As a guide and director in the classroom, I feel I can offer students the opportunity to explore and learn to the best of their abilities which correlates with John Dewey's philosophy of progressivism. Learning about the world we live in, which is always changing, through a curriculum that engages students as active participants in their educational experience will foster students interest and enhance the level of understanding students achieve and retain. I believe all students can learn, yet students are different, learning according to their abilities, understanding and at different times.
Learning is a construction process. Basic fundamentals are the foundation, which must be developed prior to build higher levels of understanding. Once students have a solid foundation to work from, they can build in many directions. Children first learn by seeing and hearing, followed by doing what they see and hear. Therefore it is important to model what is expected of students and to allow students to be active participants in the learning process. According to statistics from Western Michigan University (WMU);
100% of what we learn is 1% through taste, 2% through touch,
3% through smell, 11% through hearing and 83% through sight.
WMU also records the average ability to retain information as:
10% of what is read,
20% of what is heard,
30% of what is seen,
50% of what is seen and heard,
70% of what is said while reading,
90% is retained of what is said while doing.
(http://www.mich.edu/modmath/learning.html).
We cannot always reach the 90% level, yet it is worth striving for 90% retention in students whenever possible. Lessons should encourage active participation from students and provide relevance. Creating a classroom environment where students are allowed to construct portions of their learning will enhance social skills as well as mental and physical skills. Providing a classroom climate in which students feel safe and encouraged to learn visually, audibly and kinesthetically expressing their ideas within reason can be beneficial for all students' achievement. Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence indicates nine different learning styles. Individuals learn according to a mixture of these styles with one or two dominant styles. Being able to provide lessons, which incorporate different learning styles will enhance learning and comprehension.
It is important to exhibit a positive encouraging attitude toward learning in and out of the classroom. Learning is a life long process and reading is the key to unlocking unlimited avenues of learning.