Socially Responsible Teachers:
Rich with Philosophical Heritage

What is Philosophy

Greek word philo which means love and sophie which is wisdom Love of Wisdom.Set of ideas that answer the question about the nature of reality and about the meaning of life?With some questions are commonly asked that are important to a teachers lives :

What is knowledge?

What is worth striving for?

What is just, what is good, right and beautiful?

3 branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics addresses the reality with 2 categories

Ontology examines issues related to nature, or existence or being.

Cosmology is related to nature and origin of the universe.

In education this refers to the knowledge of most worth which is the curriculum.

Epistemology concerned with the nature of knowledge( how we come to know about things, or how we acquire knowledge). We acquire knowledge through our sense, intuition, observation and logic, and the use of scientific method.

It concerned with the methods of teaching or how teaching and learning to be delivered.

Axiology relates to value.

Ethics relates to issue in morality and conduct

Aesthetics concerned with beauty

Relates to behavior, civility, appreciation and expression.

Major Philosophies of Education

Philosophy of Education- set of related beliefs that influence what and how students are taught.Philosophical roots of education

Idealism contends reality lies in the consciousness of our intellect. Idealists believe that:

perfect knowledge of the ideal resides outside humans as an Absolute or as God.

The spiritual essence is permanent element of human nature that gives them the power to think and feel.

Ideas that make up reality existed in the mind of God so that when we know something, it means we have reached our conscious understanding of these ideas.

Idealism envisions schools that are intellectual center of teaching and learning where teachers guide the students to realize their intellectual potential and appreciate the finest and enduring achievement of the culture.

Realism advocates reality outside our minds. Realist believe that:

The objects we perceive exist independently in our mind; that whether or not we perceive these objects, they really exist in these world.

Human man we can know about the real world and that knowledge is a reliable guide to our behavior.

For the Realist, the purpose of education is to teach students about the world in which they live. The most effective way of learning is through the curriculum of organized and classified subject-matter discipline.

3. Pragmatism-this evaluates the truth and ideas according to physical consequences and practical value. It emphasizes the need to test the validity of these ideas by acting on them. The best way to validate is using the scientific method. For pragmatist if something works, it is true.

John Dewey relate education as preparation for life. He believe that the function of education was to enhance human potential to be able to adopt a constantly changing world. Students should be train to construct knowledge as they interact in the world. Students should conduct researches and apply them to the solution of a problem.

Other philosophies and theories related to education

Educational theories are rooted from philosophies, they examine the role and functions of school, curriculum, teaching and learning.

Perennialism - assert that the primary purpose of education is to bring student in contact with the truth by cultivating their intellect and sense of rationality or reasoning power. Proposes study of religion to encourage ethical behavior.

Perennialist urge the students read great books works by the historys finest thinkers and writers. They oppose inclusion of non academic subjects in the curriculum because it defeated the primary purpose of the school which is to developed students intellectually. Rather endorse subject matter curriculum loaded with cognitive subjects that develop rationality and morally.

2. Essentialism- teacher centered philosophy that adheres to the belief that the basic skills of literacy ( reading & writing) and numeracy (arithmetic) as well as subject matter should be developed in school. History, math, science, languages, literature are essential subjects in secondary education and should be mastered to be able to function effectively in the society them to be competent and prepare and skilled individuals.

Teachers must be committed to their primary academic function- to teach knowledge and skills that will prepare them to function effectively and efficiently.

Subject matter curriculum should be cumulative and sequentially arrange, starting from low order thinking skills to more complex higher order level. they adhere mor on teacher-directed instruction

Do not favor innovative or process- learning approaches like constructivism which allows students to construct knowledge base on their experiences. They adhere more on teacher-directed instruction because they believe teachers are trained professionals who should direct the learning of the studets.

3. Progressivism belong to the reform movement that opposes the traditional education. They are against: authoritarian teachers, book-based instruction, rote memorization and authoritarian classroom management.

They contend that although knowledge may come from varied sources, the best way to learn is to explore and engage in direct experiences.

School should be a laboratory for experimentation. Organize schools around the concerns, curiosity and real world experiences of the learners.

Advocate using project method and problem solving which promotes democratic communities in the classroom.

