It is rather difficult to write and express yourself, especially when for first some years of your life you have not done so. It is rather overwhelming as response to be able to write your deep thoughts and put them on public platform, though not for public scrutiny. It gets more complex if you belong to a community who is learning and attempting to address the learning curve.
I have been fortunate to study in three different states, in 8 different schools and in two different languages in rural and urban set up. Experiences from these schooling have helped me create my own education philosophy.
Education is about what matters to you, what interests you, and your journey in this directions to explore, inquire, create your understanding from the realms of known to unknown and one that is ethical, moral and how your learning, your reflections, your actions, will impact others around you to influence others and in turn impact society.
I teach Theory of Knowledge ( TOK) to IB diploma students. ToK is core component of Diploma program and this is aimed at discovering and sharing student’s views on “issues” which are termed as Knowledge claims and there is actually no end to the valid questions that may arise. This is more like a journey and what matters is approach, process, reflections and learning as part of inquiry of the knowledge claims and creating your own understanding which eventually is your belief. As teachers of TOK the freedom in approach, selection of teaching methodology, materials, environment in which the syllabus is carried out is crucial. The focus of the arguments, discussion, reflections is never around “right” and “wrong” . It always is about quality of justifications, balanced approach to the knowledge claim in the questions that are raised.
My subject also makes it binding to have discussions, games, online games, TED videos, and sometimes guest speakers are part of my classroom. Currently I am working on creating awareness/ understanding and working knowledge of PBL for self and with students and colleagues. I hope to accomplish learning and mastering PBL. I teach ToK and My Co-learners would say that my Classroom is a safe environment wherein my co learners love to talk, share, and build on their views, have freedom of expression and know boundaries that may hurt sentiments of others,. I would certainly like to have this democratic fabric of my class, identity stay with me always.
I teach teenagers in the age group 16-18 years old, who come from similar socio-economic backgrounds but diverse their education background and cultural beliefs. Reading as habit is a tough ask, and introduction to philosophy always raises eyebrows at induction of the program. It is only after couple of “issues” that we discuss we form a bond. From what I have experienced is that students over a period of time pick up the art of posing questions and share responses that show their deep understanding and their outlook towards issues in the society. May be at times they present their thoughts in a manner that is different and at times forms/ formats / language that they use to represent their views may require some inputs for better representation. I like to identify learner’s need first and then create a plan that helps them deal with the exam challenge! I like the way students eventually pick up reading Philosophy, History, Ethics, Reason, and learn to use language! “Thinking” becomes their second skin. Their ability to identify “knowledge issues” and represent their ideas mazes me! I would want this “challenging” attitude of students to create a positive habit for them and one that helps them build on thier skills of present to needs of future. “Reflective classroom” and “thinking students” is default outcome of TOK!!! I like the democratic structure in my classroom and this helps us reflect better as there is always doubt of teacher issues, reflections, concerns becoming the class norms.