Realism And Its Place In The Education System

What is Realism? Realism believes in the world as it is. It is based on the view that reality is what we observe. It believes that truth is what we sense and observe and that goodness is found in the order of the laws of nature.

Realism’s history Realism is a reaction against curricula consisting of studies that have become bookish or abstract. Focus on “things” rather than words or ideas According to Realism the external world of objects is not imaginary. The realistic movement in education started from the 16th century.

Realists Believe... Realists believe that the world we see is what is real Realists believe in the present life Realists see the need to distinguish between “appearance” and “reality”

Realists Believe... Knowledge is real and people have the obligation to obtain it Reality exists independently of observers There is an objective reality apart from what is perceived in an individual’s conciousness

Key players Classical Realists Aristotle ( B.C.) Thomas Aquinas ( ) Modern Realists Francis Bacon ( ) John Locke ( )

Aristotle “Because humans are the only creatures endowed with the ability to think, their purpose is to use this ability” Aristotle’s Golden Mean: “The person who follows a true purpose leads a rational life of moderation, avoiding extremes: the extremes of too little or too much”

Thomas Aquinas Studied Aristotle’s work while in Naples and tried to reconcile Aristotle’s philosophy with Christian Doctrines Found that the highest good comes through thinking

Thomas Aquinas Through learning and acquiring knowledge, we are able to know God better A teacher can only point in the direction of knowledge for the student, the student must think and learn on their own Teaching is a way to serve humankind and do God’s work “Leading the student from ignorance to enlightenment is one of the greatest services on person can give to another”

Francis Bacon Believed “Knowledge is Power” Science must be concerned with inquiry and not preconceived notions

John Locke Mind at birth is a tabula rasa All knowledge and ideas are from outside of the mind, gathered through experience Children are not born with innate knowledge or understanding

Maria Montessori Children need only guidance to learn about the world around them Teacher as the facilitator Learning about the real world through images of real things

Application to the classroom Schools exist to reveal the order of the world and universe Students are taught factual information about the tangible objects of the world Schools should teach students general knowledge about the world around them rather than specific trade or vocational tools

Application to the classroom Learning must be organized and systematic, as in nature Curriculum must be practical and useful Use “real” objects or pictures of “real” objects in the classroom (Maria Montessori) Teachers can only guide students to knowledge Teachers must teach students what they need to survive

Application

ODE “The criteria that we used to develop the college- and career-readiness standards, as well as these K-12 standards are”: Aligned with college and work expectations; Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high- order skills; Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards; Informed by top-performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and, Evidence and/or research-based.

Discussion What are some positive effects of using only the realist theory in the classroom? What are some of the negative effects? What are some realist methods you could introduce into your classroom or what methods do you already use? Do the ODE standards you are familiar with support the realism ideology?