Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

Digital Vision Board Assignment – ECE245 The Reflective Professional

Assignment Purpose:

As a graduating student, and a future professional Early Childhood Educator (ECE), it is important to consider (and reconsider) your philosophy of teaching and learning. A statement of philosophy acts as a framework for you to use when deciding on a setting to work in, designing your program, and supporting children, families and communities. It defines you as a professional and evolves with you as you gain experience and knowledge in the profession. Your philosophy of teaching and learning communicates your pedagogical commitments, beliefs, and values.

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Relevant Course Learning Outcomes:

• Critique self and personal beliefs using various theoretical frameworks to develop a philosophy of teaching and learning.
• Examine personal pedagogical practices and commitments to demonstrate understanding of the role of the reflective practice in ECE.
• Compose and analyze constructive feedback on personal and professional development to create professional documents.

Relevant Humber Learning Outcomes:

• Mindset – Equity, diversity and inclusion
• Meta skill – Critical thinking
• Skill in action – Professionalism

Assignment Instructions:

You will creatively express your philosophy of teaching and learning in early childhood education through a visual and interactive medium, demonstrating your values, beliefs and attitudes as it pertains to working with various stakeholder groups (i.e. children; families; educators; communities and the environment).

Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

Choose a metaphor.

Consider how you view the process of teaching land learning. Construct a metaphor that represents this understanding. For example, you might link teaching and learning to growing a garden; to baking a cake; to sailing a ship; to embarking on a journey; etc.

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Identify images of the child; family; educator; community and the role of the environment. How do you view each as it relates to your metaphor? For example, if your metaphor is that of growing a garden, children could be considered the seedlings; families, the roots; educators, the natural elements plants need to grow; the community, the garden bed and the environment, the atrium. Create an “I believe” statement that addresses each stakeholder (ex. “I believe children are like seedlings…”).

Identify a curriculum model that is most closely aligned with your philosophy.

Curriculum models were discussed in ECE123 – Curriculum Design and will be briefly reviewed in this class. They include Emergent Curriculum/Inquiry-Based Learning; Montessori; Reggio Emilia; HighScope; Waldorf; Theme-Based; etc. Be sure your commitment to this model is reflected throughout your philosophy.

Make links to theory.

Elaborate on the images you discussed in step 3. Explain them with connections to theory. Use a different source for each image/idea and the chosen curriculum model(s) (i.e. minimum of four (4) sources). Two (2) of the four (4) sources must be course-based.

Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

Consider applications to practice

For each image, identify practices you have engaged in or would engage in given your claims. Ensure all practical examples are directly connected to the image you are discussing and your curriculum model.

Check tips on how to do your CYC Assignment.

Create a digital vision board.

Design a digital vision board that represents your metaphor and includes the links to theory and application to practice you made in steps 3 and 4. Formatting options include (but are not limited to): Digital poster; digital collage; digital scrapbook; 3D model; Padlet; etc.

Reflect (short & sweet).

Record a 3-minute video explaining how your vision board reflects your teaching philosophy. NOTE: You must have a thorough understanding of your philosophy as you are not permitted to read from speaker’s notes in the video.