July 7th Philosophies of Teaching power point Class Discussion of personal philosophies Turn in philosophy paper Course evaluation Break Video option Philosophies of Teaching power point Class Discussion of personal philosophies Turn in philosophy paper Course evaluation Break Video option

Philosophical Foundations

What is philosophy? Philosophy is a set of ideas about the nature of reality and about the meaning of life Ideas about being, knowledge, and conduct have evolved over time Philosophy is a set of ideas about the nature of reality and about the meaning of life Ideas about being, knowledge, and conduct have evolved over time

What does it have to do with you as a teacher? The philosophy of the school leads parents and students to make decisions on what educational outcomes are valued at the school Philosophies influence and direct how one engages in their everyday experiences The philosophy of the school leads parents and students to make decisions on what educational outcomes are valued at the school Philosophies influence and direct how one engages in their everyday experiences

Why should one re-evaluate their philosophies from time to time? The evolution of society may conflict with or cause one’s philosophies to become irrelevant One’s philosophy may not be congruent with one’s environment –The way schooling works in Arrowhead may not be very effective at Riverside The evolution of society may conflict with or cause one’s philosophies to become irrelevant One’s philosophy may not be congruent with one’s environment –The way schooling works in Arrowhead may not be very effective at Riverside

What are the roots of American educational philosophies? Western philosophies originated with the classical Greeks, who used a systematic method for addressing life’s questions. Greek thinkers divided philosophy into three branches

Three Branches of Philosophy Metaphysics- study of reality Ontology- explores issues related to nature, existence, or being Cosmology- concerned with the nature and origin of the cosmos, or universe Epistemology- concerned with the nature of knowledge of how we come to know things Scientific Inquiry Intuition Senses & Feelings Inductive logic Deductive logic Axiology- seeks to ascertain what is of value Ethics- explores issues of morality and conduct Aesthetics- concerned with beauty

Our education has its roots in these philosophies IDEALISMREALISMHUMANISM PhilosophersPlatoAristotleErasmus Metaphysics = reality Reality is an unchanging world of perfect ideas and universal truths Reality is observable events, objects, and matter independent of human knowing Reality is also humanity’s creation. People strive for personal meaning in their experience and interpretation of life on earth Epistemology = knowledge Knowledge is obtained when ideas are brought into consciousness through self- examination and discourse Knowledge is obtained when students are taught ideas that can be verified and skills that enable them to know objects they encounter Exploration and questioning, and critical thinking enable students to discover or construct and use knowledge Axiology = values Wisdom of goodness; discipline, order, self-control; preservation of cultural heritage of the past Self-control; clear judgment and rational thought; personal excellence; balance and moderation Knowing and loving God; serving humanity

Modern philosophies which influence western education Existentialism Marxism Behaviorism Cognitivism Pragmatism Perennialism Essentialism Social reconstructionism –Critical Theorists –Postmodern –Feminist Existentialism Marxism Behaviorism Cognitivism Pragmatism Perennialism Essentialism Social reconstructionism –Critical Theorists –Postmodern –Feminist

Non- Western Philosophies which influence American education Hinduism Buddhism Islam African Native American Hinduism Buddhism Islam African Native American