Discussion Question 1: Looking Back Over Your Career As An E

Discussion Question 1looking Back Over Your Career As An Educator Wha

Looking back over your career as an educator, what are some things you "used to think" that you now think differently about? Discuss how this shift in beliefs has impacted your role as an educator. (A MINIMUM OF 125 WORDS)

Discussion Question 2 Teaching and learning happens every single day. While technology has provided us with boundless opportunities to learn through the touch of a finger, we also learn by simply observing the world around us. We learn by internalizing the cause and effect of the decisions we make and the actions we see, often as a result of choices made daily. Discuss how you have served as both a teacher and a learner in any given day. How can an awareness of how actions and decisions "teach" others help you better serve your adult learners? (A MINIMUM OF 125 WORDS)

Paper For Above instruction

Reflecting on my career as an educator reveals a significant evolution in my understanding of teaching and learning. Initially, I believed that effective teaching primarily involved delivering content efficiently and maintaining classroom discipline. I thought success depended largely on the educator's ability to control the classroom environment. However, over time, my perspective shifted towards understanding the importance of fostering a student-centered approach that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. This transformation was driven by my experiences observing how students engage more deeply when they feel valued and understood, and how inclusive practices encourage greater participation and retention of knowledge. This shift has profoundly impacted my role, prompting me to adopt more empathetic, flexible, and reflective teaching strategies that prioritize student growth beyond mere content delivery. Embracing this change has made me a more attentive and responsive educator, dedicated to nurturing not only academic skills but also lifelong learning habits.

Furthermore, my perspective on teaching has been reinforced daily through reciprocal learning experiences. Each day, I serve both as a teacher, guiding students, and as a learner, absorbing insights from student interactions, classroom dynamics, and external observations. For example, I learned new technological tools that enhance engagement, while also observing how different personalities respond to various instructional methods. Recognizing that actions and decisions serve as unintentional lessons underscores the importance of leading by example. By demonstrating patience, adaptability, and genuine curiosity, I model the qualities I wish to cultivate in my learners. Being mindful of this dual role increases my awareness of how my behavior influences the learning environment. Consequently, I can better tailor my approaches to meet diverse adult learners' needs, fostering an atmosphere of respect, empowerment, and continuous growth. Ultimately, understanding that every interaction teaches highlights the responsibility educators hold in shaping positive attitudes towards learning, which is especially vital in adult education settings where motivation and self-direction are key.

References

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  • Mezirow, J. (2000). Learning as Transformation: Critical Perspectives on a Theory in Progress. Jossey-Bass.
  • Knowles, M. S., Holton III, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2015). The Adult Learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development. Routledge.
  • Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge University Press.
  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press.
  • Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall.
  • Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and Education. Macmillan.
  • Schön, D. A. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. Basic Books.
  • Illeris, K. (2018). Contemporary Theories of Learning: Learning Theorists... in Their Own Words. Routledge.
  • Gall, M. D., Gall, J. P., & Borg, W. R. (2007). Applying Educational Research: How to Read, Do, and Use Educational Research. Pearson Education.

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