Abstract Education should focus on the heart of the learner because the heart is the center of man`s behavior, emotion, and understanding. True education can only be achieved if there is a change of heart on the part of the learner. My personal philosophy of education is founded on the belief that the heart is the center of man`s being and true learning is manifested in a change of heart. I do believe that true wisdom comes from God and by using the Bible as the foundation of the teaching strategies, the students are educated by the Truth and not by the human knowledge of the world. As teachers, it is important to build relationships with students so that we can better understand their personality and behavior. An effective school environment is the one that considers the diversity of students in the classroom. In order create a good learning environment, the teacher should consider the individual differences of students in planning their lessons. The real purpose of education is to teach students to become a better person by developing their God-given potential and innate abilities. Learning on the other hand, is the process of accomplishing the goal of becoming a better and more capable person when he first started. Teachers should build relationships with students so that they can make connections that can help to facilitate and enhance the learning process. I do believe that teachers can make a great impact on the lives of the students if they show themselves as role-models and good examples for students to follow. By nurturing the hearts of the learners, the teacher is not only teaching them to develop intellectually but most importantly, helping them in changing their perception to become a better and a more desirable person. As the ancient philosopher Aristotle once said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Education should focus on the heart of the learner for the heart is the center of man`s behavior, emotion, and understanding. True education can only be achieved if there is a change of heart on the part of the learner.
Philosophy of Schools and Learning Schools exist to provide a learning environment for people. This is a place where the teaching-learning process occurs. With proper schooling, it helps to develop the students’ desire and ability to think and learn about the world around them. Since the time of Plato, social theorists have designed plans of education to fulfill the purposes of either conserving the old order of life or reconstructing society into new forms (Gutek,1995). Various schools adopt several education theories and principles to produce the best learning outcomes among students. Learning is a complex process that involves various factors. As Illeris (2009) writes: “Learning is also a very complex matter, and there is no generally accepted definition of the concept”. Nowadays there are so many learning theories being developed that makes it hard for teachers to choose which learning theory is applicable in a specific learning situation. As a Christian teacher, I do believe that schools should focus on educating the heart of the learner. The heart is the center of man`s being and true learning is manifested in the change of hearts among students. I should teach according to Biblical principles because I believe that God`s Word is the Truth and is the source of Wisdom. My teaching methods and strategies is founded in the Truth of God`s Word and it can change the hearts of students. Hebrews 4:12 reads “For the word of God is alive and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”. I also believe that all students are created by God in a unique and special way. He made them all perfect having their own uniqueness as Psalm 139:13-14 writes: “You alone created my inner being. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made”. It is important for teachers to establish a good learning environment for the learner and to consider the individual differences of students in planning their lessons. Teachers should use a variety of teaching strategies and methods that cater to the individual needs of students in the classroom.
Instructional Practice Learning should be founded with time-tested principles and concepts to be successful in its implementation. As mentioned by Graham (2009), although the Bible is not a textbook of learning theory, it does provide teachers with principles and concepts on which to build a learning theory. By using the Bible as the foundation of teaching principles, I do believe that students will be educated by the Truth and not the human knowledge of the world. God`s Wisdom is the truth and the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God (1 Corinthians 3:19). I also believe that for education to be successful, it should not only focus on the intellectual aspect of the learner but most importantly, focus on the Heart which is the center of the person`s being. Jesus said in Mark 7:21 that “the heart is the motivating center for all behavior, whether the behavior is good or bad”. The Bible teaches clearly that the heart is the source of human behavior, and therefore it plays a major role in learning (Graham, 2009). A good learning environment is also an essential part in the learning process. Setting up an effective learning environment is a matter of knowing a set of techniques that any teacher can learn or apply (Poole & Evertson, 2012). Providing an effective learning environment includes strategies that teachers use to create a positive and productive classroom experience. Classroom instruction should enhance intrinsic motivation as much as possible. Teachers should try to convince students that learning, rather than a grade, is the purpose of academic work.
Teacher-Learner Relationship The teacher-learner relationship is an important factor in the education process. Teachers and learners should maintain good interpersonal relationship that leads to a positive outcome. According to Naidu (2003) the teacher should closely monitor the students and learn their specific weaknesses and strengths. In this way, the teacher will be able to develop instructional methods that are learner-centered to cater the individual weaknesses or strengths. As teachers, it is important to build relationships with students so that we can better understand their personality and behavior. Teachers need to continuously monitor the student`s performance to be aware of any difficulties or problems. This will give the teacher a better understanding of the student`s learning difficulties and finding ways to help the student gain more understanding and providing support. It is also important that teachers and students should respect each other to have a harmoniously relationship in the classroom. Graham (2009) mentioned that “teachers respect the students by including them in the decision making, listening to them, and acting on their suggestions. Also, students respect the teachers by listening to them, trusting them to lead and care for them, and being committed to pursuing the learning goals and tasks even when they do not immediately see the relevance of them (Graham (2009). In Titus 2:7-8 we are reminded to “show ourselves in all respects to be a model of good works, and in our teaching show integrity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned.” So, teachers should not only show respect but also be a role model to students. As such, students can see in the teacher`s actions and real-life examples the actual applications of the concepts that they are learning in the classroom.
Diversity An effective school environment is the one that considers the diversity of students in the classroom. Teachers should understand that the students came from various cultures and family backgrounds so their behavior and ways of thinking are not the same. Students also differ in their levels of understanding, perception of things, and individual differences. All students are created by God in a unique and special way. He made them all perfect having their own uniqueness (Psalm 139:13-14). In order create a good learning environment, the teacher should consider the individual differences of students in planning their lessons. Beck (2001) suggests encouraging teachers to avoid only using a teaching style that reflects their preferred style and to help students to process learning using the whole brain. A typical classroom is composed of various types of students, some are gifted students who can easily master what was taught, while others may take some time to understand what is taught. The teacher should understand that learners understand concepts and different pace and thus adjust his or her teaching methods to suit all the learners` needs.
Conclusion The goal of education is to teach the student to become a better person by developing his individual gifts and abilities. The teacher helps to facilitate the learning process using various teaching methods and strategies to achieve the best learning outcomes. Aside from being facilitators and instructors of learning, teachers are also expected to nurture students and become role models for them to follow. I do believe that the teaching-learning process is more effective if teachers have good relationship with students. The good relationship between the teacher and students can build trust, respect, and most importantly will educate the heart of the student. By properly nurturing the heart of the learner, the teacher is helping them to gain new perspectives in life to become a better person. The heart is the center of the person`s being and once it is changed, it makes him a better person. Jesus said in Mark 7:21 that “the heart is the motivating center for all behavior, whether the behavior is good or bad”. With this I believe that education should focus on the heart of the learner for the heart is the center of man`s behavior, emotion, and understanding. True education can only be achieved if there is a change in heart of the learner.
References Graham, D. L. (2009). Teaching Redemptively: Bringing Grace and Truth into your Classroom (2nd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications. ISBN: 9781583310588. Gutek, G. L. (1995). A History of the Western Educational Experience (2nd ed). Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland Press, Inc. ISBN: 0-88133-818-4 Illeris, K. (2009). Contemporary theories of learning: Learning theorists -- in their own words. London: Routledge. Naidu, S. (2003). Learning and teaching with technology: principles and practices. New York, NY: Routledge. Poole, & Evertson. (2012). Establishing Classroom Norms and Expectation. Retrieved October 20, 2016, from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf_case_studies/ics_effrmarr.pdf