My personal philosophy of education is most closely related to constructivism, which is a theory based on the thought that learning is student led and teachers are the facilitators of children’s learning. Within this type of learning students are required to be active thinkers, explainers, interpreters and questioners (Woolfolk & Margetts,2007). Constructivism is an educational philosophy that focuses on constructing knowledge through rich and authentic student centered learning experiences, rather than the reproduction of knowledge from teachers. Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky are accredited for developing these theories.
My area of specialisation within primary education is early childhood literacy however; my passion is special needs education. I understand that classroom education is not just about teaching and learning but a range of different factors that work together in order to provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment that caters to each individual child. I believe that there are vital elements in order to create this environment and they include subject knowledge, knowledge of students’ abilities, wants and needs, differentiation of work, the ability to change and adapt to different situations, a fun learning environment which is warm, welcoming, caring, understanding and approachable. Over the last nine years I have worked within many different classrooms. The teachers who were most successful in providing a successful learning environment used all these elements and were able to respect each individual child’s learning needs.
I believe through education it is my responsibility to empower all students within my care. It is important to celebrate and cater for diversity and inclusion within the classroom, where each student values and respects one another’s abilities, gender, religion, race, culture, family and socioeconomic status (1.3).
I understand that
References: Woolfolk & Margetts. (2007). Educational psychology. Frenchs Forest N.S.W.: Pearson Education Australia. Northern Illinois University, College of Business Experiential Learning Centre (2011) Experimental Learning retrieved August ,10 2013 from http://www.cob.niu.edu/elc/