Chapter 2Chapter 2

Philosophical Philosophical Foundations and Foundations and

Theories of EducationTheories of Education

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Four Philosophical Four Philosophical StancesStances

IdealismIdealism RealismRealism ExistentialismExistentialism PragmatismPragmatism

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Idealism Idealism The most significant philosophy;The most significant philosophy; The quality of life– the intangibles, The quality of life– the intangibles,

the whispers;the whispers; Material things are evils;Material things are evils; The highest element of man is The highest element of man is

reason;reason; Freedom is based on education;Freedom is based on education; Creative growth;Creative growth; One’s intellectual and personal life.One’s intellectual and personal life.

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An idealist teacher:An idealist teacher: stretches oneself through higher-stretches oneself through higher-

level thinking;level thinking; every pupil makes a different, he every pupil makes a different, he

counts for something;counts for something; knows the content, likes to teach, knows the content, likes to teach,

knows his students; knows his students; school represents the community;school represents the community; demonstrates school spirit, good demonstrates school spirit, good

conduct, high moral standards, and conduct, high moral standards, and fair play;fair play;

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Realism Realism Like idealism, one of the oldest;Like idealism, one of the oldest; Focuses on scientific method and personal Focuses on scientific method and personal

experience;experience; Its crux is science-- empirical, objective, and Its crux is science-- empirical, objective, and

experimental;experimental; Discovers the truth;Discovers the truth; Rules and regulations are essential;Rules and regulations are essential; Men are created equal.Men are created equal. Education is for all;Education is for all; Accountability;Accountability; Precision in math and science encouraged;Precision in math and science encouraged; The influx of technology reflects realist The influx of technology reflects realist

philosophical view.philosophical view. 5

ExistentialismExistentialism One’s total self;One’s total self; Choice, absolute freedom, and total Choice, absolute freedom, and total

responsibility;responsibility; Empowering students;Empowering students; Existentialists interested in affective side of man, Existentialists interested in affective side of man,

his capacity to love, to appreciate, to respond his capacity to love, to appreciate, to respond emotionally to the world about him;emotionally to the world about him;

Emphasizes humanities– art, music, and drama.Emphasizes humanities– art, music, and drama. The existential teacher is a free spirit who has no The existential teacher is a free spirit who has no

limitations in terms of dress and personal limitations in terms of dress and personal lifestyle;lifestyle;

This teacher does as he or she chooses, in short, This teacher does as he or she chooses, in short, daring to be different at all times.daring to be different at all times.

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PragmatismPragmatism Ventures forth with the question Ventures forth with the question

about truth;about truth; Scientific and technological advances;Scientific and technological advances; Charles Pierce, an American Charles Pierce, an American

mathematician, scientist, and mathematician, scientist, and philosopher, was a promoter of philosopher, was a promoter of pragmatism in the 1800s and early pragmatism in the 1800s and early 1900s;1900s;

Teaching students survey techniques Teaching students survey techniques and equipment.and equipment.

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PHILOSOPHIES OF PHILOSOPHIES OF EDUCATIONEDUCATION

AND AND

THEIR CLASSROOM THEIR CLASSROOM APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

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IDEALISMIDEALISM

The teacherThe teacher Knows the content area that he/she Knows the content area that he/she

teaches very well.teaches very well. Enjoys teaching and serving as a Enjoys teaching and serving as a

model for student.model for student. Believes each student has value and Believes each student has value and

can make a valuable contribution to can make a valuable contribution to society.society.

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Teaching strategiesTeaching strategies Encourage students to challenge Encourage students to challenge

themselves as learners.themselves as learners. Encourage students to “seek the Encourage students to “seek the

truth”.truth”.

The studentThe student Is in school to seek the truth.Is in school to seek the truth.

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The curriculumThe curriculum is based on cultural heritage and is based on cultural heritage and

wisdom.wisdom.

Classroom managementClassroom management Few discipline problems as teacher’s Few discipline problems as teacher’s

love of subject matter is transferred to love of subject matter is transferred to students.students.

