Philosophy of Learning and Teaching by Douglas S. Lewer
Teaching is the art of skillfully manipulating the students' environment so that the desired learning will occur. D.S.L., 1991
How we learn—
The age old adage says that "we learn from our mistakes." Technically, this is not true. Instead, we learn from successful experiences that are consciously perceived, reinforced and intentionally repeated.
What we learn—
Many of the objectives in science curricula are in the motor skill and affective domain. Certainly not all lie within the cognitive domain. Science is something that you do, not just something that you learn about. True understanding follows after correct experience.
How we teach—
With specific goals in mind, the science teacher must create an environment where successful experiences can be achieved. Only later will the concepts develop in the mind of the student. Once the experience has been created the teacher must develop the student's awareness of it and reinforce the student for that success.
Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet School -- 560 Concordia St. Paul, Minnesota -- 651-325-2500 -- St. Paul Public Schools
