teaching

These (philosophies) are very much a work in progress.

I see teaching as a mode of instructing, guiding, and assisting a student in attaining, retaining, and applying new knowledge, ideas, and skills. I think a key idea here is that the teacher is in a position to help or enhance a student’s learning in a way they (the student) could not as effectively (learn) on their own.

I expressed this somewhat in the previous paragraph but I believe essentially that learning is to attain new knowledge, ideas, and/or skills. The level or effectiveness of learning can vary greatly, and I think that is best measured in the way that the knowledge can be retained and applied.

If you missed the chance to listen to Ken Bain speak last spring, get his book. For those who value not only command of the subject but also creating an environment in the teaching of it, that lights a fire in the minds and hearts of learners, It is a great great read.
Click here to read more »

After 12 weeks study, learning has multiple meanings for me. It is not as simple as it was. I mean after learning so many relative theories about learning, I understand learning much better than before. Certainly, learning has different definitions according to different theories, but all the theories told me that learning could be facilitated when we select appropriate ways in learning process.

Well, this is it.  My final entry in the Learning Theories class for Summer of 2009.  I thought it was best to wrap up this class with a short but sweet blog, so here goes.

Learning is when you, your child, your friend, any living thing, incorporates new knowledge which changes their life, no matter how minimal.  The best type of learning is the type that influences the learner's life for the better, but unfortunately, a lot of learning hinders the learner's life.  That's where teachers come in.  Teachers are not just people in a classroom during the school day, helping people learn.  Teachers are anybody, any living thing that helps facilitate learning.