Chapter 7: Thinking about Teaching and Learning

Reading Chapter 7 in the Joy of Teaching really affirmed some of my beliefs and thoughts I incorporated into my teaching philosophy that I wrote earlier this year. I also came across some ideas that I disagreed with, and feel as though I could use them as arguments or examples in my philosophy of traits I do not want to portray as a teacher, enhancing my views and ideas.

1.       One of the ideas that I greatly disagreed with in the chapter was the laissez-faire classroom style approach introduced by A. S. Neill. I personally feel as though this approach, which allows the students to decide for themselves when to work and when to play, would never and could never be feasible (Hall, Quinn, Gollnick, 264).  My kindergarten took this approach, and honestly, when you are five years old and are given the choice between doing a worksheet or playing with blocks, the vast majority is going to choose playing. I feel as though a classroom needs structure and that the teacher needs to have a sense of authority and control over the students. By putting students in charge of their own education, we are leaving important decisions up to very young children, which may affect them for the rest of their lives.
2.           However, I also do not believe in having an authoritarian style classroom either. I was really intrigued and interested in the Socratic method of teaching. In this type of teaching, teachers utilize questions that allow for a logical discussion to take place, culminating in the students coming to the necessary or logical conclusion (Hall, Quinn, Gollnick, 264). I really think that this concept of the teacher having authority, but the students sharing in some of that authority and control over their and education is a perfect mix, that can help students get the most out of their educational experience.
3.        “A well-informed teacher understand and respects the diversity of cultural and ethnic thought in any community and uses this knowledge to help all students learn.” (Hall, Quinn, Gollnick, 273). This quote really exemplified and encompasses all the aspects of teaching I want to portray that does not directly relate to the subject material. In my new teaching philosophy, I really want to stress the idea that I want to create an equal, safe, comfortable environment in which all students can feel comfortable and open. Reading this quote encouraged me to emphasize these values in my philosophy.