1. Educational Philosophy: The Intellectual Foundations of American Education
EDUC Chapter 7

2. What is Philosophy?
The investigation of causes and laws underlying reality
Inquiry into the nature of things based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods
A system of values by which one lives
Reflection Question: What is your system of values by which you live?

3. Example Educational Philosophy
“The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their life.”
As a dedicated educational professional, my role is to empower students to take ownership of their learning experience. I will teach them tools to use that will help them understand, to be productive, to encourage them to continually question things and think for themselves. It is my goal to have students become life long learners.
How will I do this:
I will maintain consistent and fair classroom management polices
Student will have personal responsibility to fully participate
I will plan purposeful and engaging classroom activities and assignments.

4. Educational Philosophy
A philosophy about education requires systematic, critical thinking about educational practice.
A teacher’s educational philosophy helps the educator interpret, find meaning, and direct the daily work of the classroom

5. Philosophy and Teacher Professionalism
All professions have philosophical underpinnings.
Educational philosophy is one important aspect of teacher’s professional knowledge.

6. Basic Philosophies of Education
Perennialism
Essentialism
Progressivism
Social Reconstructionism
Learning Theories that impact Philosophies
Behaviorism
Constructivism
Humanistic Psychology
Cognitive Psychology

7. Perennialism
An educational philosophy suggesting that nature, including human nature, is constant.
Focus of education should be the ideas that have lasted over the centuries
Roots in both Idealism and Realism
Rigorous intellectual curriculum for all students, classic works
One should teach things that one deems to be of everlasting importance to all people everywhere

8. Essentialism
An educational philosophy suggesting that a critical core of knowledge and skills exists that all people should possess
Roots in Idealism and Realism
Back to basics movements
Standards, testing, cultural literacy
What is essential can change
Children should learn the traditional basic subjects and these should be learned thoroughly and rigorously.

9. Progressivism
An educational philosophy emphasizing curricula that focus on real-world problem solving and individual development.
Roots in Pragmatism
John Dewey
Progressivism Example -21st Century Skills
Focus on development of cognitive skills that student will need to survive and succeed in a rapidly changing technological world.
Analytical
Communication
Technology
Teachers are encouraged to used open ended questions and problem solving techniques

10. Social Reconstructionism
Schools and teachers should take the lead in addressing social problems and improving society
Schooling should be used to eliminate social inequalities by creating a more just society.
Criticized for abandoning intellectual pursuits and using schools for political purposes

11. Behaviorism
Behaviorism is a theory of animal and human learning that only focuses on objectively observable behaviors and discounts mental activities. Behavior theorists define learning as nothing more than the acquisition of new behavior.
Used by teachers when they reward (reinforce) or punish behaviors
Examples: reward systems, grades, money

12. Constructivism
Learners make sense of their experiences and actively construct their own understanding
Piaget
Guided discovery, problem solving focus

13. Humanistic Psychology
Emphasizes the growth and needs of the whole person
Social, emotional, intellectual growth

14. Cognitive Psychology Focus is on how the mind of the individual works
Mind is like a computer
Explains how body of information is learned
Suggest strategies to improve processing & memory
Gather
Organize
Store
Retrieve

15. Standards and Essential Knowledge
The current emphasis on standards is based largely on essentialism, the belief that there is a critical core of knowledge all students should master.
Advocates of standards (and essentialism) believe that the major role of schools should be to ensure that all students master a core of knowledge.
Critics of standards (and essentialism) respond that most of this crucial knowledge is learned through rote memorization, soon becoming forgotten or inert, and fails to influence students’ current or future lives.

16. Developing Your Philosophy of Education
Philosophy can guide practice and help you explain and defend your educational goals.
The process of developing a philosophy begins with examining your own beliefs about teaching, learning, and students.
An analysis of educational philosophies can assist teachers in forming their own personal, and probably eclectic, personal philosophy.