Philosophical Foundations of Curriculum

Philosophical Foundations of CurriculumBy: Kelsey Bailey, Tonya Baldwin, and Angela Horne

Our source of direction is found in our guiding philosophy. Without philosophy, {we make} mindless vaults into the saddle and we have a tendency to ride madly off in all directions. William Van Til

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How does philosophy influence curriculum workers?Allen C. Ornstein and Francis P. Hunkins writes in Curriculum Foundations, Principles, and Issues that philosophy is the way we organize our thoughts and interpret facts. It is an effort to understand life----its problems and issues in full perspective. It involves questions and our own point of view as well as the views of others; it involves our defined values and clarifying our beliefs. Therefore, since philosophy is a reflection of our background and experiences, curriculum workers base their decisions on worldviews, attitudes, and their beliefs. Philosophy guides ones action.

In what way is philosophy the main curriculum source?

Watch this video titled To Meet the Demands of a New Age A 21st Century Curriculum Philosophy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6B92pB8WkAfter watching the video, answer this question: In what way is philosophy the main curriculum source?

Respond at: Pollev.com/tonyabaldwin109 Text: TONYABALDWIN109 to 1-747-444-3548

In our opinionWe use our philosophy and beliefs to determine the way we approach curriculum.

In terms of knowledge and values, what are the differences among idealism, realism, pragmatism, and existentialism? Remember we are Kindergarten teachers, so we will break this down to our level of understanding! For us to understand the differences we needANCHOR CHARTS

Idealism

Realism

Pragmatism

Existentialism

The differences would beIdealism and realism are subject based. However, idealism is more traditional with its unchanging values. Realism is more focused on the way people think and reason using their senses. The educational philosophy for idealism and realism would be essentialism. Essentialism promotes intellectual growth of an individual to educate the competent person. Another educational philosophy for realism is perennialism. Perennialism aims to educate the rational person. Pragmatism is very scientific. It is all about a changing environment where the teacher encourages problem solving throughout daily instruction. Progressivism is the educational philosophy and promotes democratic social living. Existentialism promotes self gratification. The learning occurs when personal choices are made on how and what to learn. Rules are viewed to stifle creativity and personal choice. Progressivism is the educational philosophy and works to improve and reconstruct society, to educate for change and social reform.

How are the Educational Philosophies related to the 4 Major Philosophies?

The chart found on page 48 of the Curriculum Foundations, Philosophies, and Issues text was a little confusing. So we broke it down to meet our understanding.

Can schools promote equality and excellence at the same time?It is our opinion that schools hope to promote both equality and excellence but they often fail. It is difficult to keep a fair balance. We say everyone is created equally but do we all learn and excel equally. It is our desire to treat everyone the same but everyone does not learn the same. Example: Mary can write a simple sentence. John can finally recognize the letters in his name. Both attended preschool and have received the same instruction. We are proud of both!

Excellence in Education?A Nation at Risk 1980sNational Goals for Education 1990, 1994, 1998No Child Left Behind 2001Race to the Top 2010

Our thoughtsEqual opportunity does not always lead to equal outcomes. Ornstein and Hunkins writes Some fear that this emphasis on excellence will lead to disappointment; they say it is wrong to assume that increased testing and more course requirements will automatically raise the level of student performance. Students, teachers, and parents must also be motivated , and technical and financial support at the school and district level must be evidenced. Students learn and excel at different rates but they are all able to reach an excellence in their own rights.

Which philosophical orientation is most likely to influence the curriculum field in the future? Why do you think this is so?Tina Barseghian states in Three Trends That Will Shape the Future of Curriculum that anInterest-driven approach will influence the curriculum field in the future. Why? Though students typically have to wait until their third year of college to choose what they learn, the idea of K-12 education being tailored to students own interests is becoming more commonplace. Whether its through Japanese manga art,Lady Gaga, or the sport of curling, the idea is to grab students where their interests lie and build the curriculum around it. She goes on to say that educators should find out what students are passionate about because passion motivates learning.

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2011/02/04/three-trends-that-will-shape-the-future-of-curriculum

Our thoughtsWe feel that in the future existentialism will influence the curriculum field because it is trendy and offers more freedom for students to choose how, what, and when to learn. That does not mean we are totally in favor of this possibility.

Which philosophical orientation appears most contrary to mainstream education?In our opinionExistentialism philosophy appears most contrary to mainstream education because most public school classrooms are over crowded, understaffed, and lack a sufficient budget to meet the needs of this type of curriculum. Existentialism philosophy seems to promote self-centeredness and a lack of compassion toward others.Existentialism allows students to make mistakes without correcting them. Students learn through the process of repeated attempts. Students learn through individual exploration, constructive and creative play and or oral language with stories and songs. www.ecrp.uiuc.edu

Existentialism?Toby Keith says it best in his song Its All About Me. I wanna talk about me, wanna talk about I, wanna talk about #1 oh my me my.

Our ReflectionsKelsey Bailey: I learned that there are some private schools who choose one philosophy to focus on. However, public schools need to focus on all philosophy in order to create a balanced environment for development of each student.Angela Horne: I learned that some schools prefer one major philosophy over another and who knows which one is right. Each year we have a different need base of students. It is my job to get each individuals where they need to be. Personally as a teacher, I need structure. I find that when students are self-centered there is less empathy for other therefore, stifling the sense of community and concern for others. Tonya Baldwin: After reading each of the different philosophies I realize that teachers have to find a balance in what we believe and feel and what is best for our students. If society moves toward Existentialism, I will have a hard time because I also need structure and a lot of it.

ResourcesECRP-Early Childhood Research & Practice (2015) (Volume 17 No.1) Retrieved fromwww.ecrp.uiuc.edu

H. Stephen (2009). To Meet the Demands of a New Age. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6B92pB8Wk

Keith, T. (2012) Its all about me. Hope On the Rocks. [CD], Nashville, TN. Show Dog-Universal Music. Retrieved from www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxUuDPNbkJk

Mind Shift-How We Learn (2011). Three Trends That Will Shape the Future of Curriculum. Retrieved from http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2011/02/04/three-trends-that-will-shape-the-future-of-curriculum

Moment Early Learning (2015). Retrieved from http://www.momentumearlylearning.com/curriculum/philosophy/

Ornstein, Allan C. and Hunkins, Francis P. Curriculum Foundations, Principles, and Issues.

World Press (2012). The HR Caf retrieved from https://thehrcafe.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/horse-ism.jpg