Today, many educational institutions strive to apply innovative learning approaches to improve student performance. Teaching methods and philosophies, such as the Maria Montessori method, change how children are educated. In this paper, I will present my learning philosophy, which will be based on the ability of each student to express their opinions and thoughts and to be fully involved in the learning process. Learning scenarios will help students to interact with each other, and achieve significant results. Competent teaching philosophy, which is student-centered, will make the learning process more effective, fascinating, and less tedious for students.
Before presenting the learning philosophy, it will be essential to highlight the main aspects of learning in the modern world. Today, significant changes are taking place in education in many countries. An approach that considered discipline and rigor essential to students’ success has been overshadowed. At the same time, the importance of grades decreases. In some cases, the grading system is excluded from the educational process, such as in some schools in Nordic countries (Krejsler & Moos, 2021). These factors prove that the learning process becomes more student-centered, where special attention is paid to communication between students, their ability to think creatively and unconventionally, and to enjoy the learning process. These principles formed the basis of my learning philosophy, expressed in a secure, nurturing classroom atmosphere that will bring an eagerness to learn and a cheerful attitude. Maria Montessori’s theory will be considered as a learning theory to support my concept. This approach to creating a learning philosophy will significantly improve communication between students and make it more prosperous and exciting.
First, for techniques to establish a classroom culture, I chose the correct placement of objects and furniture in the educational space, according to the Montessori method. Educational materials should be placed at the level of the children’s eyes and be accessible at all times (Gu, 2020). Various art objects, including paintings by the students, will be placed in the classroom and hung on the walls. Living plants will be placed on shelves and tables to stimulate students’ desire to observe them and be closer to nature. Maria Montessori believed that resources that appeal to the senses (sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing) and natural and real-life materials are essential for creating space learning (Gu, 2020). Particular attention should be paid to the furniture used for the training process. Tables and chairs will be located in the center of the classroom and can be used by up to 5 students simultaneously. Such a competent arrangement of furniture in the classroom will allow students to communicate with each other, split into groups and conduct joint research.
Second, in my philosophy, learning scenarios play a unique role when the students are undertaking group projects. Thanks to the classroom environment design described in the previous paragraph, students will be able to work in groups and move around the class with different goals. According to Ceciliani (2021), “…that children need to move, their energy must be transformed into action, through freely chosen concrete experiences” (p. 158). According to my learning philosophy, students will be allowed to freely express their thoughts and discuss ideas arising from their research. It will improve communication between students and involve me in the process as I will move between groups facilitating discussions. This approach will make the learning process active and exciting and increase students’ trust in the teacher.
In conclusion, it will be essential to emphasize that the modern learning method aims to bring students closer to the teacher and build trust between them. Using the example of the learning theory of Maria Montessori, in this paper, important features of creating a learning space were discussed, which became the basis of my learning philosophy. The opportunity to communicate and articulate their ideas will allow students to improve their skills and make education more cheerful with the willingness of the students to succeed.
References
Ceciliani, A. (2021). Maria Montessori and embodied education: Current proposal in preschool education. Ricerche di Pedagogia e Didattica, 16(2), pp. 149–163. Web.
Gu, C. (2020). The influences from Montessori to the early years children. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 480, pp. 280–283. Web.
Krejsler, J. B., & Moos, L. (2021). What works in Nordic school policies?: Mapping approaches to evidence, social technologies and transnational influences. Springer Nature.