Our teacher assigned us to write a reflection paper on our beliefs about learning, the educative process, and educating adults in my current class. This gave me significant pause because not only did I have a lot of ground to cover, but I did not really focus on who influenced me, rather what influenced me.
How the Air Force Shaped My Approach
As I wrote in my conclusion, my time in the Air Force forged my ideas about learning, the educational process, and teaching adults. The Air Force reinforced two priorities: accomplish the mission and take care of your people. It is the people who get the mission done. Therefore, they are the top priority.
Taking care of people included giving them thorough training. As a supervisor, you did not want your troops to depend upon you. You wanted them to perform unsupervised as soon as possible. As a supervisor, you wanted them to excel, so you showed them strategies to become lifelong learners so they could excel. My mission has changed, but my ideas for accomplishing it have not changed. I am interested in providing resources and supporting lifelong learning, which supports the organizational mission.
People Who Influenced My Teaching Beliefs
As I thought about it more, I could identify several individuals who have shaped my beliefs.
Graham Attwell got me interested in personal learning environments and personal learning networks. Personal learning environments help feed information to keep you current; mine are technology-based platforms.
Jay Cross has prompted me to explore ideas about informal learning in the workplace. Since individuals spend over 70% of their learning in an informal mode, how can we help them learn better in the workplace?
K. Patricia Cross highlighted several ideas about adult learners. She pointed out that adult learners are hesitant to seek professionals to help solve problems; however, professionals can get information to learners through the use of learning guides and resources.
John Dewey helped me better understand that learning is lifelong and best occurs in a natural environment rather than isolating learning into subject silos. Learning is also social. We learn from others through dialogue.
Malcolm Knowles has provided me with the most information about adult learners. I believe all Extension educators should read his works. He has caused me to rethink a lot of my instructional methods. While I have made progress, I have to admit I still have a lot more work to do.
Victoria Marsick and Karen Watkins also discuss informal learning in the workplace. They provide strategies for leveraging informal learning.
Allen Tough is my key to informal learning. He has thoroughly explained that adults are constantly learning, and why they take on learning projects. Others have extended his research, but he is the cornerstone in this area.
George Siemens had me look at how people tap into knowledge, and more importantly, how they connect to unknown sources of knowledge. How can individuals and organizations strengthen their learning connections?
Daniel Tobin, like Cross, Marsick, and Watkins, focuses on self-directed or informal learning in the workplace. His work offers practical ideas for creating a workplace that supports learning.
The Learning Ideas That Connect These Influences
So what am I interested in? Informal learning, learning in the workplace, social constructivism, connectivism, and adult learning. Naturally, I am interested in how technology affects these areas.
Who has shaped your beliefs about teaching and learning?
