A Comprehensive Personal Statement of

Educational Philosophy

Michael Bourke G00315030

Design and Technology Education

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Letterfrack

Module Leader: Pauline Logue Collins

Program name: Design and Technology Education

Module Title: Applied Theory of Education

Date Submitted: 17th, October

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There are a number of people I would like to thank for their aid and guidance in the manufacture
of this academic essay. Firstly I would like to thank the staff of both the G.M.I.T and N.U.I.G
libraries how were very helpful with any queries I had with regard to literature on the subject
matter covered.

I would also like to thank my co-operating lecture Pauline Logue Collins for her assistance and
even more importantly for her understanding when technical issues out of my own control
proved to be an issue.

1
ABSTRACT

My own personal philosophy of education has changed drastically since becoming a student
teacher. In the past it was shaped primarily on my own life experiences however in recent times
it has been developed further by carrying out classroom observations and by conducting
research. The aim of this essay is identify my own personal philosophy of education and aspects
of education which I feel are of huge importance in the classroom. The following statement also
identifies why and how certain teaching strategies are implemented to insure sufficient learning
and development takes place during my lessons. The research methodology incorporated into this
statement is secondary research combined with my own personal views. This essay examines the
topics of differentiation, motivation, ICT is second level education and providing the correct
learning environment. Key findings of this essay are that all the listed points are essential in
modern schooling. Differentiation due to the number of learning abilities, specific needs of
certain, gender and nationality of students, Motivation as it is essential as this is the tool that will
assist students as they strive toward success, ICT due to its progression and growth in importance
over the last decade in the last decade and lastly providing the correct learning environment.

2
 LIST OF IMAGES

Image 1:

http://sccs-dcg.weebly.com/output-2.html

Image 2:

http://www.mid-atlantictraining.com/Shopware/Newshopwarew/Wood.html

3:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/gary.sturt/Design%20and%20layout%20of%20educational
%20environments.htm

Figure 4:

http://beta.tutor2u.net/business/reference/motivation-maslow-hierarchy-of-needs

Figure 5:

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/pack-your-tablets-irish-schools-ditch-the-textbooks-
to-go-digital-1.2017467

Figure 6:

http://www.elica.net/museum/museum.html

Figure 7:

http://highlandsmuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/wts010-wood-toy-shop-tug-boat-
lg.jpg

3
 ABBREVIATIONS

ICT: Information and Communications Technology

MTW: Materials Technology (Wood)

TG: Technical Graphics

DCG: Design and Communications Graphics

SEN: Special Educational Needs

SNA: Special Needs Assistant

FN: Foreign Nationals

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Plagiarism Disclaimer............................................................................................... i

Acknowledgements.................................................................................................ii

ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................. iii

List of Images......................................................................................................... iv

ABBREVIATIONS...................................................................................................... v

1.0 Introduction..................................................................................................... 7

2.0 Providing students with a positive coherent learning environment.................8

3.0 The Role the teacher plays in motivating students........................................10

4.0 The progressive importance of ICT and its effect on education.....................12

5.0 Differentiation in the classroom:..................................................................14

6.0 Conclusion..................................................................................................... 16

7.0 Bibliography................................................................................................ 17

4
 1.0 INTRODUCTION

Philosophy of education can be defined as the study of the purposes, processes, nature and
ideals of education. (McGraw, 2008) My own personal philosophy of education has changed
drastically since becoming a student teacher. In the past it was shaped primarily on my own life
experiences however in recent times it has been developed further by carrying out classroom
observations and by conducting research, this has also had a profound effect on my pedagogy.
Drastic changes are taking place in education and the importance of matters such differentiation,
motivation and the learning environment are being targeted now more than ever before and in
this statement I aim to address these issues. We are a new age of teacher and it is up to us to
design our lessons with these themes in mind.

The last decade in particular has witness an enormous progression in educational technology.
Schools were provided with funding to the amount of 92 million euro which was distributed to
primary and post-primary schools between November 2009 and December 2010 to incorporate
ICT in the classrooms which has seen the installation of new PCs, data projectors and other
equipment such as interactive white boards. I feel that if it is used efficiently, safely it could be
an extremely useful tool for an educator to have at his/her disposal.

This statement will outline why, and how I will incorporate all the listed points into my teaching
for the best possible development of the student academically and as a well-rounded individual. I
have strived to become a teacher because of my own unenjoyable experiences in school, when in
school I lacked motivation and drive because of the boring monotones way in which lessons
where conducted. I plan to create a center of learning where students creativity is encouraged
through the use of interactive lessons. After all Ken Robinson describes creativity as putting
your imagination to work, and it's produced the most extraordinary results in human culture.
(Robinsion, n.d.)

