Rockstar Theorists

 Rockstar Theorists

There are many theorists that have influenced my personal teaching, but a few stand out above the rest. The first theorist that comes to mind is Jean Piaget. Constructivism is one of the theories that has resonated with me the most. Constructivist is the idea that new knowledge is created with reference to prior knowledge. When an experience doesn’t agree with the the cognitive schemes we have for a subject, a disequilibrium occurs that drives learning. This disequilibrium is behind the teachable moments that make lessons much more memorable. In my everyday teaching, I try to create teachable moments by using real-world examples and having students role-play as professionals to solve practical problems. I also make a concerted effort to smoothly transition from one topic to the next so that students are continually reflecting on their background knowledge.

    

   The second theorist that has most influenced my teaching is Howard Gardner and his theory of multiple intelligences. I agree with Gardner’s idea that different students have their own strengths, weaknesses, and personal preferences. Balanced teaching should therefore include variety to appeal to these learning styles. This approach will not only help students with diverse learning needs, but help students become more well-rounded learners. Finally, following Gardner’s theory incorporates repetition in a way that isn’t too boring for the students or the teacher. For example, I’ll often start a new unit with a hands-on activity, then use written notes, readings, lab activities, and videos to cover the content. If students don’t understand the material the first time it’s covered, they’ll ideally get the hang of it when we use an approach that resonates with them. 

    Finally, Carol Dweck and her theory of the growth mindset has had an influence on my teaching since our very first residency. Keeping the growth mindset in mind has altered the way I provide feedback to students. Instead of saying things like “you’re smart,” I try to give feedback such as “you must have worked hard,” or “your efforts really paid off.” These latter comments suggest to students that their success in the course is in their hands. I’ve heard many students comment that they “just aren’t good at science” or “just aren’t smart,” but I hope that embodying the growth mindset will help my students put forth more effort, persevere through challenges, and see mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. This is a skill that will help them succeed not just in my classroom, but in all aspects of their lives. 

    Throughout our MAT program, I have been exposed to many theorists and theories that have influenced my teaching. Not all of them have significantly resonated with me, but the teachings of Piaget, Gardner, and Dweck, among others, have impacted the way I approach my lesson planning, teaching, assessment, and feedback. As a professional, it is important to constantly reflect on my teaching and look for ways in which I can improve. I hope to use the teachings of these theorists, and others I learn about in the future, to mold myself into the best teacher I can be.