Any problems with student behavior are Any problems with student behavior are handled by the teacher who discusses handled by the teacher who discusses them with the students involved.them with the students involved.

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REALISMREALISMThe teacherThe teacher Relies on test score to place students.Relies on test score to place students. Readily adopts new technology.Readily adopts new technology.

Teaching strategiesTeaching strategies Emphasize realistic novel such as Emphasize realistic novel such as The The

Color Purple.Color Purple. Stress precision and accuracy in Stress precision and accuracy in

math, science, social studies, and math, science, social studies, and writing.writing.

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The studentThe student Is expected to focus on accuracy.Is expected to focus on accuracy.

The curriculumThe curriculum Emphasizes accountability.Emphasizes accountability. Stresses concept acquisition.Stresses concept acquisition.

Classroom managementClassroom management Classroom rules and resultant Classroom rules and resultant

punishments are established at the punishments are established at the beginning of the school year and posted in beginning of the school year and posted in the classroom.the classroom.

Violators are punished according to the Violators are punished according to the criteria established.criteria established.

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EXISTENTIALISMEXISTENTIALISMThe teacherThe teacher Emphasizes individual choice.Emphasizes individual choice.

Teaching strategiesTeaching strategies Stress individual freedom, Stress individual freedom,

empowerment of students to make empowerment of students to make choices about what and how they will choices about what and how they will learn.learn.

The studentThe student Is an individual who gains meaning Is an individual who gains meaning

from within.from within.14

The curriculumThe curriculum Stresses the arts and literature. Stresses the arts and literature. Has little emphasis on math and Has little emphasis on math and

science.science.

Classroom managementClassroom management Emphasis on freedom to do as Emphasis on freedom to do as

student pleases in the classroom.student pleases in the classroom.

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PRAGMATISMPRAGMATISMThe teacherThe teacher Applies democratic methods.Applies democratic methods. Classroom is a community of Classroom is a community of

learners.learners.

Teaching strategiesTeaching strategies Encourage problem solving.Encourage problem solving. Democratic procedures. Democratic procedures.

The studentThe student Learns by engaging in activity first-Learns by engaging in activity first-

hand.hand. 16

CurriculumCurriculum Emphasizes concrete experiences.Emphasizes concrete experiences. Emphasis on the three Rs in Emphasis on the three Rs in

elementary school.elementary school.

Classroom managementClassroom management Classroom rules are established by Classroom rules are established by

the class in democratic fashion.the class in democratic fashion.

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THEORIES OF THEORIES OF EDUCATIONEDUCATION

The various philosophies led to the The various philosophies led to the development of theories of development of theories of education:education: ExperimentalismExperimentalism ProgressivismProgressivism Social ReconstructionismSocial Reconstructionism PerennialismPerennialism EssentialismEssentialism

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ExperimentalismExperimentalism

Comes from pragmatic theory;Comes from pragmatic theory; Tests ideas through Tests ideas through

experimentation;experimentation; Emphasizes experience and child-Emphasizes experience and child-

centered activities;centered activities; Stresses final product;Stresses final product; Promotes firsthand experience.Promotes firsthand experience.

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Progressivism Progressivism

Is based on the belief that all people Is based on the belief that all people are benevolent and that by using are benevolent and that by using human intellect in combination with human intellect in combination with the scientific method, the world the scientific method, the world would be improved.would be improved.

William Heard Kilpatrick, a follower William Heard Kilpatrick, a follower of Dewey, synthesized Dewey’s of Dewey, synthesized Dewey’s experimentalism with progressivism experimentalism with progressivism and developed a “project method”.and developed a “project method”.

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He suggested four different types He suggested four different types of projects.of projects. The creative project:The creative project: Ss design Ss design

plan// Acting out a play.plan// Acting out a play. The enjoyment project:The enjoyment project:

Cultivating aesthetic experiences.Cultivating aesthetic experiences. The problem project:The problem project: Gender Gender

discrimination solved// Ss using discrimination solved// Ss using intellect.intellect.

The specific learning project:The specific learning project: Acquisition of knowledge and Acquisition of knowledge and skills// Swimming or playing golf.skills// Swimming or playing golf.

