Introduction to TeachingIntroduction to Teaching

William Allan Kritsonis, PhDWilliam Allan Kritsonis, PhD

Please silence all phones and pagers.Please silence all phones and pagers.

Field Experience

How did it go?

Articles• Article – 10 points• Format – 10 points• Introduction – 20 points• Body – 30 points• Conclusion – 20 points• Grammar – 10 points

Articles• “This report was very eye-opening.”• “This surprised me because…”• “I support this article and agree

on…”• “Even though I feel the study was

unfair, I can still understand…”

Philosophy: a study of theories of knowledge, truth, existence, and

good

Theory: a set of related principles that are based on observation and

are used to explain additional observations

Philosophy of education: provides a framework for thinking about

educational issues, and it guides professional practice

How do I get one???

Teachers acquire a philosophical framework to

guide their practice by becoming knowledgeable

and reflective, which allows them to make professional decisions that promote as

much growth in their students as possible.

Traditional Schools of Philosophy

• 4 cohesive philosophies on which most educational decisions are based:– Idealism– Realism– Pragmatism– Existentialism

IdealismPlato, Greek Philosopher

• A traditional philosophy asserting that, because the physical world is constantly changing, ideas are the only reliable form of reality

Idealism and Teaching• Socratic method: questioning• Believe that teaching and learning

should focus on ideas. Teachers provide guidance by helping students become more precise and logical thinkers

• Criticized for being cold because it emphasizes the rational and logical over other dimensions of the human experience.

RealismAristotle, Greek

Philosopher• Holds that the features of the universe

exist whether or not a human being is there to perceive them

• There are important ideas and facts that must be understood and they can only be understood by studying the material world

Realism and Teaching• Curriculum emphasizes essentials like

math, science, reading, and writing• Teachers emphasize observation,

experimentation, and critical reasoning• De-emphasize feelings and other

personal factors• Criticized for failing to take the whole

person into account in the learning process

PragmatismJohn Dewey, American

Philosopher• A traditional philosophy that

rejects the idea of absolute, unchanging truth, instead asserting that truth is what works

Pragmatism and Teaching

• Experience and problem solving are key ideas

• More hands-on, concrete experiences than lecture

• Interdisciplinary problem solving• Criticized for emphasizing student

interests too strongly at the expense of essential knowledge

ExistentialismSartre, French

Philosopher• A traditional philosophy suggesting that

humanity isn’t part of an orderly universe; rather, individuals create their own realities in their own unique way

• View humanity as meaningless on a small, isolated planet in an uncertain universe where nothing is determined

Existentialism and Teaching

• Places primary emphasis on the individual. We teach a child, not math.

• Education is an individual’s search for personal understanding, not something to be tested on

• Learner-centered and nondirective approach

• Criticized for impossibility of total freedom in a society with rules

Schools of Philosophy• Idealism: A traditional philosophy asserting

that, because the physical world is constantly changing, ideas are the only reliable form of reality

• Realism: Holds that the features of the universe exist whether or not a human being is there to perceive them

• Pragmatism: A traditional philosophy that rejects the idea of absolute, unchanging truth, instead asserting that truth is what works

• Existentialism: A traditional philosophy suggesting that humanity isn’t part of an orderly universe; rather, individuals create their own realities in their own unique way

Which is closest to your beliefs as a student? A parent? A teacher? Discuss in your groups.

Philosophies of Education

• Perennialism• Essentialism• Progressivism• Postmodernism

Perennialism• An educational philosophy suggesting

that nature, including human nature, is constant

• Believe in rigorous intellectual curriculum for all students

• The extent to which students find their studies relevant isn’t crucial

• Criticized for being elitist

Essentialism• An educational philosophy suggesting

that there is a critical core of information that all people should possess.

• Back to the basic skills and academic subjects. Students should be able to master these subjects

• Criticize interdisciplinary teaching

Progressivism• An educational philosophy emphasizing

curricula that focus on real-world problem solving and individual development

• Hands-on, learner-centered, teacher as facilitator

• Also criticized for focusing too much on the child’s personal interest

Postmodernism• An educational philosophy that

contends that many of the institutions in our society, including schools, are used by those in power to control and marginalize those who lack power

• Study events from the view of the marginalized party’s perspective

©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Which most accurately describes your views of education, from the perspective of a real teacher? Comment on your paper.

Let’s watch the DVD segment referred to on

page 203.

Read pages 204-207 and create your own Philosophy of Education Statement. Be

sure to use philosophy names.

It should be typed, double spaced with standard fonts

and margins. Length is up to you, but less than one page

is not recommended.Exit: There is nothing more to turn in, but you need to stay until you have a handle on how to begin your paper.