Education - Educational Philosophy - Essay Example

Educational philosophy For to master knowledge, they need the opportunity to select their learning methods andset their learning goals. One way to motivate middle school learners is to engage them in stimulating discussions during learning. Students should be free to express their ideas. A teacher should help students develop social and emotional skills. Educational philosophy Introduction Teachers and tutors impart knowledge that helps students become responsible adults. Education entails helping the learners develop their cognitive, social and emotional abilities (Moore, 1982).

I believe every middle school learner needs a secure and stimulating education environment in order to achieve their learning goals (Noddings, 2012). There three things I strongly believe can help the leaner achieve his or her learning goals and grow their cognitive and social skills. Foremost, the teacher should act as a guide in order to allow the learner direct their own learning. Many years have since passed after Socrates cautioned his learners that unexamined life is not worth living, such as statement defines my philosophy of education.

The teacher should allow students to determine their learning goals (Moore, 1982). According to Robert Marzona, classroom assessments allow students to know their learning progress and learning outcomes and how they can improve their learning experience. Marzona advocates for topic-based and formative assessments in enhancing the student achievement (Moore, 1982). The teacher is as a role model to the middle school students. The physical mood of the teacher will determine the motivation of the students to learn.

A joyful mood and occasional smile will keep the students attentive during the learning process. Since the teacher guides, instructs and cares for the students, the teacher is, therefore, the society consider teachers as role models of the students (Noddings, 2012). McTighe emphasizes on understanding by design through his backward design model of learning. I believe that students should be self-directed in their learning; therefore they should be able to monitor and adjust their learning methods.

Learners should engage in cognitive processes by controlling and assessing their strengths and weaknesses of using a particular learning method (Moore, 1982). The teacher should ensure middle school learners attain component skills that allow students to integrate complex tasks in order to ensure fluency of learning. I believe the teacher should assist students to accept social challenges. Middle school students should be assisted to have self-control and communicate effectively. Self-efficacy and emotional skills will enable students to resolve disputes amicably without resulting to aggression and violence (Noddings, 2012).

Benjamin Bloom offers three learning types, that are cognitive (mental capabilities), affective (emotions and attitudes), and psychomotor (physical skills). I believe the teacher should guide students develop intellectual abilities like memory skills that help students to recall information. Students should also be able to translate and solve problems in class like translating equations in excel spreadsheets (Moore, 1982). Students should be able to analyze knowledge and distinguish facts and inferences and synthesize the information to arrive at new meaning.

The teacher should assist students to develop social skills by balancing freedom and responsible behavior. Middle school students should be assisted to appreciate cultural diversity and individual differences. The teacher should ensure all students actively participate in classroom discussions and presentations. The teacher should also ensure students demonstrate self-reliance while working independently and team work while in group work (Moore, 1982). According to Wiggin and McTighe, the teacher should utilize a backward design model.

The teacher should involve the students in identifying the learning outcomes by understanding their unique learning needs (Moore, 1982). The teacher should then design the assessment methods. Assessments help students know whether their learning goals have been achieved. Assessment feedback helps students to improve their own learning. Marzona asserts that formative assessment should focus on learning methods and leaner motivation (Moore, 1982). The formative assessment should promote the learning goals by enabling the learners to receive constructive guidance on how they can improve their learning experience.

Formative assessments are essential since the teacher can adjust the instruction methods and create lesson plans according to the learning progress of the learners (Noddings, 2012). Formative assessments motivate the learners become more responsible for their learning by developing self-evaluation and goal setting skills. The teacher should utilize both informal and formal assessment methods like open-ended and closed-ended questions. According to McThighe, the teacher should prepare the instruction methods after determining the assessment criteria.

The teacher should utilize various methods in teaching like videotapes and computer assisted instructions. The instruction materials should cater for all the learning goals (Noddings, 2012). It is the duty of the teacher to evaluate the ideas of leading theorists in the curriculum development. The teacher should identify all assumptions and emerging knowledge in the field of study (Noddings, 2012). As a role model, the teacher should act as facilitator by supporting problem-solving learning in small groups.

The teacher should guide students in gaining social and emotional capabilities but not only intellectual abilities. The teacher should create a positive learning environment (Noddings, 2012). The relationship of the teacher and middle school learners should be based on mutual trust. According to Socrates, the students have the knowledge; therefore, it is the duty of the teacher to reveal the knowledge in the students by engaging them in constructive dialogue like questions and answers. The teacher should ensure all students are free to ask questions and seek clarifications during the learning process (Noddings, 2012).

Conclusion Teaching provides me an opportunity for learning and growth. My hope is to share my learning experience with my students and insist of the role of social and emotional skills development for effective learning. I believe middle school students should not only gain intellectual knowledge but also social and cognitive skills. The ultimate goal of education is to guide students to excel in their adult life. Students should utilize the valuable knowledge to make a difference in the community.

References: Moore, T.W. (1982). Philosophy of education: an introduction. London. Routledge. Noddings, N. (2012). Philosophy of education. Colombia. Westview Press.