5
 2.0 PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH A POSITIVE COHERENT LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT

A positive learning environment is essential to ensure that students feel comfortable and
are able to achieve their full potential. Personally I believe that foundation for success
starts with the educator implementing effective classroom management. For instance if
the classroom has one or more students that misbehave this will not just effect the
students involved it will also enable the rest of the students reaching their full potential.
This is outlined in the work of Robert J. Marzano, Jana S. Marzano and Debra J.
Pickering. The literature states that:
If a student is disorderly and disrespectful, and no apparent rules and procedures
guide behavior, chaos becomes the norm. In these situations, both teachers and
students suffer. Teachers struggle to teach, and students most likely learn much less
than they should. In contrast, well-managed classrooms provide an environment in
which teaching and learning can flourish. (Robert J. Marzano, Jana S. Marzano and
Debra J. Pickering, 2003)
As teachers there are a number strategies we can employ to insure that students behave in
an appropriate manner. To prevent misbehavior in the classroom literature by Phil Race
and Ruth Pickford identifies five characteristics which an educator should try to
implement. These include control, clarity, credibility, consistency and care (Phil Race,
Ruth Pickford, 2007). From my own personal observations I cannot help but strongly
agree with this statement. However to insure this is possible sufficient importance must
be placed on rules in their classroom and their constant reinforcement, this relates to
consistency. Through repetition good habits become permeant (Classficent, 2014)
I also believe strongly that a positive learning environment can be promoted by altering
its physical aspects of the classroom. I myself feel that the classroom should be a vibrant
welcoming space which the students enjoy entering each and every day. Susan Bentham
refers to this when stating the aim of the teacher is to organize his/her environment such
that effective learning takes place. The general appearance of the classroom indicates to
pupils the care that goes into their learning. (Bentham, 2003) Simple steps such as
displaying posters, models and images can give a classroom a more aesthetically
pleasing appearance while displaying essential information. Likewise clutter should be
avoided with equipment being stored away adequately to prevent distraction and likewise
for health and safety reasons.
 IMAGE 1

IMAGE 2

Two examples of suitable posters for my own subject areas (DCG & MTW)

Alternative aspects of the learning environment that I feel severs of great importance is
the layout of the classroom. It is vital that all students are given an equal opportunity to
succeed in the classroom and their ability to do so could be hampered if a poor classroom
layout is employed. Personally I find myself more inclined to have the tables arranged
groups as it would reduce disruption when collaborative actives are implemented. The
UNC School of Education agrees with this arrangement stating that The cluster
arrangement is best suited for cooperative or collaborative work, where a small group of
students works independently of the rest of the class. (Education U. S., 2010) However
some theorists such as Gavienas argue that, the practice of seating children in social
groups, but requiring them to work individually may be counterproductive. If we persist
in seating children together in social groups, but we try to prevent them from talking to
each other, we might be creating new tensions. (Gavienas, 1999) In conclusion I feel
that it is a matter of trial and error, meaning that the only way to discover what works
 most efficiently is by testing different arrangements on different groups of students as no
two groups are the same

IMAGE 3

Cluster seating arrangement

3.0 THE ROLE THE TEACHER PLAYS IN MOTIVATING STUDENTS

Motivation can simply be defined as something that drives people to do what they do.
(Cohen, 1994) As educationalists it is up to us to motivate and inspire our students to apply
sufficient effort, time and dedication to succeed in school and in life in general, as difficult as
that might be. However motivation is not something we can give (Bentham, 2003) it is only
something we can influence (Bentham, 2003)

In my own opinion students can be seen as unmotivated at times due to a lack of interest in a
subject due to the way in which its delivered. The age of students sitting at their desks and
carrying out written exercises is long gone from my point of view. To avoid boring students I
believe that it is hugely important to carry out more student centered learning activities with
the use of a more practical hands on approach to learning.

I have also learned from my own personal observation that students seem more motivated
when they can relate to a teacher of if the teacher expresses interest in a students past times
or hobbies. For example students who plays sport seemed to be more motivated in a lesson
when the educator played sport himself.

