Educational PhilosophyMy current personal educational philosophy is that, Ineed to take charge of my learning, challenge myself as a scholar and assess mygrowth as I try to obtain my full potential.
Self-regulated and goal-orientedlearning have become important topics in educational psychology because oftheir influence on learners’ achievement (Farsani, Beikmohammadi & Mohebbi,2014, p.1).This supports Malcolm Knowles theory of self- directed learning wherelearners are given some choice and control over the learning process.It is my desire to reach for higher levels as I developfor the betterment of my whole being as a prospective leader. Therefore,constant researching and communicating with peers and instructors/advisors is onekey to having a successful journey. As an adult learner I take full responsiblefor my own learning and therefore check to see if what is learned meets mylearning needs or goals.
With a teaching philosophy that requires students totake personal responsibility and make their own choices for the actual learninggoals, comes some issues (Cox, 2015, p.17). One of such issue could be that theindividual learning is not inline to meet one’s vision and mission in attainingstated goal.
Personal Vision A personal vision is how one commit to livingtheir lives. It influences all areas including family, spirituality, physicalwell-being, leisure, and work. Vision may differ from individual to individualbecause we all have different goals and even when our goals are similar wedon’t necessarily have the same route or path to get to the same. Leonardi (2013)using technology as an example suggested that, visions can differsubstantially, each one shaping what users see, want, and expect from their technologies. Myvision statement is an integration of my abilities, interests, personality,values, goals, skills/experience and stage of adult development.
It is myvision to be an intrinsically motivated, well rounded, hard working AmericanCollege of Education graduate in Leadership and to be recognized nationally andor internationally within my field/industry As an educator I can relate to the importanceor need for a clear vision leading to success in the classroom. Theteacher who is knowledgeable about what works for her students and whopossesses a clear vision is most likely to lead students to higher levels ofachievement. (Vaughn & Faircloth, 2013, p.
10). Similarly, an adult learnerwith a specific goal and a clear vision of how to achieve such goal is mostlikely to become successful when compared to an individual without the same. It is possiblethat my personal and professional identity may be altered as I progress throughthis program due to the institutions vision in relation to its pedagogy andsupport structure. Personal MissionMission is not simply about the presence of missionstatements, but rather about a sense of shared meaning and purpose (Cho, 2017,p.
185). As a doctoral student atthe American College of Education it is my mission to create and completequality scholarly work and research transparent enough for others to see thestandard, effort and commitment applied. It is my desire to live each minute of everyday as though I had all the power andinfluence necessary to make it a perfect world. Through listening, learning newideas and gaining different perspectives, I will strive to gain mastery overthe study challenges by increasing my influence circle and de-emphasize areasof concern for which I have limited control. I will behave in such a manner tobecome a beacon, a person who my child, students and colleagues would like toemulate. I will trust my dreams and become the prisoner for nothing. I will usemy private victories (strengths) unselfishly with an aim to create values forothers. The burning desire for success in achieving my doctorate will determinewhich options I decide and the paths I choose to travel.
I will seek newavenues for learning and growth utilizing nature, family, friends and newprofessional acquaintances. I will focus on being efficient and effective atonce and I am determined to make a positive difference in this world. Personal Core valuesMy core value statement defines my deep beliefs andprinciple to wards my goal. Bringing a new shared mission and vision to realityrequires shared values. (Hanbury, 2015, p. 93). As such, I share my belief thatnothing in life comes easy and after an analysis of self, I realize that I doposses a lot of positive strengths that must be utilized if I am to becomesuccessful in this course of study.
These include: 1) A great deal of motivation (intrinsicallymotivated)2) Persistency and perseverance in completing anytask undertaken (refuses to give up easily)3) Good critical thinking and problem-solvingskills 4) Ability to work for long hours 5) Knows when to seek help, aware of weakness areas6) Good investigating skills 7) Willingly welcome new ideas8) Takes constructive criticism and use them toimprove in-order to move forward9) Quick learner (trainable) 10) Getalong well with others11) Worksindependently and creatively All of which are critical components of an idealresearcher. Without hesitation I will use these attributes coupled with addedvalues along the course of study to produce the best quality standard researchthat I am capable of. Ideal research qualitiesThe hallmark of a doctoral degree has always been andremains the requirement to demonstrate mastery of the field and to apply thatknowledge to conduct original research that expands the knowledge base of thediscipline. Performing ones’ own research is a great value added to an individualupon completion of a degree. Zamboo.D, Buss and Zambo.
