Philosophy of Teaching
I believe an effective teacher is the combination of many qualities and best practices. An effective teacher is someone who is reflective about his or her teaching practices, uses formal reflective tools such as student growth measurement data, research-based instructional strategies and self-reflection. Furthermore, an effective teacher is receptive to trying a variety of instructional strategies and will collaborate with colleagues in order to problem-solve. I believe the classroom provides a place for teachers to be life-long learners and students to be actively involved in their own learning.
In order for critical thinking to occur, students must be actively engaged in their education. Consequently, the teacher becomes the facilitator of relevant learning opportunites not the center of them. Effective teachers understand that they are available to help students access the vast amount of knowledge and information available to them today. An effective teacher teaches students how to sift through information in order to find and identify credible sources. I want my future students to learn how to be critical thinkers and how to effectively analyze information.
I plan to implement project based learning opportunities to support the curriculum in my own classroom. This instructional method encourages student focused learning. Project based learning will also allow me to evaluate my students' higher level thinking skills. Bloom's Taxonomy will provide guidance when creating differentiated assessments. In order to demonstrate student growth on standardized testing assessment, I must meet students were they are academically and help them grow. When possible, I will allow students choice in what they are doing. Choice encourages interest which leads to genuine learning experiences and more positive learning outcomes. I believe that a constructivist approach is a powerful and effective instructional method that allows students to connect new information to "schema" or prior knowledge.
In order for critical thinking to occur, students must be actively engaged in their education. Consequently, the teacher becomes the facilitator of relevant learning opportunites not the center of them. Effective teachers understand that they are available to help students access the vast amount of knowledge and information available to them today. An effective teacher teaches students how to sift through information in order to find and identify credible sources. I want my future students to learn how to be critical thinkers and how to effectively analyze information.
I plan to implement project based learning opportunities to support the curriculum in my own classroom. This instructional method encourages student focused learning. Project based learning will also allow me to evaluate my students' higher level thinking skills. Bloom's Taxonomy will provide guidance when creating differentiated assessments. In order to demonstrate student growth on standardized testing assessment, I must meet students were they are academically and help them grow. When possible, I will allow students choice in what they are doing. Choice encourages interest which leads to genuine learning experiences and more positive learning outcomes. I believe that a constructivist approach is a powerful and effective instructional method that allows students to connect new information to "schema" or prior knowledge.
Philosophy of Technology
I believe we need technology in the classroom today in order to have prepared citizens for tomorrow. Each day our lives become more deeply engrained with technology. It has changed our modes of communication, transportation, production, and many other areas. We need to make a conscious effort to prepare students to not just survive but flourish in the world we live in today. Media and technology tools can help give students the push they need to be creative, collaborative, and adaptive learners, both now and in future job markets.
I have also learned to be critical of technology in the classroom. Technology tools as well as well as any other poorly implemented teaching tool can lead to a multitude of issues. Before bringing a new tool into the classroom, I consider whether the tool will in some way improve a lesson. A technology tool can enhance a lesson by making it more interesting and increasing student engagement. A technology tool can make a lesson more efficient by decreasing time spent on a task, this allows time for more learning activities. A technology tool can increase effectiveness in the classroom by improving student learning outcomes. If a technology tool does not do one or more of these things, then it probably is not worthy of the classroom.
Crucial for digital learners is how to use technology appropriately and responsibly. My students will learn the importance of netiquette and will be conscious of their digital footprint. I believe appropriate technology use is best learned early on. Furthermore, students need to learn the importance of balancing technology with other aspects of life. With best practices for technology use in place, my hope is that technology will allow my students to use tools each day in creative ways that enhance their learning.
Technology does not take place of an effective teacher. I believe human interactions and communications are essential to the learning environment. Additionally, I believe technology can and should make life easier by improving workflow and minimizing time spent on classroom management activities such as grading and organization. Not only can technology improve workflow it can also expand the walls of a classroom. Students can use technology tools to communicate with students on another continent. A virtual field trip is one example of a learning opportunity that can be accessible to a classroom with technological support.
My philosophy aligns well with a quote from the great developmental psychologist Jean Piaget, “The principal goal of education is to create men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.” To me this simply means that as educators we must constantly be rethinking and reevaluating the instructional methods and tools we use in the classroom in order to successfully educate students.
I have also learned to be critical of technology in the classroom. Technology tools as well as well as any other poorly implemented teaching tool can lead to a multitude of issues. Before bringing a new tool into the classroom, I consider whether the tool will in some way improve a lesson. A technology tool can enhance a lesson by making it more interesting and increasing student engagement. A technology tool can make a lesson more efficient by decreasing time spent on a task, this allows time for more learning activities. A technology tool can increase effectiveness in the classroom by improving student learning outcomes. If a technology tool does not do one or more of these things, then it probably is not worthy of the classroom.
Crucial for digital learners is how to use technology appropriately and responsibly. My students will learn the importance of netiquette and will be conscious of their digital footprint. I believe appropriate technology use is best learned early on. Furthermore, students need to learn the importance of balancing technology with other aspects of life. With best practices for technology use in place, my hope is that technology will allow my students to use tools each day in creative ways that enhance their learning.
Technology does not take place of an effective teacher. I believe human interactions and communications are essential to the learning environment. Additionally, I believe technology can and should make life easier by improving workflow and minimizing time spent on classroom management activities such as grading and organization. Not only can technology improve workflow it can also expand the walls of a classroom. Students can use technology tools to communicate with students on another continent. A virtual field trip is one example of a learning opportunity that can be accessible to a classroom with technological support.
My philosophy aligns well with a quote from the great developmental psychologist Jean Piaget, “The principal goal of education is to create men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.” To me this simply means that as educators we must constantly be rethinking and reevaluating the instructional methods and tools we use in the classroom in order to successfully educate students.