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Social ReconstructionismSocial Reconstructionism

Has its roots in progressivism;Has its roots in progressivism; Ss study their own culture, finding Ss study their own culture, finding

the major causes of problems the major causes of problems (poverty or war) and resolving them;(poverty or war) and resolving them;

Teachers utilize problem solving and Teachers utilize problem solving and divergent thinking;divergent thinking;

Remedies for solutions to social Remedies for solutions to social problems are probed.problems are probed.

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PerennialismPerennialism Based on the philosophy of realism;Based on the philosophy of realism; A traditional and conservative view;A traditional and conservative view; Follows the beliefs of Aristotle;Follows the beliefs of Aristotle; Insights into art, history, literature, Insights into art, history, literature,

math, and science can be passed from math, and science can be passed from one generation to the next;one generation to the next;

A perennialist teacher is a reader and A perennialist teacher is a reader and writer and Ss do the same;writer and Ss do the same;

Goals of learning: Acquire organized Goals of learning: Acquire organized knowledge, develop intellectual skills, knowledge, develop intellectual skills, and an enlarged understanding of ideas and an enlarged understanding of ideas and values.and values.

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Essentialism Essentialism Very traditional and conservative;Very traditional and conservative; In direct opposition to progressive education;In direct opposition to progressive education; Teacher should be well trained in his discipline;Teacher should be well trained in his discipline; American Ss performed poorly in math and American Ss performed poorly in math and

science;science; Lashed out at social promotions for Ss;Lashed out at social promotions for Ss; In the 1970s, essentialist movement resurfaced In the 1970s, essentialist movement resurfaced

as the as the back-to-basic back-to-basic movement;movement; Ss should be trained in history, science, math, Ss should be trained in history, science, math,

literature, language, art and other disciplines.literature, language, art and other disciplines.

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Now, essentialism is rigorous;Now, essentialism is rigorous; There is a push for national There is a push for national

standards for teachers and Ss;standards for teachers and Ss; US is lagging behind other nations US is lagging behind other nations

due to a lack of standards in the due to a lack of standards in the schools.schools.

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THEORIES OF EDUCATION AND THEORIES OF EDUCATION AND THEIR CLASSROOM THEIR CLASSROOM

APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONSEXPERIMENTALISMEXPERIMENTALISM

The teacherThe teacher Encourages students to test ideas Encourages students to test ideas Develops rapport with studentsDevelops rapport with students Play is encouraged for both Play is encouraged for both

cooperation and competitioncooperation and competition

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Teaching strategiesTeaching strategies Use hands-on activitiesUse hands-on activities Place emphasis on problem solvingPlace emphasis on problem solving Include integrated instructionInclude integrated instruction

The studentThe student Is encouraged to question ideasIs encouraged to question ideas

The curriculumThe curriculum Stresses scienceStresses science Places emphasis on Places emphasis on

interrelatednessinterrelatedness27

Classroom managementClassroom management Dialogue is encouraged between Dialogue is encouraged between

student and teacher regarding student and teacher regarding student behaviorstudent behavior

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PROGRESSIVISMPROGRESSIVISM

The teacherThe teacher Assists rather guides learningAssists rather guides learning Places emphasis on intrinsic rather Places emphasis on intrinsic rather

than extrinsic rewardsthan extrinsic rewards Is more sensitive to student needs Is more sensitive to student needs

than academic subject matterthan academic subject matter Follows lead of students as to what Follows lead of students as to what

should be taughtshould be taught

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Teaching strategiesTeaching strategies Incorporate projects planned, Incorporate projects planned,

developed, and carried out by studentsdeveloped, and carried out by students Stress aesthetics of learningStress aesthetics of learning Stress cooperative learningStress cooperative learning

The studentThe student Is self-directed in learningIs self-directed in learning

The curriculumThe curriculum Stresses skills attainmentStresses skills attainment Places emphasis on the arts and the Places emphasis on the arts and the

aesthetics of learningaesthetics of learningClassroom managementClassroom management Liberal classroom discipline with Liberal classroom discipline with

students given lots of freedomstudents given lots of freedom

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Social ReconstructionismSocial Reconstructionism

The teacherThe teacher Is a liberal thinker;Is a liberal thinker; Challenges the established rules of the Challenges the established rules of the

school district.school district. Teaching strategiesTeaching strategies

Encourage Ss to address and attempt to Encourage Ss to address and attempt to solve social problems;solve social problems;

Stress experimentation and problem Stress experimentation and problem solving.solving.

