I have to say that this ranks as one of the hardest blog questions we have had this term. What is my philosophy of learning? As both a teacher and a learner, I would like to think that I have a perspective what shows both sides of the learning question. I think, though, that I don’t always have that holistic perspective. Technology is important in learning. As a learner, I know this. As a teacher who works predominately online, I believe this to a point – until I have a student that does not have the basic technology skills to be successful in an online environment. Motivation, goal setting, attention to detail, perseverance, and a love of learning are vital in any learning environment – online or face-to-face. In an online environment, though, students have to learn how to do these things without being reminded. My five must haves to learn fit into my philosophy of learning.
Sir Ken Robinson (2011) noted that education is personal. We each come to education for our own reasons and with our own experiences that will inevitably affect our education. If something is meaningful to me, I will strive harder to learn to have it in my life. Believing that education is personal reminds me that I have to set goals and motivate myself to meet those goals. Learning is not an end game. A diploma is not the end of the road. To me, learning is a lifelong activity. In our journey, we may cross roads we have traveled and we may forge new roads. The point is that we continue to learn and grow.
My philosophy of learning is pretty straightforward – learning is personal and learning is lifelong. The act of learning does not need to occur in a classroom nor because of a book or a theory. I very much agree with Siemens and his thoughts on connectivism. Siemens (2006) noted that connectivism makes connections “that enable us to learn more are more important than our current state of knowing” (p. 30). These connections are not tied to a school, to a book, or to one person. Rather, we form networks that feed us knowledge as we feed it. Learning is not linear. It meanders and finds its way. Connectivism allows this because the network is not linear. Connectivism is also an applicable theory because it allows the individual to form their own connections while making connections with others. Learning is at once an individual and a team sport with no rules.
Technology applies to my philosophy of learning for one simple fact – learning should be flat and easily accessible. I believe that technology flattens education and gives all a chance. Yes there are problems with equitable access; however, technology allows more people to access learning institutions and learning in general than face-to-face campuses. Open sources, Google , eReaders, the list can go on forever on how technology has changed how and why we learn.
In relating my five criteria for learning, I have to include a thought from Randy Pausch (2008):
But remember, the brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.
Learning means taking risks and chances. Learning means relying on one’s self as well as one’s network. Learning is a work in progress.
References
Pausch, R. (2008). The last lecture. New York: Hyperion.
Robinson, K. (2011). Interview. Future of Education Webinar.
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge. Canada: Author.
