| "Example isn't another way to teach, it is the only way to teach." --Albert Einstein |
The following are twelve teaching and learning tenets that I wrote during one of my education courses during my fall internship, and which were reinforced and strengthened during my spring student-teaching placement:
Learning Tenet: Learning is constant.
Rationale: Learning is happening all of the time, realized it or not.
Teaching Tenet: Actively engage students.
Rationale: Learning is enhanced when we are fully engaged.
Learning Tenet: We learn from the company we keep.
Rationale: We learn from those around us.
Teaching Tenet: Diversity prompts learning.
Rationale: Take advantage of the diversity that exists in classrooms so that all students may benefit from new experiences.
Learning Tenet: Learning is a social act.
Rationale: We learn most from our friends and family, outside of a classroom setting.
Teaching Tenet: Provide context.
Rationale: Students better relate to content if it is put into a context that makes sense to them.
Learning Tenet: We learn to read by reading.
Rationale: The only way to learn reading is to do it.
Teaching Tenet: Provide a purpose for reading.
Rationale: Purpose gives meaning to the reading we do.
Learning Tenet: Learning demands confidence.
Rationale: Learners must have faith in themselves to be successful.
Teaching Tenet: Instill confidence.
Rationale: Students must believe in themselves and their ability to learn.
Learning Tenet: Learning is effortless.
Rationale: When interested in what we are doing, learning occurs automatically.
Teaching Tenet: Stimulate interest.
Rationale: Teachers must excite students and spark their interests so that learning will occur effortlessly.
Learning Tenet: Learning is about experience.
Rationale: We each have our own personal histories that make us who we are and determine how and what we want to learn.
Teaching Tenet: Respect for the individuality of students is essential.
Rationale: Each student brings something unique and valuable to the classroom that will benefit others.
Learning Tenet: Assessments prompt learning.
Rationale: Assessments help promote interest and curiosity.
Teaching Tenet: Assessments require observation.
Rationale: Learning can be seen through direct observation.
Learning Tenet: Learning is a personal journey.
Rationale: Learning is a unique experience for everyone, based on interest and past experience.
Teaching Tenet: Teaching demands leadership.
Rationale: Teachers are the managers of the classroom; it is up to them to direct student activities and involvement.
Learning Tenet: Collaboration prompts self-confidence.
Rationale: Group learning supports the interests and experiences of all students.
Teaching Tenet: Teaching demands interaction.
Rationale: Personal relationships foster students’ respect for teachers.
Learning Tenet: Learning is about context.
Rationale: Purpose and direction make learning meaningful.
Teaching Tenet: Teachers are models.
Rationale: We learn by the example set by teachers.
Learning Tenet: Learning demands trust.
Rationale: We must trust our teachers to learn anything from them.
Teaching Tenet: Communication is essential.
Rationale: Open, honest relationships with students will build trust among students.