1. Philosophy of Education
Dr. Melissa Radeke
EDU 5115 Foundations of American Education

2. Defining Philosophy
the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group
a discipline comprising as its core logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology
pursuit of wisdom
a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means
Epistemology is the study of knowledge

3. Philosophy of Education
Based on core values and beliefs: culture, religion, family, education, political preferences, personal experiences.
Guides decisions and actions: determining how you teach and what kind of teacher/school leader you are.

4. A philosophy of education is
A statement of your beliefs about the purpose of education, how children and youth develop and learn, and what and how they should be taught.
Quite personal
A representation of who and what you are

5. Roots of Educational Philosophy
Social Reconstructionism
Progressivism
Postmodernism
Essentialism
Behaviorism
Perennialism
Existentialism
Pragmatism
NeoThomism
Realism
Idealism

6. Educational Philosophy
Classical Philosophy
Educational Philosophy
(Theories)
Idealism
Essentialism
Behaviorism
Realism
Perennialism
Neo-Thomism
Reconstructionism
Pragmatism
Progressivism
Postmodernism
Existentialism

7. IDEALISM
A school of philosophy that considers ideas to be the only true reality
Is the belief that ultimate reality is not the world of things seen, but the world of ideas, which constitute the ideal pattern of what the world should be like.
Plato’s eternal truths

8. REALISM
A school of philosophy that holds that reality can be known through but is independent of the senses
Aristotle sought truth not in ideas but in the real world.
Empirical data are an important source of knowledge
The purpose of education is to develop rational thinking.

9. PRAGMATISM
A philosophy that maintains that the value and truth of ideas are tested by their practical consequences.
Emphasizes practicality.
Greek sophists “man is the measure of all things”.
Truth and values are the result of changing and evolving human values.

10. Relationship Between Realism, Idealism, and Pragmatism
Mind
Nature
Body
Experience
Problem
solving
with reason

11. EXISTENTIALISM
A philosophy that emphasizes the necessity for individuals to determine the course and nature of their own lives.
Focuses on the subjectivity of human experience and the importance of the individual.
Proposes that meaning is determined by individuals, not by external criteria.

12. Philosophies of Education
Perennialism
Essentialism
Progressivism
Behaviorism
Social Reconstructionism
Postmodernism

13. The School of Perennialists
The base of education is the common nature of man, wants to cultivate reason and develop children’s intellectual power
Ends of education is absolute and universal
Truth is absolute and universal
The Liberal Arts and Sciences and Classical sources are fountains of truth
Improvement of memory and thinking, intellectual development
Emotions and feelings are excluded from education

14. The School of Essentialists
Basic culture has a common core
Cultural transmission to ensure social solidarity and the general welfare
Basic education: reading, writing, counting, and computing
Concentration on traditional instructional methods
Schools are responsible for providing sound instruction and the authority to demand achievement
Teachers must be liberally educated, morally sound persons
Teachers must be technically skillful in directing the learning process

15. The School of Progressivism
Places emphasis upon HOW to think rather than WHAT to think
Gives the individual the necessary skills and tools with which to interact with a changing environment
Builds around the personal and social experiences of the students
Interdisciplinary curriculum in nature
Uses scientific methods of inquiry and problem solving
Indicates that the learner is capable of thinking and exploring their own needs and interests
Sees the teacher as the guide for the student in his/her problem-solving activities and projects

16. The School of Existentialism
Making own choices and rejecting authority that cannot justify its own existence
Dualism of mind and body, emphasis on mind
An independent physical universe exists, spiritual reality may or may not exist
Tendency toward skepticism, a willingness to acknowledge the possibility of achieving truth
Free to choose own moral standards
Teachers do not moralize, establish number of rules, or humiliate or ridicule pupils
Is also called a “Nonphilosophy”
Its chief educational concern is to free the individual child “to do his or her own thing”

17. Social-Reconstructionism
A philosophy that emphasizes the addressing of social questions and a quest to create a better society and worldwide democracy
Systems must be changed to overcome oppression and improve human conditions.
Education is the means of preparing people for creating a new social order.
Curriculum highlights social reforms as the main of education. Curriculum focuses on student experience and taking social action on real problems, such as violence, hunger, international terrorism, inflation, and inequality.
Strategies for dealing with controversial issues (particularly in social studies and literature), inquiry, dialog, and multiple perspectives are the focus. Community-based learning, bringing the world into the classroom are also strategies.