Final

Ernest Yeager
EDUC 6310
Educational Philosophy


While it is true that the point of education is to teach kids, it should be much more than that. Education is about growing and learning new information that can be applied to improve oneself. It is important to realize that becoming an educator is not just teaching kids but helping them realize what their strengths and weaknesses are. I plan to help students understand what they can do well and help them make decisions that will help their future.


A topic commonly used to address the true purpose of education is critical pedagogy. “In general, critical pedagogy supports pedagogical theories and practices that encourage both teachers and students to develop an understanding of the interconnecting relationship among ideology, power, and culture…(Stinson, 2012).” I feel the meaning behind critical pedagogy involves a sense of humanness. I as the teacher need to show that I am human and make mistakes. The mistakes that I have made and make help to shape me into the person I am. By being a positive example I can help to ensure the students gain the ability to work hard and find self-gratification so they can gain as much knowledge as they can from my class.


The student’s role contains many aspects. First the student needs to develop a level of respect for him/herself, parents, and teachers. Students need to appreciate the fact that they are getting a free education and should take advantage of it. I want to help teach the students how to do that. In order to grow, students need positive role models to help guide them. The student needs to have a safety zone and understand that while the teacher is there for them, they are ultimately responsible for their own education. I will not hand a student a passing grade if he or she does not earn it. A sense of accomplishment and achievement needs to be tied into the purpose of educating children.


In education it is necessary that the teacher is a flexible individual. Within my first year of teaching, I soon realized that events may not go as planned. I need to reflect on my teachings and determine what I can do better in the future to help create a smoother road. Many times students will not want to learn the material needed and will try to make me lose focus. When this arises, I want to enforce the discipline necessary to ensure proper learning for everyone.


Educators must also incorporate new ways of teaching. “Educators find numerous reasons to introduce medial literacy as part of the curriculum (Hobbs, 2011).” In order to change with the times and reach students at their level, I need to be willing to adapt new technology resources. My goal is to learn what it takes to reach students effectively. This may involve teaching critical media literacy in order to help them understand the media that they occur in their everyday environment.


“Technology plays an important role, not alone but as a constantly changing set of socially situated tools for literacy, for making sense of the world, and ourselves (Avila, 2013).” Teachers need to help students understand the community around them. The role of the teacher within the community should be based on their educational ties. As long as my students will benefit and gain understanding, I will engage within the community to help guide my students.

Resources:


Avila, J., & Pandya, J. (2013). Critical digital literacies as social praxis. (Vol. 54). New York: NY: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.


Hobbs, R. (2011). Teaching Media Literacy: Yo! Are You Hip With This? Retrieved from http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/teaching-media-literacy-yo-are-you-hi


Stinson, D., Bidwell, C., & Powell, G. (2012). Critical pedagogy and teaching mathematics for social justice. International Journal of Critical Pedagogy, 4(1), 76-94. Retrieved from http://libjournal.uncg.edu/index.php/ijcp/article/viewFile/302/263

5 Links

*http://eyeager1256.blogspot.com/


*http://www.youthconnectionscoalition.org/pdfs/MS7LessonPlans.pdf


*http://atr.k12.hi.us/tutorials/tutorials/digstory/ptofview.htm


*http://www.youthrelationships.org/documents/media/OSSLC%20-%20Cell%20Phone%20Savvy.pdf


*http://www.blogger.com/features