Abraham Maslow is an example of a theorist who studied the topic of motivation which he
refers to in his hierarchy of needs. He believed that a person could only reach self-
actualization before proceeding to the top of his pyramid like scheme, each step at a time in
the following order, beginning at the base:

IMAGE 4

Although I agree with Maslow that all these traits are essential to reach self-actualization I
cant help but argue that it does not have to occur in this specific order. For example a person
may have self-respect without ever having a sense of belonging or job security.
 4.0 THE PROGRESSIVE IMPORTANCE OF ICT AND ITS EFFECT ON
EDUCATION.

In the past decade the improvement of technology can only be described as colossal and as
education is a constantly evolving area it must adapt and acknowledge its importance, to
insure future development. This can be backed up by a published statement by the NCCA, it
stated that: The Irish government has also recognised the enormous significance of
knowledge society developments on the educational sector, the Irish economy, and society in
general. (NCCA, 2004) It then continues to include that in its three year strategy which
encourages further integrate of ICT into learning and teaching (NCCA, 2004) while placing
emphasis on the enhancement of teacher professional development with regard to ICT
(NCCA, 2004). Therefore as a trainee teachers it is up to us to explore the world of ICT for
the benefit of our students for one apparent reason which is evident in Moira Monteiths
literature. She outlines that:

Trainee teachers have to undertake courses in the use of ICT as a way of teaching
their own subject if they wish to teach in secondary schools, they train to teach across
all subjects. Teachers already in post also take part in training but do not have to be
assessed on this, as trainee teachers do. (Monteith, 2004)

As student teachers are being assessed I feel that they will have a slight advantage over post
teachers because their ICT knowledge will have to be of a certain standard to insure their
progression as a teacher, where on the other hand a post or permanent teacher may overlook
the importance of ICT as there are not being assessed. They may also be under the illusion
that their teaching style cannot be bettered as it has work in the past but as I stated before
education is constantly evolving and it takes a very narrow mind individual not acknowledge
this.

So now you may be asking yourself how ICT can assist students in the classroom? Firstly
there are a number of apps developed for apple, android and even windows software, which
are generally used on tablets but can also be used on laptops. The influence of tablets has
become so profound that some schools have even swapped text books for tablet devices and
one example of this is Coliste Bhaile Chlir in Clare Galway. In a recent article published by
the The Irish Times the principle of this school speaks about the impact that tablets have
had on the classroom. He states that The technology itself doesnt necessarily improve
students grades (Times, 2014) however he then goes on to express that: students are more
active in their learning, rather than sitting there passively, and the technology standardises a
level of organisation across the classroom. That makes it easier for everyone to better
achieve. (Times, 2014)

IMAGE 5

A class in Coliste Bhaile Chlir using their iPads during a lesson.

There are also other applications for ICT in my own subject areas. One example of this which
I believe will be very beneficial to TG, DCG and even mathematics students for that matter is
Elica. When defining the program the creators describe it as a modern educational tool for
the first decade of this millennium, Elica was used for authoring hundreds of animated virtual
models, mathematical visualizations and multimedia content (Elica, 2013) they also mention
that: Elica reached far beyond the traditional flat turtle graphics by providing a 3D
animation of user-programmable objects. (Elica, 2013) Personally I would describe it as an
interactive way in which to get students involved in learning through the use of play
summarily to the work of Maria Montessori who believed that play is the work of a child.
(Myers, 2015)
 IMAGE 6

Graphic of games available on the Elica program

5.0 DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CLASSROOM :

I feel very strongly on the topic of inclusion in the classroom. It is a very delicate subject that
some educators still to this day choose to ignore but its importance is becoming more and
obvious as time progresses. Differentiation encompasses SEN, multiculturalism, and even
mixed gender students. It is vital that we tailor our lessons to suit the needs of all these pupils.

Due to the current economic downturn sever budget cuts have been made in the public sector.
This has caused a reduction in the number of SNAs available in Irish schools. Now more
than ever it is essential that teachers adapt to insure that students with special needs achieve
their full capacity. It is vital that lessons, activities and assessment are designed in a way
which caters for these needs. The importance of inclusion is outlined by a report published by
the department of education states:

In an integrated school or classroom, the burden of adaptation to what may be a

largely unmodified situation is often placed on the student who learns differently.
Inclusion, on the other hand, implies that the diverse needs and learning differences of
all students are accommodated and that appropriate structures and arrangements are
adopted to enable each student to achieve the maximum benefit from his/her
attendance at school. (Education D. o., 2007)
Statistics show that there has been a large increase in the number of foreign nationals living
in Ireland over the last number of years. In 2002 only 5.8% of the Irish population were
made up of foreign nationals where in compassion in 2011 statics show that the number of
forging nationals has more than double to 12%. (Staidrimh, 2012) This is obviously going
to have a drastic effect on the number on FN attending Irish schools. There are a number of
small modifications that I feel each educator should make to ensure that students of all
nationalities feel welcome. Incorporating simple teaching strategies such as a bi-lingual word
wall helps to make students feel more included in a setting which may be overwhelming at
times due to the cultural barrier.

