Education and Transformation Essay Essay

Transformative cognition is the bidding of using a prior interpretation to construe a new or rewrite interpretation of the meaning of bingles experience in order to guide future action (Mezi dustup, 2003). It is also a process where an education that is transformative redirects and reenergizes those who break in to reflect on what their lives have been and take on new purposes and perspectives (Will McWhinney et al. , 2003). Jack Mezirows central idea is the process to make meaning from our experiences through reflection, sarcastic reflection and critical self-reflection (Dirkx et al.,2006), Mezirow named this process perspective transformation.According to toilette M. Dirkx (2006) transformative acquirement is emotionally driven and focalisationes more than on a deeper learnedness, his view suggests a more integrated and holistic understanding of subjectivity, one that reflects the intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual dimensions of our being in the world (Dirkx et al. ,2006). Transformative learning is a process most somebodys have undergo once in their life measure and it is a process that I can closely plug in to.My own(prenominal) experience of transformative learning is closely relevant toJohn M Dirkx emotional come up to the process and Mezirows Subjective Reframing (self-reflective) (Dirkx et al. ,2006). To demonstrate my personal transformative learning experience, I have include my story in this essay. t apieceing method has al focussings been an important factor in my life unlike some of my peers I enjoy studying and learning. In high school, in year 10 I had to choose my year eleven and twelve subjects. Business studies in secondary school seemed very diverting, hence why I chose it as a year eleven and twelve subject.Throughout my entire education life, I have always had agreat interest in history whether it was superannuated or sophisticated so I also chose to study mod history. For me both subjects were very important as they make a lot of divagation to my 1 1 ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). However with the dickens subjects I had two completely different experiences, which is related to transformative learning. Firstly, with business studies I had a teacher who lacked discipline and she was a vessel full of knowledge and information and we were her bank account, where she would pour her wisdom and knowledge to us students this method is called the banking method (personalcommunication, 5 August, 2013).Her teaching method included reading information from the textbook and not explaining in detail what certain cost mean and how they relate to our learning. Personally, I would go out of the classroom as an empty vessel and feel like I wasted fifty minutes of my learning time. Each lesson it got harder and harder to concentrate because I did not understand anything that I was supposedly learning, so my other peers easily distracted me. Unfortunately for me, my teacher kept thinking t hat I was the main reference point of distraction.Until today I still do not know why she sousedly believed that Idistracted everyone else, maybe it was because I did not interact with classroom topics I did not learn anything and that is why I could not participate in class discussions. Each lesson, I had to sit in the front row by myself or next to a student that was not my friend some lessons I would not even speak a word tho my teacher would still pick on me for turning my interrogative to the direction of the noise a student was making. By the end of year eleven, I suddenly hated my teacher provided I never argued with her, I just tried my best to stay focused and teach myself.My p arnts have always told me to appreciate my teachers but to also stand up for myself in cases where I felt isolated and disadvantaged. Three months before the HSC (Higher School Certificate), I finally had enough and stood up for myself. It was a Monday morning, I had double period of Business studies and as always I had to sit in the front row and not speak a word. Towards the end of the lesson, I quietly asked the girl next to me about a word I did not understand, before I even had a happening to hear the answer my teacher started to scream at me and that is when I broke down in tears.I tried to explain what I was doing however she 2 2 refused to listen to me so I started to argue with her, I raised my voice at her and told her to stop screaming at me. She instantly sent me to the head teacher of business studies however it backfired on her. I told the head teacher everything that had happened within a year and a half, I showed her my workbook and explained how she lacked teaching skills. Fortunately for me, one of my peers supported me and told her that the teacher kept picking on me.The next day in class we had a new seating arrangement, my teachers attitude had changeddramatically, she seemed more focus and more serious about teaching. However, I decided to drop bu siness studies as I felt that I could not do well in the final exam and also I could not cope with my teacher. In hindsight I am glad that I dropped that subject and stood up for myself. In comparison, modern history was my favourite subject.My passion and interest for history had a large contribution to my high grades and achievements but my teacher, she is the one who helped me receive the marks I valued in the HSC. She applied the factory learning (personal communication, 5 August, 2013) theory to us, at the end of each lesson we wouldhave to stand up and explain the key points we had learnt that lesson. Additionally, in every single class we would receive worksheets and a summary of all the important information and she would go through it, with us.If we did not understand something, she was more than smart to take time out of her lunch and carefully explain that topic to us. For two years, every single lesson was fun and interesting, she never raised her voice at us, and inst ead she would just say shhh or just tap us on the shoulder if we were talking over her. In hindsight, I now sack how much my attitude and perspective has changed towardslearning. Both subjects made me realise that I have the knowledge and wisdom to achieve what I want and it also say me to choose what I want to study in University, which is teaching.Mezirows states his perspective on transformative