To be honest I struggled with this question.
Sure I had developed my educational philosophy back in undergraduate school and I've refined it over the years as I matured as an educator, but to be honest I hadn't ever considered how technology has and will change the way people learn and as a result should change how we teach. I'll also be frank about the fact that I conpletely overlooked the requirement to create this Blog at the start of my Technology Integration 101 course. Apparently I also had forgotten that I had created previous blogs through Blogger back a few years ago when I took a Professorship course. However, after putting this off far longer than I should, I actually have time to think after a week long Spring Break!
So where does one begin this journal of developing a modern philosophy of education? This is likely different for everyone as we all draw meaning based on our life experiences. I tried to read articles left on our course site which focued on the topic, but I found them to be rather dry like my Algebra 2 teacher from high school (no offense to all you math teachers out there). I read through descriptions of the different types of education philosophies likely dreamed up by the great education philosophers throughout history, but that gave me flashbacks to my graduate courses in educational philsophy. I'm still not sure why I paid so much money for courses that had such little impact of my instruction when we still don't have most students take a course on how to deal with the demands of special education. It all makes no sense, but I'm diverging and that could be a bog in and of itself.
Fast forward to last week when I finally had a chance to take an education philosphy inventory through www.authenticeducation.com. I was really impressed and likely the feedback I got from this 10 minute survey. Really if you're and educator and haven't tried it you need to. So what did I learn? Well, I guess you could say that I'm a "Progressive Essentalist." As an educator, I advocate a conservative philosophic perspective with the core curriculum focusing on essential knowledge and skills. However I do believe that students' interests and personal growth are important. Learners should be active and learn to solve problems by being reflective upon their experiences. The school should help students develop democratic personal and social values. Because society is always changing, new ideas are important to make the future better than the past.
So after my extended journey of reflection on my modern philosophy of education, as a science teacher I guess I would state it as:
"I'm dedicated to using technology to drive student inquiry & modeling based science utilizing dynamic teaching methods as a means of creating and nurturing a lifelong appreciation and understanding of science in all students."
I would love to hear your throughts on my philosophy!
Dr. Lance Brand
