind. Research in Atherton (2011) suggest from the work of Piaget, who confirmed empirically that learner’s minds were not empty, but dynamically processed the material with which they were presented, and postulated the mechanisms of accommodation and assimilation as key to this processing.
As an educator I believe my role is important within the constructivism learning theory of thought. I should behave as a facilitator whose role it is to guide and scaffold the learner when it pertains to their own understanding.
The historical foundation of my philosophy of education examines the Age of Enlightenment. I believe things can occur naturally and that naturally people can progress. Lewis (1992) suggests the most fundamental concept of the Enlightenment were faith in nature and belief in human progress. Nature was seen as a complex of interacting laws governing the universe. I also believe human progress is possible through education. Most of the thinkers of the Age of Enlightenment believed passionately in human progress through education. They believed civilization would become perfect if people were free to use their reason.
Throughout my studies I have enhanced my written and oral communication skills. Written and oral communication skills are vital in all situations. Without them, the intended message will definitely be misconstrued. While studying, with the use of analysis, critical thinking, problem solving and technological computer skills, I have improved my instructional strategies, for the diverse variety of learners I will encounter. I have learned to be more supportive of team participation among faculty members, as a way to greater organizational effectiveness in all levels.
Organizational Mission Statement
In the future I aspire to work for an organization which metamorphoses learners into lifelong learners, committed to service, with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to be successful and lead in the world. This organization should offer diversity in communications, thinking, and theory, as well as in the pluralistic cultures and backgrounds of faculty and students.One which is augmenting diversity in all facets of the organizational structure.
Reflecting on my philosophy which examines principles of the idealism school of thought, this organization should be one which encourages perfection in reaching goals, by governing its learners with high standards. From a historical viewpoint, this organization should adopt an ideology which is rooted in the Age of Enlightenment School of thought, because through natural occurrences, people can progress.
This organization should have a learning theory which explores problem-based and experiential learning. Utilizing these theories, encourage hands-on active learning which leads to authentic assessment of real-life problems. Since learners use their cognition, experience, perception, and behavior to guide their learning, actually performing tasks hands on, is a suggested best practice.
This organization should use inclusion and diversity to set cultural, educational and intellectual standards throughout the organization. By using diversity to set these standards, it may stay current in practices of instruction, research and outreach.
This organization should posses tools which provide information that will tell an
them whether the activities, experiences or services offered, are having the wanted result. They should use these tools as an assessment of learning. When this is done in a methodical
way, it has benefits for people throughout the establishment, ranging from students to the
administration.
References
Atherton J. S. (2011). Learning and Teaching; Constructivism in learning [On-line: UK]
retrieved 4 March 2011 from
http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/constructivism.htm
Learning Theories Knowledgebase (2011, March). Problem-Based Learning (PBL) at Learning-
Theories.com. Retrieved March 3rd, 2011 from http://www.learning-theories.com/problem-based-learning-pbl.html
Learning Theories Knowledgebase (2011, March). Experiential Learning (Kolb) at Learning-
Theories.com. Retrieved March 3rd, 2011 from http://www.learning-theories.com/experiential-learning-kolb.html
Lewis, H.(1992).The Age of Enlightenment: The European dream of progress and
enlightenment. Retrieved From http://history-world.org/age_of_enlightenment.htm
MissionStatements.com(2011). Ideas and inspirations for defining your own mission statement.
Retrieved From http://www.missionstatements.com/index.html
