Anna Hutchens

Theory of Learning
November 22, 2016
Theory of Teaching and Learning
The purpose of education is to make sure that students can leave their school
as better citizens and can go on to continue learning, creating, and discovering. To
reach that goal, educators must break tradition when it comes to the way that
information is presented to students. It is crucial in the education system to be
continually finding better ways of reaching each student to ensure they receive the
best education possible. If we strive to better the education of our students, they
will be able to better the world. Our teaching methods should be constantly
evolving to best serve the students we have. This involves adapting our teaching
practices to fit the various backgrounds, learning styles, and creative abilities of
students; as well as making sure they are developing a love of learning.
It is important to understand that each student may have a very different
background and way of thinking, so they cannot all be taught the same way. We, as
educators, need to shy away from the traditional mold of educating all students in
the same manner, and evolve to ensure that we can reach each and every child
no matter their background or learning styles. We need to learn how to manage the
classroom in a way so that students understand that they do not all learn alike. It is
crucial to let students know that it is alright if they need to ask that the content be
shown in a different way and that it is perfectly okay for others in the class to do
so as well. Curriculum must be taught in a way that is very adaptable to the needs
of each student. Each subject should be taught using various methods such as
hands on, visual, or auditory so that there is a higher change that the content will
be fully understood by all students.

Anna Hutchens
Theory of Learning
November 22, 2016
In addition to this, students should be able to move to get up, to play, to
exercise. This will help students to enjoy their learning, to stay healthy, and to
release some of their energy. Students should not have to sit all day and simply
listen. They should also have the opportunity to be creative, and to think about and
discover concepts for themselves, in their own way. This will help students to make
concepts more meaningful and applicable to their lives. Children are already natural
scientists in the world. They have a vast capability for thinking in ways that allow
them to explore and investigate the world around them. Students are working to
understand different phenomena that they experience all the time, both outside of
school and within it. (Michaels, Shouse, & Schweingruber, 2007). This natural
curiosity should be harnessed and used when educating these students in all
subjects. In addition, these observations and inferences that children make are
often very factual, logical, and based upon their experiences. This can lead to some
misconceptions about the world that students may hold for a very long time if they
are not addressed (Worth). Allowing students to think and act like a scientist in their
learning, through inquiry and exploration, can help to address these misconceptions
that they may hold and will allow them to more likely to fully grasp that information
and make it their own.
Due to my educational emphasis in Integrated Sciences, I consider it crucial
that we teach science to students, and in an effective and meaningful manner. In
Ready, Set, Science!: Putting Research to Work in K-8 Science Classrooms, the
authors highlight four main reasons why this is so important. First, science can be
used to improve quality of life throughout the world. Second, science works in the
classroom to provide a strong foundation for the development of language, logic,
and problem solving skills. Also, students need to participate as citizens later in life

Anna Hutchens
Theory of Learning
November 22, 2016
in democratic decisions that involve scientific information on a variety of levels:
personally, in their community, and in regards to national policies. Finally, many
students in our classroom may decide to pursue a scientific related career later in
their lives. (Michaels, Shouse, & Schweingruber, 2007)
I have found in my education that the 5E model of teaching is a fantastic
model to use, both in science and other subjects, because it incorporates many of
the previously mentioned ideas into our teaching. The 5Es involve the steps:
engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate. These steps take the student
throughout the lesson in a way that allows them to discover content for themselves
(Bybee, et al., 2006). It helps to make the content more engaging and interesting,
brings a more complete understanding, and allows the students to take ownership
of their own learning. This model also makes it easier for the students to engage in
inquiry during lessons, which involves having students pose questions, plan their
own investigations or experiments, and review evidence (Martin-Hansen, 2002). By
doing this, students are hopefully gaining better understandings and remembering
what they have learned more efficiently. This method of lesson planning also allows
for the presentation of information in many different forms, which benefits the
various learning styles of the students we will find in our classrooms. It is also
important to have students thinking and learning this way in the classroom because
of the natural scientists that children are.
Educators should always be striving to enhance the personal and academic
potential of their students. Because of this, it is important to always put the needs,
wants, and interests of the student at the forefront of your thinking whenever
designing a lesson. Finding more efficient, individualized, and fun ways of teaching

Anna Hutchens
Theory of Learning
November 22, 2016
and assessing students allows educator to give each student the best education
possible adapted specifically for them. After all, education is all about the student.

Anna Hutchens
Theory of Learning
November 22, 2016

References
Bybee, R. W., Taylor, J. A., Gardner, A., Van Scotter, P., Powell, J. C., Westbrook, A., &
Landes, N. (2006). The BSCS 5E Instructional Model: Origins and
Effectiveness. Colorado Springs: BSCS.
Martin-Hansen, L. (2002). Defining Inquiry. The Science Teacher, 34-37.
Michaels, S., Shouse, A. W., & Schweingruber, H. A. (2007). A New Vision of Science
in Education. In N. R. Council, Ready, Set, Science!: Putting Research to Work
in K-8 Science Classrooms (pp. 1-17). National Academy of Sciences.
Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11882.html
Worth, K. (n.d.). The Power of Children's Thinking. Retrieved from
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2000/nsf99148/ch_4.htm