TIE536_Learning Theories: Who Cares?

I’ve never been one to sit around pondering the process of learning. Theories, pedagogies ... initially it makes me think that the people who spend time studying and writing about this stuff are not people who actually enjoy being in front of a room full of kids. They like to spend time doing ‘important research’, but really can’t hack it in the classroom. I’m not much of an academic, and have been able to be somewhat successful teaching from my gut. So the thought of actually spending time studying these things makes me want to jam an ice pick into my ear. But it turns out I actually have employed many of these pedagogies--I just have never articulated them as such. Having realized this, I’m turning over a new leaf.

As I grow as an educator, I’m seeing more of the differences in the students in my classroom, and I’m more in tune to the fact that I need a variety of teaching approaches to reach my students. I realize that the more I understand different teaching methods and can consciously employ their strategies, the more effective I will be in creating meaningful learning experiences for my students.