My
philosophy of education
Education refers to the wealth and knowledge acquired by an individual after studying particular subject matters or experiencing life lessons that provide an understanding of something. In addition, education is considered to be transmitted in a formal setting. However, my view of education goes beyond experiences that one gathers from life or the act of acquiring knowledge in a formal setting. The act of going to school to study a subject matter, textbooks, and being surrounded by school building and libraries are just limited factors or misconceptions of education. I believe that education is a process; a journey through which one can acquire wisdom. In other words, it is the process that allows individuals/students to develop critical thinking and guides them towards wisdom which is not only limited to acquire from a particular setting but also from the environment, family members and other educational resources that one can gather from the media/internet which grant persons/students with the knowledge and skills to be self-sufficient.
Additionally, I believe that the definite goal of education is to transform or change us as individuals into better people by equipping us with the power to think critically, to construct our own knowledge and to realize our true potential. Therefore, in order for teachers to enable the achievement of this goal, they should assume the role of a facilitator, guiding students in the teaching and learning process while they (students) assume the role of active learners, being responsible for their own learning.
A teacher-facilitator will promote individual as well as collaborative learning; he/she will recommend or instruct students to reflect in order for learning to take place. While facilitating learning, I believe the most important of all is the fact that teachers must make learning as authentic as possible by making relations to the students’ experiences which will allow them to better grasp or understand the content. By doing so, the teachers acknowledge the fact the learners possess some background knowledge and they are not ignorant or empty vessels. I also believe that teachers should be professional as they are a role model to students. They must act and show respect not only towards students but towards everyone with whom they have contact or interact, demonstrate politeness and courtesy, and be responsible for their own actions which will impact students’ lives positively by promoting life-long learning and making them become better citizen. They will be like compel to do the same or be the teacher’s disciple since they spend most of their time at school.
While talking about roles, I need to mention that the 21st century brings new roles for the students as well. Meaning that not only teachers assume role in the learning experience but the students play a crucial role in their own learning also. When it comes to education, students must challenge themselves to be creative/critical thinkers, and master collaborative skills which will increase their knowledge. In order words, they are required to construct their own learning as opposed to memorizing academic content which does not transform you into an educated being. In essence, it simply limits you to realizing your unique potential. Moreover, through collaborative learning, I believe students learn better because they feel more comfortable with their peers. Therefore, while sharing with each other, they will learn more. When students think, they engage in reflection which allows them to use their prior knowledge to make sense and organize the new knowledge. Also I believe students should engage in constructive discussion which will facilitate them to discern right from wrong.
When both teachers and students assume their roles in the teaching and learning process then education becomes life, the journey through which one acquires knowledge and skills to be self-cultivated, to be wise and free.
Author: Jempsline Massenat Bataille (2014)
Education refers to the wealth and knowledge acquired by an individual after studying particular subject matters or experiencing life lessons that provide an understanding of something. In addition, education is considered to be transmitted in a formal setting. However, my view of education goes beyond experiences that one gathers from life or the act of acquiring knowledge in a formal setting. The act of going to school to study a subject matter, textbooks, and being surrounded by school building and libraries are just limited factors or misconceptions of education. I believe that education is a process; a journey through which one can acquire wisdom. In other words, it is the process that allows individuals/students to develop critical thinking and guides them towards wisdom which is not only limited to acquire from a particular setting but also from the environment, family members and other educational resources that one can gather from the media/internet which grant persons/students with the knowledge and skills to be self-sufficient.
Additionally, I believe that the definite goal of education is to transform or change us as individuals into better people by equipping us with the power to think critically, to construct our own knowledge and to realize our true potential. Therefore, in order for teachers to enable the achievement of this goal, they should assume the role of a facilitator, guiding students in the teaching and learning process while they (students) assume the role of active learners, being responsible for their own learning.
A teacher-facilitator will promote individual as well as collaborative learning; he/she will recommend or instruct students to reflect in order for learning to take place. While facilitating learning, I believe the most important of all is the fact that teachers must make learning as authentic as possible by making relations to the students’ experiences which will allow them to better grasp or understand the content. By doing so, the teachers acknowledge the fact the learners possess some background knowledge and they are not ignorant or empty vessels. I also believe that teachers should be professional as they are a role model to students. They must act and show respect not only towards students but towards everyone with whom they have contact or interact, demonstrate politeness and courtesy, and be responsible for their own actions which will impact students’ lives positively by promoting life-long learning and making them become better citizen. They will be like compel to do the same or be the teacher’s disciple since they spend most of their time at school.
While talking about roles, I need to mention that the 21st century brings new roles for the students as well. Meaning that not only teachers assume role in the learning experience but the students play a crucial role in their own learning also. When it comes to education, students must challenge themselves to be creative/critical thinkers, and master collaborative skills which will increase their knowledge. In order words, they are required to construct their own learning as opposed to memorizing academic content which does not transform you into an educated being. In essence, it simply limits you to realizing your unique potential. Moreover, through collaborative learning, I believe students learn better because they feel more comfortable with their peers. Therefore, while sharing with each other, they will learn more. When students think, they engage in reflection which allows them to use their prior knowledge to make sense and organize the new knowledge. Also I believe students should engage in constructive discussion which will facilitate them to discern right from wrong.
When both teachers and students assume their roles in the teaching and learning process then education becomes life, the journey through which one acquires knowledge and skills to be self-cultivated, to be wise and free.
Author: Jempsline Massenat Bataille (2014)