Teaching+Philosophy

My Portfolio

My Teaching/Learning Philosophy

Learning occurs through a variety of methods. The relationship between the students and the instructor, and the environment in which students work and learn together is the core of a successful classroom. There must be a facilitator in the learning environment. An instructor is an integral part of the learning experience. //Who is the best teacher? Do Different Students Have Different Preference?// This article addresses students views on there teachers (Rosemarin, 2009). An instructor must recognize students as individuals who have different learning styles. Regardless of intellect, students are more receptive to teachers who treat them as people. Therefore, learning must be regarded as teamwork. In order for learning to be successful, teaching and learning cannot occur without the cooperation and mutual respect of the all parties involved.

Instructors must lead their team to learning by providing information and problems in a thought provoking method that encourages students to build on their own knowledge and seek further knowledge. Gange states that “curiosity motivates students to learn”, //(//Kruse, 2008) and I could not agree more with that concept, I see myself as asking a question or providing some piece of information that would provoke my students to find out more information. Using a variety of medium to present information provides the biggest opportunity for all students to learn in the classroom. I strongly believe that using multi-media presentations that compliment verbal explanations from the instructor are very effective in presenting information to students (Kruse, 2008).

As a student who has been confused in the classroom, I believe in providing students with “learning objectives” (Kruse, 2008), so that that can be oriented to what they will be learning. Learning occurs best when students are informed of what they will be learning and how they will be learning it.

Although there is a hierarchy of power between student and teacher, I believe teachers have an obligation to create a nurturing environment where students feel comfortable and are not afraid to ask questions of the teacher/instructor. Learning expectations should be set high, and students should be challenged to meet them. I would never want to overwhelm my students, but I believe by setting the expectations high, you are motivating them to push themselves to see their own potential, which is far more personally rewarding for students than feeling that their instructor does not think they are capable. These expectations need to be set for students as individuals rather than as a whole (Gibbon, 2003).

Students who are able to demonstrate their knowledge through various methods are going to succeed. Instructors cannot take the one size fits all approach to learning. Wolk describe the ideal learning environment, “ smaller learning environments, coupled with teaching to learning personalities will provide the best rate of success for students” (Wolk, 2010). I do not think I would make a successful educator if I could not address different learning styles in the classroom.

Having the opportunity to offer assistance to students that need it is imperative in my teaching style. Having gone back to college as an adult learner, I have had the negative experience of having a professor snap at me for asking a question. This experience was embarrassing, and prevented me from asking any future questions in the class. In my classroom I will never make a student feel that intimidated to ask a question (Kruse, 2008).

I cannot imagine teaching to different learning styles, creating a comfortable learning environment, and treating students as individuals in a traditional classroom setting. I believe there is a need for direct group instruction that involves lecture and presentations. However, I believe that students need to be able to create and formulate their own opinions in collaborative work areas where desks are grouped together in a way that allows for group discussion (Kruse, 2008). Having areas where students can sit, stand or walk around allows for creative energy to flow and brainstorming to occur. Some students simply think better on their feet, or on a bean bag chair, or while writing ideas or images on an easel.The use of laptops or computers in the classroom assists in learning in a number of ways. Students and instructors can use the computer in the classroom as a resource to find information. Students can demonstrate their knowledge through the use of a variety of projects that can be created using computers. I would ensure that learning styles were addressed by creating assignments that allow students to choose from a variety of methods using the computer. Such as having a project that could be presented using presentation software, or by writing a report, creating a video or song, or a model or graph. The use of computers helps to make addressing different learning styles more manageable with regards to time, and it is easier to implement in the classroom because students can use computers to create many diverse assignments.

My classroom design represents my ideals of how learning occurs. I have an area designated for presentations and lectures which is where I would provide direction, define learning goals, and where students can present their projects to the class. I also have desks arranged in groups of four, which face each other for collaborative learning projects which allow students to work together in groups. Every desk has a laptop computer that allows students to create, find and evaluate information. In the back of my classroom I have an oval table with chairs where I will be able to provide small group or one on one instruction for students that need assistance or to meet with groups individually. I also have a Media/Creative area that contains several areas for brainstorming and relaxation. There is an easel, with stools for students to draw their ideas or images when brainstorming on projects. Arm chairs and an easel table also allow for more brainstorming activities. Bean bag chairs on a rug also allow for students to relax, work quietly, and collaborate. There is also a small kitchenette, equipped with a microwave, cabinets, refrigerator and small dining table with chairs for snacking and refueling. ("Collaborative classroom design," )

In summary, I assimilate my teacher style to a team, where I am the coach and the students are the team members. As the coach, I teach them the plays; treat them as individuals by recognizing their talents, and encourage them to win by setting my expectations high. A team can’t play without the right equipment, in the classroom, team members need the equipment that pertains to their learning style. They need to have a place to practice their skills, and build onto their knowledge base, they need the space to refuel, let energy out and create new ideas with other team members.

Gibbon. (2003). Review essay: Why teachers matter. Journal of Education, 184(3), 45-57.

Kruse, K. (2008, January). //Gagne//. Retrieved from []

Rosemarin, S. (2009). Who is the best teacher? do different students have different preferences?. Gifted Education International, 25, 48-55.

Wolk, R. (2010, April). Education: The case for marking. Educational Leadership, 16-23.

//Collaborative classroom design//. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://74.6.238.254/search/srpcache?ei=UTF-8&p=collaborative classroom design&fr=slv8-frtr&u=http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=collaborative classroom design&d=4533226700211356&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=86d3224d,1757b703&icp=1&.intl=us&sig=U28qz01bW9wcsJnUsgO6PQ--