MY EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Each and every child is entitled to the best learning experience and is capable of learning; just need to understand the ways they learn.
Before joining IAAT, I was not aware that there are different philosophies behind education. As I was on path of my learning journey, got the clarity of the larger goal and purpose of education. The purpose of education changes according to the changing needs of the society. For instance, with the evolution of technology, inclusion of computers as a subject in the school was the need of today’s society. With the change in economy, there is a need in the society for women to work and become self independent. For this to happen, girl child education becomes imperative.
The education should be aimed at creating individuals with general abilities and values like; sensitivity to others, critical thinking, autonomy etcetera. As a teacher my commitment should be the growth of the children and focus on human excellence. The main purpose of education is to provide the fullest possible development of each learner for living morally, creatively and productively in a continuously evolving society. With this purpose in mind my philosophy of education has taken shape of a growing bud during my IAAT course, where a child should be prepared to walk on any path rather than creating the path for the child. The philosophy that has inspired me the most is Sri Aurobindo’s and Mother’s idea of Integral Education.
1. Integral education- a child is a whole being, not someone who can be compartmentalized into mind, body and spirit. For his education to be complete, it should cater to five aspects of his personality-Physical, Vital, Mental, Psychic and Spiritual. To achieve this, parents and teachers must collaborate and contribute to each of these aspects. It is of utmost importance that the parents create the right physical, emotional and spiritual environment at home, while setting the right example for the child and become his role models. This helps the child imbibe the right values and habits that form a strong foundation for a lifetime.
2. Providing a safe and secure environment in the class- An environment where each and every child feels safe to interact and express their thoughts and feelings. Positive bonding of a teacher with the students is very important aspect in creating supportive space in the class from where students can explore both academically and socially to take challenges and work on socio-emotional development. It will help in building relationships with peers, developing self esteem, self concept and socially appropriate behavior.
3. Teacher has to play the role of a guide or a facilitator in student’s learning journey- As Sri Aurobindo said, teacher is not an instructor or task master; he is a helper and a guide. What should be the role of an educator? Is an educator one
who gives students the right answers or is an educator a guru who guides them, shows them the path and also makes them responsible for their own learning? Teacher should help children in constructing knowledge through different learning experiences rather than imparting knowledge by lecturing. Degree of help or guidance may vary according to the age and need of the children.
Each and every child is entitled to the best learning experience and is capable of learning; just need to understand the ways they learn.
Before joining IAAT, I was not aware that there are different philosophies behind education. As I was on path of my learning journey, got the clarity of the larger goal and purpose of education. The purpose of education changes according to the changing needs of the society. For instance, with the evolution of technology, inclusion of computers as a subject in the school was the need of today’s society. With the change in economy, there is a need in the society for women to work and become self independent. For this to happen, girl child education becomes imperative.
The education should be aimed at creating individuals with general abilities and values like; sensitivity to others, critical thinking, autonomy etcetera. As a teacher my commitment should be the growth of the children and focus on human excellence. The main purpose of education is to provide the fullest possible development of each learner for living morally, creatively and productively in a continuously evolving society. With this purpose in mind my philosophy of education has taken shape of a growing bud during my IAAT course, where a child should be prepared to walk on any path rather than creating the path for the child. The philosophy that has inspired me the most is Sri Aurobindo’s and Mother’s idea of Integral Education.
1. Integral education- a child is a whole being, not someone who can be compartmentalized into mind, body and spirit. For his education to be complete, it should cater to five aspects of his personality-Physical, Vital, Mental, Psychic and Spiritual. To achieve this, parents and teachers must collaborate and contribute to each of these aspects. It is of utmost importance that the parents create the right physical, emotional and spiritual environment at home, while setting the right example for the child and become his role models. This helps the child imbibe the right values and habits that form a strong foundation for a lifetime.
2. Providing a safe and secure environment in the class- An environment where each and every child feels safe to interact and express their thoughts and feelings. Positive bonding of a teacher with the students is very important aspect in creating supportive space in the class from where students can explore both academically and socially to take challenges and work on socio-emotional development. It will help in building relationships with peers, developing self esteem, self concept and socially appropriate behavior.
