Educational Philosophy
As an educator, I am driven by the belief that I can play a pivotal role in the development of young individuals to become innovative, passionate and ethical leaders in our global society. To achieve this vision, I firmly believe inquiry based learning to be the vehicle that fosters the fundamental skills to create lifelong learners who are capable of critical thinking while being truly independent. As a specialist in Geography and the humanities, I consider my interest and passion for the subject to be the basis from which I can embed my educational philosophy.
The process of inquiry learning can be outlined as asking questions, forming hypotheses, collecting and handling information, making sense of the information, forming conclusions, and finally, reflecting on what has been learned and the process of the learning itself. Through inquiry, I believe that learning is acyclical and evolving process where knowledge and understanding is not just increased in depth and breadth, but can be improved and reshaped. I aim to guide students through the inquiry process allowing them to develop a full understanding of the process so that they can continue to learn in university and beyond, whether in a professional sense or a personal sense.
An integral part of the inquiry process is making sense of information. In an age where information is abundant yet from a variety of sources and can often be presented with an underlying agenda, it is important that learners become critical thinkers to avoid the temptation of accepting inaccurate information or knowledge from authority. Learners who develop the critical thinking skills to acquire knowledge and understanding that is more accurate and reliable will develop the confidence to ask questions and take risks, allowing them to innovate and lead in a world that is swiftly evolving around us.
The ability to perform the tasks for inquiry while being critical are essential to being an independent learner. However, without a curiosity of the world around them and a thirst for knowledge, the skills that a learner develops may otherwise be redundant. I believe that to be truly independent, a learner should not learn merely when they are asked or required to, but rather they should have the desire to do so as a result of a healthy thirst for knowledge driven by their curiosity and sense of wonder. With a healthy curiosity, young people will ask questions that will direct their learning and will be more enthused and determined to find the answers. Essentially, these traits are fundamental aspects that are needed to enthuse passionate and ethical leaders that have the independence to search for the answers and truths for themselves.
Geography is a multidisciplinary subject that requires a global perspective and encourages learners to investigate the patterns around us, reflect on issues from a number of viewpoints, while fostering the key skills to prepare them for their future in a world that continues to evolve. Through being passionate about Geography, I aim to provide inspiration that will spark the curiosity of learners and nurture their enthusiasm to search for the answers of their questions. Through the continued acquisition and remodelling of knowledge and understanding, learners can become the leaders of tomorrow who can make decisions that are informed and ethical yet take the risks that allow innovation.