Philosophy of Learning

Selma Musanovic
EDU-211 Behavior Observation in Education
Professor Aria

The ability to learn is one of the most powerful things one can come across, and one that,
with the right opportunities and guidance, everyone can use and take advantage of. Learning is
synonymous to obtaining and gaining. Whether it is to gain new information, a new skill, a
personal discovery, or any other new concept, learning is so valuable because it allows for
broadening of the mind. In turn, learning allows us to understand many views of the world
around us and lead an enriched life. No matter what is being learned, no matter how small of a
concept it may be, all that one learns stays with them throughout their entire life in one way or
another.
For students in school, all the information they learn is just the beginning. Of course,
curriculum is important, but it is the process of learning the curriculum that allows students to
learn more than just information. Learning in school gives students the opportunity to obtain
information in addition to skills and personal characteristics. Through the process, many
different learning styles emerge among individual students. Students can be auditory, visual or
tactile learnersor even a combination of any of the three. Also, according to Howard Gardners
Multiple Intelligences Theory, can learn through as many as nine means and contexts, namely
intelligences such as mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, nature, musical, and more.
Moreover, students can combine their personal learning style with their strongest intelligences to
effectively learn new information or skills. For example, a students homework assignment is to
memorize the spelling of a list of countries taught in class. Seeing the teacher spell the countries
on the board, writing the countries multiple times, and playing a spelling game in class did not
help and the student is stuck. So, the student turns to the internet to search for new ideas and
comes across a song on YouTube that spells the countries. After a few listens, the student is able
to easily spell the words and even makes up a similar song to help her remember different parts

of the body. In a simple homework assignment, the student has learned information (the spelling
of the countries), practiced a new skill (conducting internet research to find additional
information) and made a personal discovery (an auditory learning style with a strong musical
intelligence). Scenarios such as these are the essence of true learning. The important thing to
realize is that learning styles influence ones ability to learn and vice versa. That is, through
learning, one learns new information as well as their own strengths and weaknesses.
Because everyone learns in a different way, effective learning situations will be very
busy. Perhaps it is an introductory lesson; in that case, the instructor should have all students
participate in the same activities to understand who learns best in what manner. For example,
when learning the location of countries in the world, the teacher may want to have a reading
passage from the textbook, a map-labeling activity paired with color coding, and a video that
verbalizes locations; these reach out to the many domains of learning. Which type activity each
student seems more dedicated to and interested in should be the means of learning that the
student turns to most for the rest of the unit.
For more in-depth lessons, each student will learn individually the way that is best for
them. Different variations of the same lesson may be going on at the same time; some students
may need silence while some may need noise. Some students may need a Smartboard while
some may need pencil and paper. Some students may prefer to ask the teacher questions while
some may prefer to search textbooks and the internet. In situations like these, it may be best to
set up different stations with activities for the students to choose from. If this is not possible, two
or more types of activities should be paired together as in an introductory lesson.
An instructor must be prepared and flexible in order to guide students in their learning. A
multitude of options serves as the best learning situation because it provides struggling students

with alternatives. So, the students should feel comfortable enough in their learning environment
to not be shy in trying new activities. The class in general should be an accepting environment,
but the teacher-student relationship specifically should be strong. Particularly for young students,
the teacher is the one who provides the optimal learning environment and successful learning
opportunities; the teacher is the one who facilitates learning.
To facilitate learning, I will provide the basics. For each lesson, I will set up a framework
that contains essential questions and somewhat of a structure, particularly for beginner ELLs.
Providing a guide but leaving room for student flexibility will allow students to think critically
about each essential question and how they will use the answers in later grades and even outside
of school. I will know that the student has understood a concept when they are able to reiterate
what they have learned: orally by simply expressing it to me, physically through a hands-on
experience or a project, or in writing through prompts. Students should be able to complete each
lesson and leave the classroom everyday having an understanding of the facts and skills I teach
and, more importantly, when to use these facts and skills. I plan to review previous days lessons,
even if for a few minutes a day, to ensure that the concepts have stayed with each student.
As I am a very understanding person, I will always try my best to understand
unconventional ways of student expression. I will make it a point in my classroom to allow for
creativity and diversity at all possible times. I envision a class in which students are comfortable
with making mistakes and also with letting out their true thoughts, as this is the only way they
will be able to fully partake in the learning process. With my organization, subject matter
knowledge, compassion and understanding, I will make sure that students learn information,
skills, and concepts about themselves and the world around them that will provide them with