What is learning?
This week I have been thinking about learning in the context of my life. It seemed that during high school, I would learn to get a grade. I did not put much stock into my learning, and I don't think I took full advantage of my learning opportunities. In my pre graduate studies, I took learning a little more seriously, but still going to classes, doing homework, studying for finals was more a chore. I did not learn in the context of, how will I use this knowledge in my life? I think now that I am at the end of my formal education, I look at the classes I take as opportunities. As I take classes I try to apply the material to my life, and utilize it, not merely just get a grade. This has me wonder, is learning an attitude? Surprisingly, quite a few of the parents of students I have taught never graduated from High School. Usually, in the IEP meetings, the parent would explain to their child how important education is, and how they wish they would have stayed in school, and took advantage of it. I think we value learning more as we mature.
How can learning best be effectuated....
The teachers who have had the most impact on my life are teachers who are passionate about what they teach. Teachers who have experience in their field, love it, and want to share their knowledge with others. Usually these teachers have an interest in helping students share their same passion, or at least understand why they are passionate about their field of study. I think excitement about a subject rubs off on those you teach.
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I was mentioning to somebody not long ago something similar to what you write about here. As we reflect back it is often common for us to wonder why we did not do better or approach things more seriously. I am the same way. I agree that we value learning more as we mature. I believe that teachers must have passion as well. We have all seen those teachers who are there without a real passion. Unfortunately this rubs off on their students.
ReplyDeleteI too have matured as a learner over the years. School used to be a chore and I did it to get good grades, but here in graduate school, I really want to get the most from my education. So I think much of learning is attitude.
ReplyDeleteA teachers passion can rub off on students and make them intrinsically motivated. I think back to high school and one of my classes that I was so motivated to do well in wasn't even one of my interest, but my teacher was so passionate about it, that it made me passionate about it.