1. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 1 Chapter 9: Philosophical Foundations of Education in the United States

2. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 2 Focus Questions What is a philosophy of education? What are the four branches of philosophy? How do five prominent philosophies of education affect teaching and learning? How do I begin to develop my personal philosophy of education?

3. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 3 What Is a Philosophy of Education? We all have philosophies that guide our decisions, attitudes, and actions. A deeper set of basic beliefs, conscious or unconscious. Necessitates reflection on circumstan- ces, reactions, assumptions intentions, etc. A teacher’s philosophy of education affects every decision about teaching.

4. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 4 Why Is a Philosophy of Education Important? “Philosophy enters into every important decision about curriculum, teaching, instruction, and testing. The methods and materials a teacher chooses to use in a classroom reflects... philosophy. In short, choices reflect philosophy—and whether we recognize our own philosophy in education, it is out there and it influences our behavior and attitudes in classrooms and schools.” Allan Ornstein (2003)

5. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 5 Teacher- and Student-Centered Approaches

6. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 6 Four Branches of Philosophy

7. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 7 Philosophy Trees The discussion of each philosophy is accompanied by a diagram of a tree. The analogy of a philosophy of education to a tree is appropriate in many ways. The tree trunk represents teaching. The root system is a particular philosophy, or a combination of philosophies, of education providing the strength and foundation of the tree. The branches of the tree represent the work of teachers. Each trunk-attached branch supports smaller branches with plentiful leaves that represent student learning.

8. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 8 Essentialism

9. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 9 Essentialism Purpose of school: to train the intellect and transmit the culture and traditions of American society. Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully participate in a democratic and technological society Students need academic rigor and moral training Curriculum: there is a critical core of knowledge that all students should possess. Education should not permit any frivolous subjects but rather should adhere to sound academic standards and return to “basics” Traditional instructional strategies: lecture, recitation, Socratic dialogue, written assignments, books are most appropriate medium for instruction - moral literacy Classroom management: emphasizes discipline and moral character Assessment: summative, testing – IQ, standardized, CSAP

10. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 10 Perennialism

11. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 11 Perennialism Purpose of life is to search for constant,changeless truth. Education involves confronting the problems and questions that have challenged people for centuries. Purpose of schooling – teach the eternal truths, cultivate the rational intellect. Education is the preparation for life and learning is a lifelong process. Curriculum – Liberal arts: philosophy, math, history geography, physical and life sciences, fine arts, theology. Instructional methods: didactic instruction, coaching, Socratic seminar Classroom Management: Teachers’ responsibility to discipline the student and train the will Assessment: objective, written essay Teacher is authority, student is receptacle

12. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 12 Progressivism

13. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 13 Progressivism Focuses on real-world problem-solving activities in a democratic and cooperative learning environment Purpose of schooling is to encourage cooperation, not competition, and develop problem solving and decision making schools “Learning by doing” Teaching is exploratory rather than explanatory Curriculum: experiential, relevant, reflective, child-centered, integrated, community oriented Assessment: formative, process oriented rather than measurement of outcomes Teacher as facilitator

14. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 14 Social Reconstructionism

15. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 15 Social Reconstruction Education must take the lead in the reconstructing a new and more equitable society The purpose is to critically examine social institutions and prepare students to become agents of change Curriculum emphasizes critical thinking skills, critical theory and critical literacy Instructional methods: problem solving, peer-tutoring, community service Assessment: formative, cooperative, self, peer, parent

16. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 16 Existentialism

17. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 17 Existentialism/Postmodernism There are no eternal truths or universal values. Individuals construct their own knowledge from personal experience The purpose of school is to prepare students for critical citizenship and help students recognize that schools, and all social institutions, are not value free Instructional methods involve critical thinking skills and creating models for questioning and analyzing issues of power Collaborative problem solving Non-threatening and supportive learning environment Classroom management involve individual choice and responsibility Assessment: personal projects, portfolios, self-assessment, teacher evaluation

18. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 18 Brenda’s Philosophy Tree

19. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 19 How Do I Begin to Develop My Personal Philosophy of Education?

20. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 20 Developing Your Personal Philosophy of Education

21. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 21 My Favorite Teachers’ Philosophical Bents

22. Introduction to Education: Choosing Your Teaching Path Sara Davis Powell Copyright ©2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. 22 Concluding Thoughts Thoughtful teachers who are not necessarily swayed by gimmicks and fads, who have basic beliefs about teaching and learning that guide their practice, and who can articulate the bases for decisions are teachers who will positively affect student learning throughout their careers.