My Outlook on Learning

           As learners and educators, we are all too aware of the stoic and outdated approach to learning that remains a staple throughout all levels of education and professional development. Though there has been a multitude of innovative learning tactics, ideas, and philosophies incorporated into today’s version of education, those things hardly seem like enough to fully advance education into the stratosphere of what gaining knowledge means today. Oftentimes in education, finding and understanding the learning philosophy or tactics that best fits each learner is a very complex assignment. “Every education system in the world is being reformed at the moment and it’s not enough” (Robinson, 2010, 4:33). With the educational advancements that we have made, it’s not only time but necessary to stop remodeling a fundamentally flawed education system and create a new system that structurally supports all different kind of learners and challenges what they believe is truly educationally attainable. “At the heart of the challenge is to reconstitute our sense of ability and intelligence” (Robinson, 2010, 11:04).

This directly correlates to my journey as a learner. I view myself as a constructivist and, more recently, a heutagogy or self-determined learner. This kind of learning preference can be somewhat problematic, due to traditional teaching philosophies and the reliance on learner independence. However, this form of learning encourages you to always think beyond what’s on the page and challenge your learning capabilities. “The central tenet of heutagogy is that people inherently know how to learn. The role of formal education is to enable them to confidently develop these skills, encouraging them to critically evaluate and interpret their own personal reality according to their own personal skills and competencies” (Wheeler, 2012, para. 3).  Heutagogy, a learning theory conceptualized within the modern-day technological era, really pushes for learners to take full advantage of all technological learning resources available and seek to advance what you believe your capability for knowledge is. Learning theories like heutagogy, which take shape from our societal technological advances connect with a theory like constructivism, by putting the learner first and allowing them a sense of autonomy in their pursuit of education. “Constructivism builds on the ideas of Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Jerome Bruner, John Dewey, and many other primary theorists, claims that knowledge is constructed in the human being when information comes into contact with existing knowledge that had been developed” (Schunk, 2016, para. 2).

Teaching & Learning Connection

                As we’ve looked at the many different ideals, theories, and types of learners there are, the relationship between teaching and learning is what the foundation of knowledge is built on. The one thing we see as both learners and educators, is that the way we view the acquisition of knowledge has greatly evolved. This evolution has created amazing opportunities for both learners and educators alike, but it has also created divisions within the differentiating theories and philosophies. “Understanding what we believe about learning has never been more important. We are living in the age where we no longer are asking if we should use technology to enhance learning but are asking how well are we using technology to enhance learning” (Harapnuik, 2021, para. 8).  The technological era is an amazing time to be in, but educators have to understand that we are no longer the source, but rather a resource to assist learners in their advancement of knowledge. “We need to be open to new theories as these new and old learning theories evolve, we must move from theory to practice. We need to be flexible enough to adapt and grow in our thinking about learning to develop effective learning environments that meet our learner’s needs” (Harapnuik, 2021, para. 8).

     As a learner your philosophy is centered around how you best learn, as an educator, your philosophy is centered around what you think is the most impactful way for learners to learn. For learners, this makes it imperative to find out what is the best learning theory for you in a constantly evolving learning space. As for educators, to properly build a learning environment that serves each learner, we have to ask the pertinent questions of ourselves regarding what our learners need and why.  “Any form of educational development starts with answering the question “Why”. Answering the “Why” question is addressing what the intrinsic motivation for the learner will be. When working with students you need to answer in advance why this course, material or work that they are asked to do will help them in the future” (Harapnuik, 2016, para. 3).