Learning Philosophy

"Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The most valuable asset you'll ever have is your mind and what you put into it."

-Albert Einstein.

Learning is often thought of as something we do only in our school-age years. The 21st century has forever changed what we believe about learning. Technology at our fingertips has made learning easier than ever and has helped to reveal that learning is a lifelong process. Mark K. Smith (1999-2020) says that learning simply comes from “participation in life”. I believe this to be true. I believe we are all diverse and unique in our learning styles. Learning has no one-size-fits-all design, and multiple methods are required for individuals to learn effectively. I believe we learn through our mistakes, failures, and the natural consequences of our practice. This being the case, we should make it a necessity to encourage experimentation and play in learning. Environment is key to learning and creating a significant learning environment is an indispensable component for learning to occur. Harapnuik (2021) shares the same sentiment by saying, "We need to be flexible enough to adapt and grow in our thinking about learning to develop effective learning environments that meet our learner’s needs."

I believe the relationship between teaching and learning is inseparable. As educators, we should prepare the environment for our learners, but not forget that we are learners ourselves, even when educating. Ideally, we take the position of guide, mentor, or coach, leading our learners to the tools needed for growth. Creating a significant learning environment where learners have choice, ownership, and voice through authentic learning experiences allows educators to step back and additionally take on the role of a learner. I believe that our learners teach us as much as we teach them. This is the circle of continuous learning, where all involved in the process, from expert to novice, both give and receive in the sharing of knowledge and experience. Watching and listening as an educator is as important as the information we provide and allows for the opportunity to meet the needs of all those we work with.

I feel that I exhibit the following traits as a learner. I am:

Passionate
Self-Driven
Impact Focused
Inquisitive
Active
Tactile – Kinesthetic
An educator at heart

I have always had the heart of an educator. I find joy in learning and sharing knowledge with others. Even as a young child, I was motivated to seek growth through self-improvement. I find that I have never been focused on one specific discipline but have an innate desire to acquire a broad base of knowledge and be well-rounded. I love collaborating with others and find it enjoyable to share differing opinions and learn from each other in the process. I am an active learner that desires hands-on experiences. I thrive when allowed to ‘play’ or experiment with new ideas.

Moving through the ADL program, I am embracing myself as a learner. I have developed a focus that looks more at the positive qualities of learning, rather than the negative. I have always been focused and pushed myself to learn and grow, but recently I am embracing the areas in which I have room to improve and viewing them in a positive light. I now appreciate these areas, whereas, in the past, I focused on these areas as things I wanted to hide or not show the world. I am learning that acknowledging my areas of needed improvement provides me with a path to further growth.

As I mentioned previously, I believe the relationship between educating and learning is inseparable. The same goes for teaching and learning philosophies. As an educator, it is our duty to always embrace learning, to never feel as though we know it all or are above those that are learning from us. We always have areas for improvement and if we take the role of a learner, in addition to educating, we will find maximum growth opportunities. While both philosophies should focus on learning, teaching philosophy should also include how others learn, and methods to light the fire and ignite the love of learning in those we are educating. Educators should center their philosophy on creating a significant learning environment to meet the needs of diverse learners.

When it comes to learning theories, I most strongly identify as a constructivist. Some of the contributing theorists of constructivism are Bruner, Dewey, Glasersfeld, and Vygotsky, with the main theorist being Jean Piaget. I identify with being a constructivist more because it focuses on creating meaning from experience and includes conversation and participation. Tony Bates (2019) states of the constructivist approach that individuals strive to find order in their minds and, "the means by which this is done are complex and multi-faceted, from personal reflection, seeking new information, to testing ideas through social contact with others". The constructivist theory is more closely related to my goals as an educator due to its focus on personal meaning and social aspects of learning.

However, there are facets of all learning theories that I identify with. My previously stated belief that learning is not one-size-fits-all aligns with my belief about learning theories. I believe theories are research on how people learn and provide a guide for educators to reach all learners. I also identify with behaviorism because I do believe that positive reinforcement can work at times, but it must be approached appropriately and in a way that is specific to your learner’s needs. However, I feel that this theory does not lend to enough control on the part of the learner. The social-cognitive theory is also a theory I can identify with because includes mentoring and self-direction which I believe to be of importance in a significant learning environment.

Identifying my learning style and which learning theories I align with has helped me to understand that learners are all different and research is ever-changing. My innovation plan on ePortfolios allows learning through practice, understanding, collaboration, and participation. I feel that my beliefs on learning and the roles of the educator and learners in the theories I identify with are built into all aspects of my plan. I look forward to being an educator that creates significant learning environments for all learners I work with and continuing the journey of learning and growth throughout the rest of my life.

References

Bates, T. (2019, March 17). Learning theories and online learning | Tony Bates. Tonybates.ca. https://www.tonybates.ca/2014/07/29/learning-theories-and-online-learning/

Harapnuik, D. (2021, November 10). Four keys to understanding learning theories. Harapnuik.org. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=6344

Smith, M. K. (1999-2020). ‘Learning theory’, The encyclopedia of pedagogy and informal education.

https://infed.org/mobi/learning-theory-models-product-and-process/

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."

-John Dewey

Annotated Bibliography

Bates, T. (2019, March 17). Learning theories and online learning | Tony Bates. Tonybates.ca. https://www.tonybates.ca/2014/07/29/learning-theories-and-online-learning/

Tony Bates, an author of 11 books on the field of online learning and education, discusses learning theories and the digital age classroom. You will find a link to his free ebook also. This site is useful for those in the field of virtual education. Working with learners 100% virtually provides its own set of challenges, and this site will help you to understand what is needed to tackle those challenges effectively. He covers behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism along with the theories and practices of teaching in the digital age.