R, (2015) suggested thatconducting multiple cycles of action research encourages the graduates to applythe leadership theories, skills, and dispositions they learn in the universitysetting to their local contexts. For a scholar to be effective at performinghis/her own research several research qualities and skills must be demonstratedand or developed, these include: 1) Knowing current research in field 2) Ability to perform critical reviewing 3) Complying with ethical requirements 4) Justifying research methods 5) Ability to learn 6) Self-discipline 7) Willingness to ask for help 8) Works independently 9) Produce quality academic writing10) Giving and receiving feedback 11) Motivated 12) Goodproblem solving 13) Flexibilityand open mindedness 14) Goodanalytical and critical thinking15) Creativeand innovative 16) Detailed17) Resourceful18) Practiceethically 19) Thinksobjectively and subjectively I am aware that at this point I do not posses all thequalities of an ideal researcher. What is important is that I am knowledgeableof the same and will therefore make the necessary adjustments with my missionand vision as guide, knowing that my overall success in learning solely dependson me. I am therefore motivated to engage in educationally purposefulactivities that will positively contribute directly to performing my researchat the standard required by the American College of Education.
Ideal Research Qualities align with my Vision,Mission and Core ValuesThe alignment of my strategic mission, vision and corevalues to productivity will be a key contributor to my future success. Tobecome a graduate of ACE is my vision but to be qualified to graduate, I mustfirst overcome the hurdle of completing a research of acceptable standard(mission) using the pertinent core values that I possess or developed along thecourse of study. A synergeticeffort with instructors/advisor and best research practices that aligns with myvision will yield a positive result towards completing my research study. Seeingthat my strategic vision is optimally align with my mission and goal, it doesprovide the direction for increase productivity and overall development. An ideal researcheris one that is committed.
The research paper at time can be so frightening oreven paralyzing for some of us with little or disappointing previousexperience. The ability to be committed is more than just a promise to do theresearch itself. It is a state of quality to be dedicated and maintain anattitude of someone who works extremely hard. Pursuing a research requires fullattention and diversity. Anyone who processes the quality of commitment wouldalso be very rounded and responsible. Responsibility as suggested earlier is a keycomponent of self- learning. According to Çam and Ünal (2014) when thestudents take the responsibility of learning, s/he substantially fulfills experientiallearning that is the basis of constructivist approach. Besides, the learnerprecedes both affectively and cognitively.
It therefore proves that if I amgoing to be successful in completing my research paper a great zeal ofcommitment and responsibility will be required. Attitude willaffect the choices that a learner makes. Compiling a research proposal is atype of academic writing that is not a one-night thing, since it will not allowone to put forth ideas in the meaningful way. Motivation is a crucialpart of a student’s research experience. It can affect how researchers approachthe research process all together, how they relate to advisors/supervisors, howmuch time and effort they devote to the process, how much support they seekwhen they’re struggling, how much they attempt to engage or disengage theirfellow academic peers and the overall performance in compiling and defendingthe thesis.
A research finding showed that, students’ attitudes towards school,values of education and achievement motivation were significant predictors ofacademic achievement, (Dagnew, 2017, p.40). Lack of motivation whileperforming a research has its consequences that can culminate in one failingthe research, a risk I am not willing to take. Ones ability to be creative and innovative is a greatvalue while performing a research. The concept of innovation is closely relatedto the concept of change. While change can arise automatically, however,innovation is planned.
While the direction of change is nonspecific, innovationis by its nature directed forward. (De Luna, 2015, p. 244). Researchers are expectedto produce ideas that are original and useful, using a great deal ofimagination, intuition, ingenuity, insight and inspiration. To be awarded an EducationDoctorate, students are required to present a thesis that satisfies the institution’sexaminers, contains original work and possess material which is deemed worthyof publication. Education is a field in which continuous innovation isobligatory (De Luna, 2015).
I find myself to be a creative and innovativeindividual and so with the professional guidance of an advisor I should be ableto execute well. Finally, Imust add that one’s ethical foundation is normally demonstrated during researchpractices. I have learned and understand from previous research experience totake responsibility for my own work. In demonstratingethics, I ask myself if it is ‘right’ to conduct a study or carry out certain procedures.With the issues of social justice becoming a growing concern among actionresearchers.
A researcher who takes into consideration ethical issues wouldalso create a balance between objectivity and subjectivity. Quantitativeresearchers view objectivity as essential for conducting educational research,as they detach themselves from the participants to avoid any influence on theprocess and compromising the credibility and the findings. (Efron & Ravid,2013, p. 57) Mission, Vision and Core Values a Driving ForceThemission outline earlier communicates my reason for being in this program andhow I aim to achieve the goal of graduating. It also overlaps with my valuesand thus bring across a little of my beliefs. The vision statement on the otherhand provides a future- orientation declaration of my purpose and aspiration.
Basically, the mission statement lays out my purpose of being and the visionstatement then says, based on this purpose this is what I want to become/achieveusing certain critical values. Thestrategy flow directly from the vision since the strategy is to achieve thevision and in turn satisfy the mission using all the necessary core values. Along with the maximum use of core values my mission andvision play three critical roles as a driving force towards my program of study.Firstly, they provide a vehicle to communicate my purpose and values, secondly,they create a target for strategic development and finally they develop themeasurable goals and objectives by which to gauge the success of my strategies.I am committed to growing as aleader in the field of education and delivering value- added education to theend users (students, families, friends and colleagues).