learning by describing it as an 3 3 adult learning that modifies their assumptions and clarifies them. Mezirow calls this the meaning perspective, which selectively shapes and delimits perception, cognition, feelings and disposition by inclining our motives, goals and expectations (Dirkx et al. ,2006). Personally, my transformational learning experience is linked with Mezirows meaningperspective theory I made meaning out of my experiences by defining and reflecting on my journey.Many people may not associate a negative and positive experience with transitional learning and meaning persp ective but for me those two diverse experiences have transformed my views. I now not only study to become a teacher but I also try my best to practice becoming a helpful, disciplined, understanding and caring teacher, so my students can enjoy my classes and inhabit positive learning. My personal experience is described as transformative learning as I have changed and learntabout my learning environment and even more significantly about my strengths and weaknesses.My experience closely relates to both Mezirows and Dirkxs theories. Mezirows idea of subjective reframing and meaning perspective and also Dirkxs emotional approach to the being in the world (Dirkx et al. ,2006). John Dirkxs approach to transitional learning focuses more on the inner self and inner world. Dirkxs first of all point is that we as adults keep our personal and private thoughts, beliefs and values close to our chest and only allow a few, if any, others to know, he further concentrates on our inner voices, the ones thatlend a felt presence (Dirkx et al. ,2006).According to Dirkx, these inner voices are not alone, he highlights that our consciousness joins our inner voices, which eventually lead to individuals thinking why they think of how others perceive them as (Dirkx et al. ,2006). Joining Dirkx on his idea is Willis Harman who states that human consciousness should be given full light to the primacy of inner conscious awareness (OSullivan et al. , 2004). Both Dirkx and Harmans ideas links back to my experience as a high school student. 4 4 tone back, I kept my true thoughts private and I allowed my inner voices to get the betterof me.Similarly to what Harman suggests, I soon started to recognise my consciousness after I stood up for myself and critically assessed myself for not taking actions earlier. In contemporary society, now, if something similar was to happen I would use my brain and consciousness rather than concentrate on my inner voice. However, Mezirow challenges Dirkxs id ea by highlighting that transitional learning occurs within ones awareness and that the outcome must involve a rational process of critically assessing ones epistemic assumptions (Dirkx et al. ,2006).Mezirow further adds to his critique, that the reason whytransitional learning is stopped from being reduced to a faith, prejudice, vision or desire is because he believes that it happens within awareness and consciousness (Dirkx et al. ,2006). Furthermore, my transformational learning experience allowed me to have a better understanding of myself, I was able to self reframe (self reflect) on my journey and observe the situation that I endured and finally recognise the main reason that factored to having a transformative experience.Hence, why I believe that both Dirkx and Mezirows theories relate to my personal experience.In addition to Mezirow, Dirkx and Harmans ideas, Roslyn Arnold argues that in order for effective learning to take place an effective teacher should be put in place (A rnold, 2005)John Hattie who studied Americas very best teachers highlights that the key ingredient for the most effective teaching is not reducing class sizes or introducing new technology or asking for parent help or tutoring or concentrating on certain students, it is finding a classroom teacher that has an impaction on children. He further adds that our focus should be shifted to higher quality teaching rather than seek for other solutions (Arnold, 2005).Arnold puts forward the idea that although teaching and learning is vital in schools, teachers should also recognise that students well-being are just as important as their learning. Arnold also recognises the fact that it is not only what we learn, but it is also about how we feel about 5 5 what we learn (Arnold, 2005). Personally I can relate to both Arnold and John Hatties ideas with regards to my modern history teacher.As previously stated, my modern history teacher cared for our well-being along with our learning, she did t his by having group conversationswith us about what we did on the weekend or on some days when we finished our class work early we would show her funny pictures we found on Facebook. Most of all, she would show great interest in our studying and grades so she would ask us to tell her the best way we learn and how else she could make the HSC year a little less disagreeable for us.It was also the way I felt about the subject, I absolutely enjoyed every single minute of modern history, I would air forward to each lesson and I would always participate in-group discussions. In comparison with my business studies teacher I could not even ask questions that wererelevant to the topic, she did not care for my well-being, she would advisedly make jokes that would hurt other students or make rude comments. Of course no one made a complaint about it because they enjoyed wasting quality-learning time and distracting her from teaching.Both Arnold and John Hatties theories are extremely importa nt, they not only suggest that learning is part of our environment and consciousness but they also look for other elements that impact students education and my experience with both teachers significantly show that their ideas are right.In conclusion, the reason why I selected to discuss both of my personal experiences is because I can relate to Jake Mezirow, John Dirkx, Willis Harman, Roslyn Arnold and John Hatties concepts and ideas significantly relate to my transition. Recognising and self-assessing your experience is essential to individuals like myself, if I did not recognise and self reframe myself, I could not have move forward or transform.Although Mezirow argues that transition happens in awareness and Dirkx argues that it happens when we are unaware, I personally believe that it is both as individuals can listen to their inner