I’m feeling very wishy-washy. I keep thinking I have found a learning theory, then I learn more about it and change my mind again. Most recently, I thought there might be a mash-up between Humanism and Constructivism as my learning philosophy. I have read so much literature over the last several weeks. I have flip-flopped and flipped again. I find value in so many of the learning theories.
Right now, I am mentally agreeing with enthusiasm over the recent publications I’ve found regarding humanistic advising. Humanistic advising aligns with every professional purpose and passion I can currently identify. I can see my passion and interest in the humanistic advising philosophy in the professional development sessions I select and attend. I know that being caring and compassionate is 110% why I do what I do, why I stay when it’s tough, and why I try to go above and beyond everything single opportunity.
The biggest challenge has been trying to wrap my mind around ways to bring this hands-on learning approach into my role and relationships with students. Throughout my New Culture of Advising consideration, I desperately wanted to find ways to introduce the power of the collective into my advising relationships. Federal regulations still limit me from connecting students with other students. Finding multiple current sources of humanism and advising gives me hope that there is a learning theory that will align with my goals and passions.
Nonetheless, as seen in my last post, I desperately want to incorporate the constructivist experience from which I currently benefit. The process of identifying a learning philosophy has indeed been a labor of love, and I ultimately see the reasoning in this painful pursuit. I cannot help but wonder if others read a brief description of the learning theories and picked from a paragraph or two. I have been digging and discovering sources and context in desperation for the one that felt right.
The Advisor That Cares 
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