Only the Beginning...

I believe that the heart of teaching should be patience with a side of understanding. There are many different beliefs on what teaching should be. What teaching really is, what it should convey and uphold. Books upon books exist consisting of theories on the supposed “right way” to go about teaching. There really is no right way. You teach how you teach. Students learn in their own ways. You can’t force them to learn in any certain way, it isn’t morally right. In reality everyone is a student in this world. As Paulo Freire says, “Man is merely in the world, not with the world or with others; man is spectator, not re-creator. In this view, man is not a conscious being; he is rather the possessor of a consciousness: an empty “mind” passively open to the reception of deposits of reality from the world outside.” He is saying that man is merely a spectator in this wide world. Every single person on this planet still has much to learn about life. We may be aware of our surroundings but we still have much to learn about them is the point in which I am trying to get across.
The qualities I have listed in the previous paragraph should only be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the layout of teaching. The traits a teacher may possess will undoubtedly influence, in some way, shape or form, your ability to learn. If a teacher dulls you and is
completely monotone, you are not going to be interested in the topic. As such, your ability to learn will suffer from this. However, if that same teacher were to really make the subject interesting and would truly capture your attention, then you will listen more intently. You will be more compelled to come to class, to take notes, to really try to learn something new. People, whether they except it or not, want to learn. It’s in our genes. From the day we are born we are constantly striving for more information. Every essence of our being is programmed to learn. This is true for our physical being as well. If something is, for say, extremely hot to the touch. You touch it and instantly pull your hand back. You learned something there. See? Learning is all around us.
Why do people strive to learn so much? With so many questions and still so many answers for these questions. “The aim of culture is to set ourselves to ascertain what perfection is and to make it prevail.” (Viswanathan). Is that why we wish to learn so much? Perhaps a hidden desire to become perfect? I do believe that culture today has an unhealthy obsession with perfection. No one should have to be perfect. We shouldn’t have to feel that we need to learn just to become perfect creatures. We should learn to enhance our own self. We should take in all that we can and give even more to ensure personal growth. I feel that learning is a kind of gift. A gift that is to be taken and shared with everyone. I believe this is a true reasoning for learning; or at least it should be.
Students learn the best in helpful open environments. One’s they aren’t afraid to speak up in, where they can ask questions, and receive insightful answers. Some people don’t need
participation to learn. They can learn through example and through just listening. I personally feel that students should not be forced to participate if they are doing just fine otherwise. I know learning can be about stepping out of your comfort zone but forced participation is unfair. If it has to be done, let the students slowly come out of their comfort zone. Soon enough they will feel more comfortable with their peers.
Thoughts
-Go into more detail about how I personally learn. Really talk about how I go about doing this and why I learn in that way.
-Discuss other theories from the essays we have read. Quote all of them. Talk about if I agree or disagree with any of them and why I think that way.
-Really think about any more questions I may have about this topic.
-Think about any frustrations any of these make me feel. Discuss them.