voice but 6 6also be conscious while transforming. Arnold and John Hattie both argue strong and important points, high quality teaching will always have a positive impact on students and if teachers care for their well being therefore problems such as mine will not happen.Personally, I am glad that I experienced both a negative and positive learning environment as it allowed me to change the way I think and express my thoughts and values without having to worry about being yelled at. It was also a honourable experience because when I do become a teacher I will always keep in mind my experiences and never treat my students the way my businessstudies teacher treated me.Some individuals experiences include environmental factors, family, friends and work that allow them to transform. My personal experience included enduring two diverse learning experiences that made me transform to the young teacher I will be, who will always put her students well being first. 7 7 REFERENCE LIST Arnold, R. , (2005). Empathic intelligence. Dean of education at the University of Tasmania (UNSW Press). Dirkx, M, J. , Mezirow, J, & Cranton, P. (2006 ). Musings and reflections on the meaning, context, and process of Transformative Learning a dialogue between John M.Dirkx, Jack Mezirow and Patricia Cranton. ledger of Transformative Education 4 123, doi 10. 1177/1541344606287503 McWhinney, W, & Markos, L. (2003). Transformative education across the threshold. Journal of Transformative Education 1 16, doi 10. 1177/1541344603252098 Mezirow, J. (2003). Epistemology of transformative learning. Unpublished manuscript. OSullivan, E. V. , & Taylor, M. M. (2004). Glimpses of an bionomic consciousness. In Learning toward an ecological consciousness Selected transformative practices (pp. 5-24). New York, NY Palgrave Macmillan. 8 8 BIBLIOGRAPHY Cooper, S.(n. d). Transformational learning. Theories of learning in educational psychology. Retrieved from http//www. lifecircles-inc. com/Learningtheories/humanist/mezirow. html (accessed 5 September 2013) 9 9 View as multi-pages TOPICS IN THIS papers Consciousness, Education, Learning, Learning c urve, Meaning of life, Teacher RELATED entryS Education school of thought formal logical techniques to philosophical problems. My educational philosophy is based on personal experience, and from daily observations. I believe that the purpose of todays schools go above and beyond simply academic education.I believe that schools are a place for education, experience, and preparation for the future. As any comfortable environment, schools should provide students with good physical, mental, and emotional health. In order to 2441 Words 4 Pages READ total DOCUMENT Education Philisophy Outline and Rational Education Philosophy Outline and principle Education Philosophy Outline and Rationale Metaphysics History Aristotles metaphysics included Ontology (study of existence), Natural Theology (Study of God), and Universal Science (causality, relations, interactions, etc. ) Major Branches Theology What is God?Is there a God, and if so, what is its purpose/ Cosmology Where did the univers e come from, and what is it comprised of? Determinism/ allay Will 2441 Words 6 Pages READ FULL DOCUMENT Education Outline and Rationale Running head Educational Philosophy Outline and Rationale Educational Philosophy Outline and Rationale Karimah Collins Grand Canyon University EDU 576 July 3, 2010 Educational Philosophy Outline and Rationale Philosophies in education may falsify from school to school and teacher to teacher. Through the years, there have been vast changes in technology, values, and ideals.In this paper, my educational philosophy and rationale for that philosophy will be explained. 2441 Words 5 Pages READ FULL DOCUMENT My Personal Philosophy of Education ? DESCRIBE YOUR OWN PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION. WHAT EDUCATION MEANS TO YOU AND HOW IT CAN BE ACHIEVED, WHAT METHOD OF LEARNING YOU BELIEVE IS THE BEST, WHAT ADVANTAGES DISTANCE LEARNING AND PERSONALIZED LEARNING HAS ETC. To describe education in the simplest form is the process of teaching and or learning. This enc ompasses the theory and the process of achieving enlightenment or knowledge and understanding.All human beings on this planet require 2441 Words 3 Pages READ FULL DOCUMENT Education and the Role of Philosophy Education and, the Role of Philosophy In The Journey through American Education Curriculum as a theatre of operations of study has been characterized as elusive, fragmentary and confusing (Ornstein and Hunkins, 2009, p. 1). According to Wikipedia, education is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character, or physical ability of an individual and is the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated2441 Words 7 Pages READ FULL DOCUMENT The Different Schools of Philosophy Which Affect Education Philosophy and education are closely related for philosophy is the basis of education. The strengths and weakness of philosophical system are explored in terms of their relations to education. Philosophy is made of two major divisions, name ly metaphysics and epistemology. Metaphysics is a subdivision of philosophy which systematically analyzes the question of the ultimate reality. During the middle ages, metaphysis became the most important 2441 Words READ FULL DOCUMENT Foundation in Education which is the main philosophy of the education system. The library is often seen as the storehouse of knowledge in the school. Foundations in Education touch on four key areas each of which provides insightful information into the society, the individuals and their interactions with each other. The four main areas in Foundations in Education are psychology, sociology, philosophy and language. We will look at each in turn to see the benefits of 2441 Words 9 Pages READ FULL DOCUMENT Education and Cognitive theory.a.Dewey argued that children learn best by doing, the idea that education should focus on the whole child and emphasize the childs rendering to the environment, reasoned that children should not be just narrowly educat ed in academic topics but should learn how to think and adapt to a world outdoor(a) school, and the belief that all children deserve to have a competent education. Some example are to boost student motivation by 2441 Words 2 Pages READ FULL DOCUMENT CITE THIS DOCUMENT APA (2014, 04). Education.