In my PSI Literacy in Education class I was asked to write my own pedagogic creed on education based off of John Dewey's. Before beginning the assignment I was unsure about what I was going to write. Therefore, it came as a huge surprise (and relief) to me when I began and the ideas flowed out! I realized that I have very strong beliefs about education and what it should mean. I am curious to see how my pedagogic creed will change as I learn and grow as a teacher.
"My Pedagogic Creed: A Personal Statement of Beliefs"
Article 1: What Education Is...
I believe that education is the foundation of a society of independent, introspective, and innovative learners. Education should provide the tools for learners to better acquire knowledge and to navigate the world around them. Education is an ongoing process that should occur inside and outside of institutions such as schools. It should be a stimulating and engaging process that both excites and challenges learners into pursuing a life of learning. I believe that education should centre around social interactions because people are social creatures, and seem to learn best in social environments.
Education should be sensitive to the varying factors that contribute to a learner's learning. Some people learn better with visual aids, others through auditory cues, and others still with kinesthetic hands-on problems. While the learning is individual for each learner, the process of learning should be a social one. I believe that the learners should be able to learn from each other, from themselves, and from the instructor. The education process should recognize not only the different learning styles of learners, but also the importance of the psychological, emotional, and physiological states of the learner. The more positive each of these states are the more likely the learner is to engage in their education and actually learn.
Article 2: What the School is...
I believe that the school should be a safe, engaging, and stimulating institution that embraces its diverse community of learners. The school should motivate the learners and assist the learners in their learning. It should establish respect, integrity, and honor amongst the learners. The school should facilitate a learning environment where there is a sense of camaraderie between the learners and never the feeling of competition for knowledge because knowledge of all kinds is best learned through shared social experiences.
Article 3: The Subject Matter of Education...
The subject matter of education should by no means be limited to the curriculum. I believe that some of the most important and crucial lessons that learners encounter during their education at school is not from the curriculum itself. Instead, I believe that the most valuable lessons come out of the different kinds of interactions that occur. Therefore, I think it follows that instructors should try to facilitate as many different kinds of social interactions as possible while engaging with the curriculum so that the learner is exposed to as many facets of learning as possible.
Article 4: The Nature of Method...
The nature of excellent teaching methods I believe begins first and foremost with an open mind. Before learning of any kind can begin the instructor should be able to throw away their preconceptions and personal biases. This is essential to learning processes because if the instructor retains these notions then they are not approaching their learners with only them in mind, and it can impede the learning process.
The next crucial step is relationship building. In order for a positive and safe learning environment to be established there first must be some kind of relationship built between the learners and the instructor, and the learners and each other. Once these two steps are completed then the learning can begin in earnest.
Article 5: The School and Social Progress...
I do believe that the education received at school is the vehicle to social progress because the more a learner learns the more they will realize they have to learn. Hopefully, these learners will be able to recognize their own prejudices and biases, and be able to actively work against them.
If the school is able to successfully encourage individuals to pursue lifelong learning, to embrace collaboration, and to critically think for themselves then social progress will be inevitable. Education should lead to social progress because it encourages students to be active members of society. With activity comes change.
Kaitlin McMitchell
"My Pedagogic Creed: A Personal Statement of Beliefs"
Article 1: What Education Is...
I believe that education is the foundation of a society of independent, introspective, and innovative learners. Education should provide the tools for learners to better acquire knowledge and to navigate the world around them. Education is an ongoing process that should occur inside and outside of institutions such as schools. It should be a stimulating and engaging process that both excites and challenges learners into pursuing a life of learning. I believe that education should centre around social interactions because people are social creatures, and seem to learn best in social environments.
Education should be sensitive to the varying factors that contribute to a learner's learning. Some people learn better with visual aids, others through auditory cues, and others still with kinesthetic hands-on problems. While the learning is individual for each learner, the process of learning should be a social one. I believe that the learners should be able to learn from each other, from themselves, and from the instructor. The education process should recognize not only the different learning styles of learners, but also the importance of the psychological, emotional, and physiological states of the learner. The more positive each of these states are the more likely the learner is to engage in their education and actually learn.
Article 2: What the School is...
I believe that the school should be a safe, engaging, and stimulating institution that embraces its diverse community of learners. The school should motivate the learners and assist the learners in their learning. It should establish respect, integrity, and honor amongst the learners. The school should facilitate a learning environment where there is a sense of camaraderie between the learners and never the feeling of competition for knowledge because knowledge of all kinds is best learned through shared social experiences.
Article 3: The Subject Matter of Education...
The subject matter of education should by no means be limited to the curriculum. I believe that some of the most important and crucial lessons that learners encounter during their education at school is not from the curriculum itself. Instead, I believe that the most valuable lessons come out of the different kinds of interactions that occur. Therefore, I think it follows that instructors should try to facilitate as many different kinds of social interactions as possible while engaging with the curriculum so that the learner is exposed to as many facets of learning as possible.
Article 4: The Nature of Method...
The nature of excellent teaching methods I believe begins first and foremost with an open mind. Before learning of any kind can begin the instructor should be able to throw away their preconceptions and personal biases. This is essential to learning processes because if the instructor retains these notions then they are not approaching their learners with only them in mind, and it can impede the learning process.
The next crucial step is relationship building. In order for a positive and safe learning environment to be established there first must be some kind of relationship built between the learners and the instructor, and the learners and each other. Once these two steps are completed then the learning can begin in earnest.
Article 5: The School and Social Progress...
I do believe that the education received at school is the vehicle to social progress because the more a learner learns the more they will realize they have to learn. Hopefully, these learners will be able to recognize their own prejudices and biases, and be able to actively work against them.
If the school is able to successfully encourage individuals to pursue lifelong learning, to embrace collaboration, and to critically think for themselves then social progress will be inevitable. Education should lead to social progress because it encourages students to be active members of society. With activity comes change.
Kaitlin McMitchell