Introduction
Throughout the Master’s program I was challenged to investigate and reflect on the following questions:
“What is learning?”;
“How do you know learning has occurred?”;
“How can learning be enhanced?”
“How do you know learning has occurred?”;
“How can learning be enhanced?”
At first glance these questions seem very simplistic, but when examined closely the concept of learning is a complex and diverse topic. Despite its complexity, it is critical that educators inquire and reflect on these questions as their beliefs about learning influence their pedagogical practices.
Pedagogy is often broadly defined in the literature as the art and science of teaching. While this is the definition I have been most accustomed to as an educator, I find it to be quite limiting as it focuses solely on the teacher and utilizes terms such as art and science which lack clarity and are subject to interpretation. To address these limitations, Watkins and Mortimore (1999) define pedagogy as “any conscious activity by one person designed to enhance learning in another” (p. 3). Thus, effective pedagogy requires a deep understanding of how learning occurs as well as the ability to create learning environments and activities that promote learning.
Pedagogy is often broadly defined in the literature as the art and science of teaching. While this is the definition I have been most accustomed to as an educator, I find it to be quite limiting as it focuses solely on the teacher and utilizes terms such as art and science which lack clarity and are subject to interpretation. To address these limitations, Watkins and Mortimore (1999) define pedagogy as “any conscious activity by one person designed to enhance learning in another” (p. 3). Thus, effective pedagogy requires a deep understanding of how learning occurs as well as the ability to create learning environments and activities that promote learning.
Click on the buttons or images below to visit the sub-themes of pedagogy - learning theory and student centred learning.
Image retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/photos/learning/
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Image retrieved from http://www.ewa.org/student-centered-learning
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