Claire Burgoyne

Personal Learning Theory

September 14, 2011

The results of my Teaching Perspectives Inventory, (TPI) included three scores each

separated by one point. As a nurturing teacher teaching students in ne arts courses I value apprenticeship. A primary objective is to improve my practice by incorporating developmental approaches. I believe we are natural learners who learn at varying rates. When we are permitted to focus on individual interests guided by our passions and strengths we have higher self-esteem with more potential to become strong individuals able to contribute to community and society in positive ways.
It is my belief that traditional schooling impedes our ability to reach our potential. It

sties our sense of curiousity and persuades us learning is hard work. It imposes a full schedule with little room for personal discovery and delays or even prevents individuals from establishing their life journeys. Our institutions, with their curriculums and standardized tests, neglect to consider that when stressed by expectations that are imposed or that lack meaning learning rarely occurs.
In order to ourish, we need freedom and time to learn through exploration, discovery,

and experimentation. It is through these experiences that we recognize our strengths and begin to gain knowledge and develop skills by challenging ourselves. With such challenges we are most likely to experience growth, feel complete, and live satisfying lives.
My goal is to help students identify their strengths and passions and re-discover that

learning is an adventure. We never stop learning and we each have a preferred learning style. Few of us appreciate being either lectured to or directed from a starting point along a straight path to a dened end point. Learners have individual starting points and benet from time for wandering to uncharted yet satisfying and often surprising destinations.

Claire Burgoyne

Personal Learning Theory

September 14, 2011

References Pratt, D.D. (2002). Good teaching: One size ts all? In Jovita Gordo (Ed.), An Update on Teaching Theory. San Francisco: Josse-Bass. Retrieved from: http:// www.teachingperspectives.com/PDF/goodteaching.pdf Pratt, D.D. (n.d.) Ten simple steps for interpreting your TPI prole. Retrieved from: http:// www.one45.com/teachingperspectives/tpi_html/tpi_summaries.htm