3. Teacher has to play the role of a guide or a facilitator in student’s learning journey- As Sri Aurobindo said, teacher is not an instructor or task master; he is a helper and a guide. What should be the role of an educator? Is an educator one
who gives students the right answers or is an educator a guru who guides them, shows them the path and also makes them responsible for their own learning? Teacher should help children in constructing knowledge through different learning experiences rather than imparting knowledge by lecturing. Degree of help or guidance may vary according to the age and need of the children.
MY EMERGING PHILOSOPHY DURING IAAT COURSE
Learning, for me, was an outcome before I joined this course. But now I feel the more important part of learning is the process of learning and not the outcome.
The questions, ideas, thoughts and feelings that are generated in a child’s mind, as a part of the learning process are going to help the child in developing as a learner and discoverer and shaping his personality.
From my experience in the classroom I have come to believe that learning is an important part of teaching, and for effective teaching, one needs to be an active learner. Role of a teacher is that of a facilitator- helping students to discover themselves and the concepts. This is completely different from my previous idea of teacher as a knowledge giver.
One of my beliefs has completely toppled over during my course of saying ‘no to the wrong answers’. I believed that if a student is telling wrong or coming to a wrong answer we as a teacher should tell him that he is wrong and tell him the right answer, but during this course I have learnt that if we are saying so we are killing the creativity of that child. Rather than saying no straight away we can say it might be possible and help him in exploring more about his inquires and coming to the right conclusion.
Another aspect of education, which has completely changed my previous view, is the process of assessment and evaluation. The conventional system of education encourages the students to become efficient and ruthless achievers and instills a habit of striving for dominance over others rather than over one’s own shortcomings. But the work integrated assessments are closely aligned to the real world situations which will help children to develop skills and competencies along with academics. It also helps students in understanding their own growth and shortcomings. The feedback given to the students is an important part which helps students in improving in specific areas. I have developed a firm belief for continuum assessment by different basic types like rubric, checklists, projects, portfolios, performance checks, and presentations rather than the conventional exam or test.
I am amazed to see the paradigm shift in my own attitude towards life now by being a learner each day and this shift has only come through the guidance of my mentors and my practicing and the art of reflecting. And most importantly I have discovered that teaching with clarity, passion, empathy and sincere enthusiasm effectively impacts learners, ultimately connecting them to their passion and lifelong learning. The deeper I understand my journey the deeper will be my children’s understanding of their purpose of being. Moksha in learning is; I know nothing, I am here to learn and the more I learn the more I know.
The questions, ideas, thoughts and feelings that are generated in a child’s mind, as a part of the learning process are going to help the child in developing as a learner and discoverer and shaping his personality.
From my experience in the classroom I have come to believe that learning is an important part of teaching, and for effective teaching, one needs to be an active learner. Role of a teacher is that of a facilitator- helping students to discover themselves and the concepts. This is completely different from my previous idea of teacher as a knowledge giver.
One of my beliefs has completely toppled over during my course of saying ‘no to the wrong answers’. I believed that if a student is telling wrong or coming to a wrong answer we as a teacher should tell him that he is wrong and tell him the right answer, but during this course I have learnt that if we are saying so we are killing the creativity of that child. Rather than saying no straight away we can say it might be possible and help him in exploring more about his inquires and coming to the right conclusion.
Another aspect of education, which has completely changed my previous view, is the process of assessment and evaluation. The conventional system of education encourages the students to become efficient and ruthless achievers and instills a habit of striving for dominance over others rather than over one’s own shortcomings. But the work integrated assessments are closely aligned to the real world situations which will help children to develop skills and competencies along with academics. It also helps students in understanding their own growth and shortcomings. The feedback given to the students is an important part which helps students in improving in specific areas. I have developed a firm belief for continuum assessment by different basic types like rubric, checklists, projects, portfolios, performance checks, and presentations rather than the conventional exam or test.
I am amazed to see the paradigm shift in my own attitude towards life now by being a learner each day and this shift has only come through the guidance of my mentors and my practicing and the art of reflecting. And most importantly I have discovered that teaching with clarity, passion, empathy and sincere enthusiasm effectively impacts learners, ultimately connecting them to their passion and lifelong learning. The deeper I understand my journey the deeper will be my children’s understanding of their purpose of being. Moksha in learning is; I know nothing, I am here to learn and the more I learn the more I know.