Educational Philosophies Kelsie, Francisco, Mackenzie

3 Major Educational Philosophies 1.Existentialism 2.Progressivism 3.Social Reconstructionism

Questions Addressed How will these impact; ● classroom design/learning environment ● classroom instruction ● student role/responsibilities ● teacher role/responsibilities ● the curriculum you will teach/strive for ● What are the benefits of this type of philosophy? ● How has this philosophy influenced American Education? ● How does this philosophy support student learning? ● What are issues with implementing this philosophy?

Existentialism The primary emphasis of this theory is on the whole individual. Meaning that a teaches goes further than math, science, english, etc. And helps the students understand that all of these subjects can be applied to life. They help the student realize that the choices in education are their own. However, they also hold the students accountable for their choices. The teacher becomes a role model for the students.

The Details Benefits: Promotes self confidence and self discovery. Increases a student's sense of self. Students Expectations become the reality of their own education. Influence: A. S. Neill and Maxine Greene are some of the most well-known proponents of this philosophy. Greene argues with critics who say that it allows students to run free and out of control by stating that “freedom has rules that allow others to be free as well.” How does this support student learning: It put learning and the choices associated with education in the Students’ court. It gives Students the freedom to make their own decisions, but holds them accountable of their actions. It gives students a passion for their own education, which has had amazing results. Issues: Some of the issues with this philosophy are classroom management and discipline. Another issue that may arise is progress because learning with this theory is student-directed and self-paced. Relationship to Flipped Classroom: Allows students to take the initiative and develop a passion for their education. Students have to have dedication to both ideas and philosophies. They go hand in hand when it comes to making a student’s education their own.

Existentialism in Action Alexander Sutherland Neill founded the Summerhill School in The school is based on Neill’s principle, “The function of a child is to live his own life—not the life that his anxious parents think he should live, not a life according to the purpose of an educator who thinks he knows best.” This school in still active in Suffolk, England. ●The students are allowed to attend classes as they please, and all lessons are optional ●School rules and discipline are both determined democratically, with students having the same voting rights as staff members. ●Proponents of the school argue that this freedom allows for classes to be more rigorous. ●Students learned more quickly and deeply because they were intrinsically motivated, learning by choice, rather than to earn extrinsic results. Critics of the school argue that the perceived lack of structure ill-equips students for the “real world.” However, advocates argue that because students are expected to be in control of their own lives at the school while playing an active role in a functioning, democratic community, students leave the school with a high degree of empathy, maturity, and ability to think critically.

Progressivism ● This is a “student-centered philosophy of education that focuses on a curriculum of interests to students.” ● “endorses experiential learning full of opportunities for student discovery and problem solving” ● Constructivism and Pragmatism both build onto Progressivism

Impact Used for our school; ● Classroom instruction; based on cooperative learning ● Student role; kids will need to be self-motivated and have problem solving skills ● Teacher role; teachers will need to be encouraging ● Curriculum; will be interactive and hands on

More Precisely… ● Benefits of Progressivism o Children get to learn through experience, and are actually interested o Hands on learning, multi-age classrooms, cooperative groups, and relationship between teacher and students (taking differences into account) ● Influences on American Education o Elementary schools, private schools, and wealthier communities adopted this idea more; Others took bits and pieces ● Support of Student Learning o Research has proven progressive education to be beneficial many times ● Issues Implementing o Some schools cannot afford materials o Not fully supported due to possible taxes or not enough discipline

Social Reconstructionism Education that will change society. Social reconstructionism is set to eliminate and or move past bias/ prejudice through the education of students provided by schools. It is through social reconstructionism that social change can become a possibility. In the end, everyone will benefit from such change.

The work of social reconstructionism ● Classroom instruction; Should involve cooperative learning, problem solving, critical thinking, group work. ● Student role; Address the class with worldwide social issues, & have an opinion from such issue. ● Teacher role; Instruct null curricula/ morals. Emphasize less on the aspect of management and or control, yet focus further on community building. ● Curriculum; Work for “equality”

In depth ● Benefits of Social Reconstructionism o Students have the opportunity to engage in worldwide problems, and explore possible solutions o Encourages; group work, reasoning, persuasive communication among students o Create a more just society ● Influences on American Education o “ George Counts, influenced by the Great Depression, wrote a book in 1937 called ‘Dare The schools Build a New Social Order?’ that encouraged schools to use the classroom as a platform to reform society on the ideas of social issues”. ● Support of Student Learning o understanding not to settle for “what is”, but furth push for what “might be” ● Issues Implementing o If faculty should refuse to take a stand on a given issue, it will discourage the studnts to take a stand as well

Overview of How These Influence Our Classroom ● Classroom design/learning environment o Students in groups or 3 or 4; Social Reconstructionism o Peer Problem Solving, Student Responsibility; Existentialism ● Classroom instruction o Cooperative Learning (Kagen); Progressivism ● Student role/responsibilities o Self-motivated, problem solving; Progressivism o Freedom to make own choices; Existentialism ● Teacher role/responsibilities o Morals; Social Reconstructionism o Encourager/Coach; Progressivism o Role Model; Existentialism ● The curriculum you will teach/strive for o Interactive; Progressivism o Social change; Social Reconstructionism o Self-Discovery; Existentialism

How this Connects to Mini Project 1 1.Existentialism; Tabula Rasa (learn through experience) 2.Progressivism; believed in by John Dewey 3.Social Reconstructionism; can include flipped classroom ideas

Resources Powell S. D. (2015). Your Introduction to Education: Explorations in Teaching (3rd Ed.). Boston: Pearson Images ructionism