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The StudentThe Student Needs to study his or her Needs to study his or her

own culture;own culture; Is encouraged to be Is encouraged to be

divergent thinker.divergent thinker. The CurriculumThe Curriculum

Is heavily multicultural;Is heavily multicultural; Places emphasis on social Places emphasis on social

issues.issues.

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PerennialismPerennialism The TeacherThe Teacher

Emphasizes searching for the truth and Emphasizes searching for the truth and realization;realization;

Places emphasis on the good, true, and Places emphasis on the good, true, and beautiful;beautiful;

Is avid reader and writer.Is avid reader and writer. Teaching StrategiesTeaching Strategies

Stress the great works of literature, math, art, Stress the great works of literature, math, art, music;music;

Didactic learning of concepts;Didactic learning of concepts; Coaching of skills;Coaching of skills; Small group discussion using Socratic method.Small group discussion using Socratic method.

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The StudentThe Student Is encouraged to organize, clarify, Is encouraged to organize, clarify,

and connect thoughts to make and connect thoughts to make accurate quantitative comparisons.accurate quantitative comparisons.

The CurriculumThe Curriculum Focuses on the classics in literature;Focuses on the classics in literature; Places emphasis on concept Places emphasis on concept

acquisition in math, science, and acquisition in math, science, and social studies.social studies.

Classroom ManagementClassroom Management Students are expected to behave in a Students are expected to behave in a

rational behavior.rational behavior.

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EssentialismEssentialism The TeacherThe Teacher

Teaches Ss basic skills and knowledge.Teaches Ss basic skills and knowledge. Strives to develop Ss’ higher thinking skills.Strives to develop Ss’ higher thinking skills. Each subject is taught separately.Each subject is taught separately. No social promotions to higher grade level.No social promotions to higher grade level. Competency testing.Competency testing.

Teaching StrategiesTeaching Strategies Incorporate paper and pencil activities.Incorporate paper and pencil activities. Emphasize reading the classics and skill and Emphasize reading the classics and skill and

drill work in math and other subject areas.drill work in math and other subject areas.

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The StudentThe Student Is encouraged to set high Is encouraged to set high

personal goals.personal goals. The CurriculumThe Curriculum

Stresses reading, writing, math, Stresses reading, writing, math, science, and social sciences.science, and social sciences.

Classroom ManagementClassroom Management Time on task is emphasized.Time on task is emphasized. Ss are expected to follow Ss are expected to follow

directions and behave properly.directions and behave properly.

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Four Philosophical Four Philosophical TermsTerms PhilosophyPhilosophy

Love (philo) and wisdom (sophos)Love (philo) and wisdom (sophos) MetaphysicsMetaphysics

The study of the nature of reality, or what The study of the nature of reality, or what is real.is real.

EpistemologyEpistemology The theory of knowing and of knowledge.The theory of knowing and of knowledge.

AxiologyAxiology Is concerned with value.Is concerned with value. Divided into two areas: ethics and Divided into two areas: ethics and

aesthetics.aesthetics.37

LogicLogic Addresses the rules of correct and Addresses the rules of correct and

valid thinking and considers the valid thinking and considers the rules of inference that we use to rules of inference that we use to frame propositions and arguments.frame propositions and arguments. Deductive logic: Reasoning moving Deductive logic: Reasoning moving

from general to particular instances.from general to particular instances. Inductive logic: Reasoning moving Inductive logic: Reasoning moving

from particular instances to from particular instances to generalizations.generalizations.

The End of Chapter 2, FE The End of Chapter 2, FE Semester 1, 2007-08 Semester 1, 2007-08

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