Practical subjects are primarily dominated by male students however in recent years the
number of female students deciding to take part in practical subjects such as TG, MTW, DCG
and Construction studies has been on the increase. One aspect of these subjects which I
believe should be adjusted to suit students of both genders is projects being carried out by
students. For example while on observations of MTW lessons I continuously seen projects
carried out by students which would be considered to be aimed at male students as you can
see in the image below. To make the subject more suitable for both male and female students
I believe they should complete projects that are considered unisex in nature.

IMAGE 7

Example of a male orientate project

 6.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion I feel that it is essential to implement all the following points to succeed as an
educator in a classroom in the modern era. I can only define my philosophy toward education
to be that of a teacher who understands the importance of providing students with exciting
new methods of learning, this is to insure that pupils constantly stay motivated and engaged
in lessons.

I believe my understanding of ICT in the classroom is greater than that of an average teacher
and I will look to use this to my advantage when in the classroom. On the other hand Im not
only dependent on advancements in technology and I understand the importance of
incorporating verity into my lessons. This opinion is shared by Paul McEwan who stats in his
writings that:

Its not about using technology for the sake of technology, or even using a hands-on
activity for the sake of a hands-on activity. Its about selecting, planning, and
implementing meaningful learning experiences that will facilitate our students
learning, and that takes a lot of thought, preparation, and organization. (McEwan,
n.d.)
I also have developed methods of insuring that all student are included in lessons. I feel it is
essential that lessons and resources are adapted to suit the needs of all students while making
all students feel welcome and comfortable in the classroom. In my statement I have outlined
the drastic changes that are occurring in class profiles in Ireland throughout the country. If
this is not carried out by educators I believe that we are stripping students of their
fundamental right of an equal education which is constituently immoral.
 7.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bentham, S. (2003). Psychology and Education (1st ed.). New York : Routledge .
Classficent. (2014, September 3). Great Classroom Management on Day 1 or any
day. United States.
Cohen, D. (1994). Essential Psychology (2nd ed.). London: Bloomsbury Publishing
PLC.
Education, D. o. (2007). Inclusion of Students with Special Education Needs -
Post Primary Guidlines. Dublin: Government Publications.
Education, U. S. (2010). Learn NC. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/classroom-arrangement/6878
Elica. (2013). Elica. Retrieved October 14th, 2015, from
http://www.elica.net/about.html
Gavienas. (1999). The Dilemma: Seating Arrangements for Group Teaching.
Retrieved October 15, 2015, from http:/www.scre.ac.uk/nl61gavienas.html
McEwan, P. (n.d.). The Importance of Variety and Planning in a Secondary
Classroom. Retrieved from The Compelling Educator :
http://thecompellededucator.blogspot.ie/2014/03/the-importance-of-
variety-and-planning.html
McGraw, J. (2008). Philosophy of education. 1.
Monteith, M. (2004). ICT for Curricumum Enhancement (1st ed.). Bristol: Intellect
Books.
Myers, D. (2015). Child Development Institute. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from
http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-development/play-work-of-children/
NCCA. (2004). CURRICULUM ASSESSMENT AND ICT IN THE IRISH CONTEXT: A
DISCUSSION PAPER. 12-13.
Phil Race, Ruth Pickford. (2007). Making Teaching Work "Teaching Smarter" (1st
ed.). London, Los Angeles, New Delhi, Singapore: Sage Publishers.
Robert J. Marzano, Jana S. Marzano and Debra J. Pickering. (2003). The Critical
Role of Classroom Management.
Robinsion, K. (n.d.). Retrieved from Brainy Quote:
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/creativity.html
skills, D. o. (n.d.). Department of Education and Skills. Retrieved from
https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Information-
Communications-Technology-ICT-in-Schools/FAQs.html
Staidrimh, A. P.-O. (2012). Migration and Diversity. Dublin: Stationery Office,.
Retrieved October 15th, 2015, from
http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011profile6/P
rofile,6,Migration,and,Diversity,entire,doc.pdf
Times, I. (2014, December 2nd). Pack your tablets: Irish schools ditch the
textbooks to go digital. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/pack-your-tablets-irish-schools-
ditch-the-textbooks-to-go-digital-1.2017467