Objectives:
When you finish studying this chapter, you should be able to:
- Discuss the relationship between philosophy and education.
- Identify essential characteristics of the following systems of educational philosophy: idealism, realism, pragmatism, and existentialism.
- Identify essential characteristics of the following educational theories: perennialism, essentialism, progressivism, and social reconstruction.
- Describe how educational philosophies and theories affect schools' statement of purposes and goals, curriculum, instruction, and values.
- Analyze such issues as educational quality, equity, and standards in philosophical perspective.
- Begin to develop your own philosophy of education.
Focus and Refocus Questions:
When you finish studying this chapter, you should be able to answer the following questions from your textbook:
Focus Questions
- What are the subdivisions of philosophy, how are they defined, and what are my beliefs about them?
- What are the leading philosophies of education? Are certain philosophies present in my educational experiences? Do these philosophies help me examine and reflect on my beliefs and practices in education?
- What theories guide educational practice, curriculum, teaching, and learning? Are these theories present in my educational experiences? Do these theories help me to examine and reflect on my beliefs and practices in education?
- How do philosophies and theories of education influence teaching and learning in schools? For example, how does a teacher's relationship to students exemplify her or his beliefs, ethics, and values?
- How does a teacher's method of instruction reflect a particular theory of knowledge acquisition and learning? How does a teacher's attitude to cultural diversity exemplify her or his conception of a just society?
Refocus Questions
- Which area of philosophy do you consider most important as a teacher: metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, or logic? Which area is of least importance? Why?
- What elements of idealism have you noticed in classes you've had? What elements of this position are most immediately appealing to you as a teacher? Which are least appealing? Why?
- As you reflect on your own educational beliefs, do you notice any similarities to the realist philosophy?
- Pragmatism has had a significant influence on education in America. What influences of this philosophy can you identify in your own educational experiences? How do you feel about carrying these influences into your own teaching?
- Can you recall any influences of existentialism in your own education? What place does this philosophy hold in your plans for teaching?
- Progressive influences are strong in many American schools. Would you like to teach in such a school? Why?
- Did you have any teachers who seemed to exemplify social reconstructionism? Did these teachers use a method of instruction that reflected their particular point of view?
- How can critical theory influence how you, as a teacher, address issues of cultural diversity in your classroom?
- Did your own educational experiences include strong influences from perennialism? How do you think this theory will influence your teaching?
- In what ways do you believe that your teaching will be affected by the essentialist-influenced trend toward national standardized testing?
