Darnell Anderson
Darnell Anderson
Biography
My teaching philosophy revolves around the concept of life-long learning and developing critical thinking skills. Actually, my entire teaching philosophy developed from my undergraduate training in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program at Wayne State University. I believe that learning is a process of active engagement with experience. Lifelong learning is the idea that learning can and does occur beyond the formal structure of an educational institution and occurs throughout one's lifetime. It is the concept of continuous personal development through personal learning. Lifelong learning is what people do when they want to make sense of the world. It may involve an increase in skills, knowledge, understanding, values or the capacity to reflect on one’s existence. Effective learning will lead to change, development and a desire to learn more.
At Wayne State I learned that the most valuable tool that a life-long learner needed was the ability to think critically. I learned that critical thinking was a tool that could be used in everyday life as well as the work-place. I believe that all life-long learners should possess the skill of thinking critically. The bedrock of my teaching philosophy is to assist students in developing critical thinking skills that they can use throughout their lives.
I like to challenge student’s mind by introducing them to the basic concepts of argumentation and show them how these concepts are applied in everyday life. By providing them with the basic tools of argumentation the student develops confidence and enhances their intellectual capabilities. By teaching a student to approach concepts and issue in their life from a critical thinking perspective, the student learns that they have to use logic and reason to present and defend their points of view.
I am adept and experienced with understanding and cultivating different learning styles and points of view, as such I believe in the concept the facilitator rather than the role of the instructor. I want the learning environment to be easier for others to learn and grow. I believe the learning environment should assist in understanding and the facilitator directs the implementation of processes, programs, and plans within that environment. The most valuable and critical tools I possess, is my ability to listen, ask questions, provide ideas, suggest alternatives, and identify possible solutions to enhance the learning environment.
I believe that the most important ingredient a facilitator can take to help students develop critical thinking skill is to create a positive learning environment. A positive learning environment can be accomplished by respecting and promoting intellectual diversity. Intellectual diversity is accomplished by encouraging students that they have something to offer to the educational environment through sharing their life experiences, by allowing students to share their life’s experiences, it contributes to the positive learning environment and illustrates facilitating intellectual diversity in the classroom. To promote and enhance critical thinking skills the facilitator has to demonstrate an ability to work with different learning styles and points of view and help them contribute to the learning environment.