What is your Philosophy?

Why is Philosophy Important How we deliver curriculum is developed around our prevailing thoughts and beliefs Important to recognize the role our philosophy plays in determining our views

Prevailing Schools of Thought Perennialism Essentialism Progressivism Reconstructionism Existentialism

Perennialism Believes one should teach things that one deems to be of everlasting importance to all people everywhere Believes that the most important topics develop a person. Since details of fact change constantly, these cannot be the most important. Therefore, one should teach principles, not facts. Since people are human, one should teach first about humans, not machines or techniques. Since people are people first, and workers second if at all, one should teach liberal topics first, not vocational topics. A particular strategy with modern perennialists is to teach scientific reasoning, not facts.

Essentialism Believe there is a critical core of information and skills that an educated person must have William Bagley, 1930s in response to student centered education Teacher is the expert in the essentialist classroom Student role to listen and learn

Progressivism Beliefs that education must be based on the principle that humans are social animals who learn best in real-life activities with other peoplehumanssocial animals Claim to rely on the best available scientific theories of learning. Most progressive educators believe that children learn as if they were scientists, following a process similar to John Dewey's model of learning:John Dewey Given this view of human nature, a progressivist teacher desires to provide not just reading and drill, but also real-world experiences and activities that center on the real life of the students. A typical progressivist slogan is "Learn by Doing!"

Reconstructionism Emphasizes social questions and a quest to create a better society and worldwide democracy. Highlight social reform as the aim of education. Theodore Brameld ( ) was the founder of social reconstructionism, in reaction against the realities of World War II. See education as the means of preparing people for creating this new social order. Curriculum focuses on student experience and taking social action on real problems, such as violence, hunger, international terrorism, inflation, and inequality.

Existentialism Emphasizes the uniqueness and freedom of the individual person against the herd, the crowd, or the mass society. Emphasizes individual responsibility, individual personality, individual existence, and individual freedom and choice. Hold the belief that life’s most important questions are not accessible to reason or science. The only certainty for existentialists is death. In the existentialist world, each person is born, lives, chooses his or her course, and creates the meaning of his or her own existence.

To which do you Subscribe? Which philosophy do you believe is the most beneficial for our society?

Quiz

Report Your Findings What surprised you most? Can teachers with competing philosophies work in the same grade/team/department? What is the philosophy of NC? What is the philosophy of your school?

Conclusion Why is it important to clearly define our philosophy?