4. Social reconstructionism- rooted on progressivism. They sought to make the school the center for larger social reforms. The school need t investigate and work to solve social, political and economic problems and eventually create a new society.

People are responsible for their social condition, and they have power to control their lives, improve their human conditions and build a good and just society. Education therefore should prepare the students to meet the demands of the society.

5. Existentialism- emphasizes the subjectivity of the human experience. Asserts that the purpose of education is to help students find the meaning and directions of their life.

Jean-Paul Sartre often quoted the phrase existence precede essence. We create our essence by making our personal choices.

We create our own definition and make our own essence by making personal choices in our lives.

A Personal Teaching Philosophy

A Personal Teaching Philosophy

A statement of beliefs and attitudes relative to:

purpose of education & role of teacherdefinition of teachingnature of pedagogy

inquiry-- expository -- lab work

constructivism-- cooperative -- home work

lab work-- discussion -- enrichment

student learning & assessment

knowledge-- skills -- dispositions

classroom atmosphere

management-- engagement -- disabilities

individualistic-- competitive -- cooperative

Sample Belief Statements

The main purpose of education is to develop students' ability to think critically and integrate ideas, rather than to accumulate facts. (Physics isnt important!) Cognitive conflict can fuel the learning process. New information may fit the existing mental structures, and the students can explain the phenomenon..Teaching, as opposed to instructing, is primarily about process. The critical content of any learning experience is the method or process through which learning occurs. The medium is the message.

Why a Personal Teaching Philosophy?

What a teacher believes about both teaching and learning can have a major impact on the classroom environment. Teachers tend to implement classroom practices that reflect their philosophical beliefs.A well-reasoned personal philosophy can provide a basis for appropriate action.

Basic Teaching Philosophies

Basic philosophies span the spectrum from:

traditional and conservative to

contemporary and liberal

Main types include:

Perennialist (emphasis on values)

Essentialist (emphasis on knowledge)

Progressive (emphasis on experiences)

Reconstructionist (emphasis on societal reform)

Idiosyncratic (any combination of the above)

Everyone has a personal teaching philosophy!

Perennialist Teaching Philosophy
(emphasis on values)

Rooted in realism (teacher-centered: 3 Rs and moral and religious training are the hallmark.)Based upon universal knowledge and cherished values of society.Subjects that have stood the test of time are the basis of the curriculum.Universal ideals are the focus of the curriculum -- goodness, truth, beauty.Students minds are sponges designed to soak up knowledge with teachers as unquestionable authorities.

Essentialist Teaching Philosophy
(emphasis on knowledge)

Education seen as a mastery of essential facts and skills -- English, math, science, history, and foreign language (teacher-centered education)Not rooted in the past, but is more concerned with contemporary scene.Like perennialism, rejects art, music, physical education, home making, and vocational ed.Interested in conceptual thought and the principles and theories of subject matter.Teacher is seen as a master -- an authority -- worthy of emulation.

Progressivist Teaching Philosophy
(emphasis on student experiences)

Student-centered educational process.Democracy and education go hand in hand. Learning must include content plus the skills of learning -- problem solving, scientific inquiry, cooperative behaviors, self-regulation -- and memorization is de-emphasized.Curriculum tends to be interdisciplinary.Teaching methods are not based on authority.The teacher is seen as more of a guide than an all-knowing sage.

Reconstructionist Teaching Philosophy
(emphasis on societal reform)

Places more emphasis on society-centered education.Education to be relevant must also include elements of social issues -- pluralism, equality, futurism.Curriculum centers around social, economic, and political issues.Students practice is modeled after society.Teachers are considered prime units of social and political change.

Idiosyncratic Teaching Philosophies

A teacher will rarely cling to a single, identifiable teaching philosophy.Most teachers are somewhat eclectic in the formulation of their teaching philosophies.What is your teaching philosophy?

Your Teaching Philosophy

Course project in personal teaching philosophy.Your philosophy must contain the following:

how students should acquire knowledge (both method and content)

how students should acquire intellectual skills (both method and content)

how students should acquire ideas and values (both method and content)

Be certain to identify your type and elements.Explain how you (will) apply your philosophy in your classroom.