The philosophy of education, although occasionally controversial, is open to interpretation. It is the general branch of philosophy that is centered around the aims and processes of education. Due to varying practices, cultural significance, social/ethical issues and effects, the topic is subjective and extensive. Philosophers of education often have different definitions of education and different ideas of how it should be achieved. Because this subject is so open, these basic questions can (and should!) be asked when considering the philosophy of and in education :
What is being learned?
What is the benefit of being educated in this subject area?
How should this information or experience be taught?
How does this information or experience affect myself or others?
The definition had of education influences the way these questions are answered, therefore answers to these questions are entirely dependent on the inquirer. Teachers, students, parents, and philosophers all have different opinions of what education means. For instance, some teachers may believe education is merely achieving an understanding of a specific subject matter. Others may understand education to be based on knowledge gained from self-experience.
According to Merriam Webster, the definition of education is the action or process of educating or being educated.
And to the Cambridge English Dictionary: The process of teaching or learning in a school, or the knowledge that you get from this.
Teaching Philosophies:
In the education world, there are five main teaching philosophies. Each philosophy is centered around a different interpretation of education and what it means to the teacher.
Essentialism: Based on the belief that a strict and organized core curriculum exists that every student should learn. Although strict, the curriculum should reflect societal changes.
Perennialism: Based on the belief that there is only one core curriculum.
Progressivism: Based on the belief that student interests should control the curriculum. (John Dewey’s ideas make up the foundation of this philosophy)
Social Reconstructionism: Based on the belief that students should be educated in a way that allows them to positively change society.
Existentialism: Based on the belief that education is meant to give students a sense of self.
John Dewey, best known for his pragmatist approach in education, had à significant impact on the philosophy of education. He introduced the idea of child-centered education; students have unique interests and needs that should be met in different ways. Dewey also argued that the overall purpose of education is growth. However, the definition of growth is left open to interpretation. Personally, I interpret his statement to mean that as long as we are growing in some way, whether that’s personally, socially, or academically, we are learning and therefore being educated.
Socrates also had a substantial impact on education as a whole. Socrates was best known for educating others with words. More specifically, he was known for constructively arguing in order to educate himself and others. If you’ve ever heard of a Socratic seminar, it is important to understand that they’re called such because of Socrates’ method of constructive arguing. If not, a Socratic seminar is when students sit in a circle and constructively argue a topic.
Quiz:
What teaching philosophy did John Dewey contribute to the most?
What philosopher is the Socratic seminar named after?
Discussion Questions:
Which teaching philosophy do you identify most with? Why?
What does education mean to you?
What do you think the purpose of Socratic seminar is?
Trinity Hess, Section 12
Sources:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/education-philosophy/
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780429494864
Your Introduction to Education: Exploration in Teaching, fourth edition, Sara Davis Powell
My Comments:
https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/12/final-report-anna-may-section-11.html?showComment=1575768268774#c6435096636697097369
https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/12/transhumanism-seraphim-sherman-section.html?showComment=1575775362686#c8213584167801158531
Had to fix the formatting...
ReplyDeleteI side with Plutarch (whose view is inscribed next to a bench in the Walnut Grove on our campus): education is not about filling the empty vessel of the student's mind, but lighting the fire of curiosity and passion for learning. That also is fundamentally what Dewey was about.