| Through
a series of books, articles, and discussions in the Ways of Knowing course, I
have learned the importance of directing my own knowledge. The rules, ideals, and concepts that my
parents and teachers have taught me, along with my past and current life
experiences have formed a framework or foundation for what and how I have
learned. However, this course taught me that there are times when I must
challenge certain ideals or concepts that have been ingrained
in me by my parents, teachers, and peers, whose teachings may have been
imperfect or even contradictory. I have
learned that I must not always take what others tell me as fact, but rather,
seek that knowledge or truth for myself. In doing so,
I am able to further my own knowledge and understanding in my field of study,
as well as learn more about myself. I had always believed that the purpose of formal education was to teach students to think critically, enhance problem solving abilities, and ultimately, become independent thinkers and learners. This course affirmed what I already believed to be true about learning, and the readings and assignments were a true test of my ability to think critically and independently. Not only did the course challenge my analytical and critical thinking skills, it also challenged my ability to communicate my thoughts and opinions as well. This is so important to me and for me as an aspiring scholar because not only will I have to produce original scholarly work, but I will also have to present that work to a larger community of scholars. The concepts that I learned in the course have given me a greater appreciation for learning and conducting research. One of the course readings defined “knowing” in terms of a search for truth, a quest for knowledge, and a journey into one’s own intellect using, among other things, education, common sense, intuition, doubt, and deduction. This definition will become my mantra throughout my tenure in the PhD program and beyond. It will also always serve as a reminder of how I have become much more aware of the implications of different ways of knowing as they relate to research and practice. |