Culatta, R. (2018). Learning Theories - InstructionalDesign.org. InstructionalDesign.org. https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/

In this resource, you will find a well-developed list of resources to develop your knowledge of learning theories developed by many experienced learning designers. It is geared toward anyone that is interested in the learning sciences and the art of designing effective learning experiences. Over 50 resources are linked to follow to learn more. I found that the information included on this site was well researched and scholarly.

Harapnuik, D. (2021a, February 9). Learner’s Mindset Explained. Harapnuik.org.

https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=8705

Dr. Dwayne Harapnuik shares the definition of a learner’s mindset and how it differs from a growth and innovator’s mindset in this article. This site provides not only the benefits of developing a learner’s mindset but the knowledge of how to go about it. Many scholarly references are provided to further learning and understanding of the learner’s mindset and all related to it. I found this helpful to guide my learning and evaluate my thoughts on the different types of mindsets and how they relate to learning.

Harapnuik, D. (2021b, November 10). Four keys to understanding learning theories. Harapnuik.org. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=6344

This website provides resources and an understanding of the main learning theories and the relationship between the most influential learning theories. It walks you through the history of learning theories and how they have changed throughout the years and guides you to think deeply about your beliefs in learning. This website helped me to define which learning theories I related to and assess how I apply each to my role as an educator and mentor/trainer. It provides the tools needed to begin the journey of understanding your beliefs on learning.

Herrington, J., Reeves, T. C., & Oliver, R. (2010). A Guide to Authentic e-Learning. Inresearchrepository.murdoch.edu.au. Routledge. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/1903/

This book provides the reader with a guide to understanding authentic experiences in e-learning. Learn to engage your learners in authentic tasks in virtual settings. I found this resource helpful in understanding how to take learning theories to the next level of 21st-century learning by incorporating online tools to recreate realistic situations that contain as much value online as in person. Anyone that works in a fully virutal environment can benefit from this research and apply it to effectively meet the needs of online learners.

International Bureau of Education. (2016, February 24). Most influential theories of learning. International Bureau of Education. http://www.ibe.unesco.org/en/geqaf/annexes/technical-notes/most-influential-theories-learning

This article from the International Bureau of Education provides information on the most influential learning theories. It includes information about behaviorist theories, cognitive psychology, constructivism, social constructivism, experiential learning, multiple intelligence, and situated learning theory and community of practice. It guides the reader through the historical use of the learning theories and how each theory relates to 21st-century learning and skills.

Revington, S. (2020). Authentic Learning. Authentic Learning. http://authenticlearning.weebly.com/

Steve Revington’s blog dives into the definition of authentic learning. You will read the benefits and approaches of implementing authentic learning into your classroom. This blog not only defines authentic learning for the reader but gives you questions to ask yourself as you are working with your learners to determine if you are creating authentic learning experiences for them. I found the clear graphics, charts, and wording on this site to be helpful in fully understanding the significance and important of creating authentic learning experiences for our learners.

Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. https://jotamac.typepad.com/jotamacs_weblog/files/Connectivism.pdf

This article focuses on the learning theory of connectivism. It will guide you through understanding the fine details behind this theory of learning. The background, along with the limitations, principles, and implications, of this theory is all shared and discussed in this article. This is a great read for learning more about the connectivism learning theory and how it is applied.

Smith, M. K. (1999-2020). ‘Learning theory’, The encyclopedia of pedagogy and informal education.

https://infed.org/mobi/learning-theory-models-product-and-process/

Mark K. Smith's learning research over the years is included in detail on this website. It provides the reader with the understanding of not only learning theories, but with the process of learning and what people perceive learning to be. Most of this resource focuses on the definition of learning and provides a path to understanding what learning is and what it entails. This site provided me with the basis of what I believed about learning and the understanding of that foundation. Included you will also find many resources to continue your studies and research.

Tan, S. C., & Hung, D. (2002). Beyond information pumping: Creating a constructivist e-learning environment.

Repository.nie.edu.sg, 42(5). https://repository.nie.edu.sg/handle/10497/4735

Tan and Hung discuss creating a constructivist e-learning environment in this article. It discusses the advantages of e-learning being 24/7 availability, ease of updating, quick delivery, self-paced learning, and the ease of collaborating and sharing. IT argues that adopting a social constructivist approach based on Vygotskian theories of learning and situated cognition may be the key. Focusing more on active learning rather than information pumping what makes a difference in our learners. I found this article helpful to learning more about my innovation plan being implemented fully online. This helped with my understanding of the best approach since I also lean towards a constructivist view of learning.

Theories_History of learning theories – KB. (2018). What Teachers Should Know about Learning Theories. https://kb.edu.hku.hk/learning_theory_history/

A detailed chart of the history of learning theories can be found on this site. It includes behaviorism, humanism, cognitivism, and constructivism (cognitive constructivism and social constructivism). I found the details in the chart useful to determine where my beliefs on learning were the most prevalent and to understand how my personal beliefs have developed and evolved over time. You will also find helpful links to instructional approaches and classroom strategies on this page.

Above, you will find a video that is useful in learning more about the learning theories and helpful in determining which learning theory you most identify with. Below, you will find my annotated bibliography of resources that I used in research for my learning philosophy and those that I would like to study more in the future.