Chapter six examines four philosophies of education—reconstructionism, progressivism, essentialism, and perennialism—with essentialism and progressivism considered to have particular significance to our schools. Throughout our country’s history, essentialism, with its focus on subject matter has been the prevailing philosophy. Progressivism, with the child’s needs and interests as its focus, has also had an impact on educational practices and programs.
With this in mind, clarify your own educational philosophy, with the understanding that your vision will most likely incorporate ideas from more than one philosophy.
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I think it would be very difficult to find yourself in only one category. Education itself is not limited to only one style. The core subjects are usually taught in an essentialist format....teachers throwing out the information and students expected to absorb it. Whereas science is much more of a progressive subject in the approach to teaching because it allows for the students to be actively involved in their learning. I think it is important to have a nice balance between the two styles. There are times when the information needs to be given and absorbed and then times when the active involvement is the best way of learning.
ReplyDeleteI find myself leaning more to the progressive approach because I truly do believe that learning should be a lifelong experience.
I also finding myself incorporating more ideas from the progressive philosophy into my own vision. I really liked Oliva's statement, "To the progressives then, education is not a product to be learned - for example, facts and motor skills - but a process that continues as long as one lives."
ReplyDeleteThe educational philosophy I follow is progressivism. I believe it is important to teach the whole child, physical, emotional, and mental. A child cannot learn effectively if other needs are not being met. One can not effectively learn if he is hungry or has a toothache or is being emotionally abused. Also, progressivism promotes learning as a life-long skill not just while in school.
ReplyDeleteI feel that one of the best things about being an educator is that I get to teach kids about life as well as academics. I take pride in the fact that I am able to teach children about responsibility, teamwork, cooperation, work ethic, choices/consequences, and self-esteem. I love the progressive philosophy because it can be used to increase a child's confidence as well as their attitude towards education and school.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to have this philosophical belief as a teacher because it reminds you each and every day that you are there to serve the children and you need to be mindful of their needs as individuals. From the benefits gained by using the progressive philosophy, the teacher will be able to teach the curriculum with children who sincerely feel confident and have a genuine sense of worth. I have found this type of student-teacher interaction breeds a positive learning environment for both students and teachers alike.
I agree with Judy that it is important to teach the whole child. Personally, I believe that teachers take every opportunity to make the most out of that "teachable moment" and connect with students beyond the assigned curriculum.
ReplyDeleteBJ Lasley
As most, I too would include ideas from a progressivism point of view in my philosopical beliefs. The statement "we learn something new everyday" I believe should hold truth in our society. Education should be an ongoing experience for everyone.
ReplyDeleteAs a special educator, I feel I definitely lean more towards the progressivism philosophy. I feel it's much more important to focus on each student and their needs, rather than the subject area. I believe it's not as significant to teach a subject matter to the masses, as it is to teach to each student on their level.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Lara Wise
The overwhelming consensus from the posts to this point is progressivism. I, too, share this philosophy--perhaps because of my focus on students with disabilities--but I believe I would still hold this view regardless of my instructional background. The primary objective for all of us should be to do what is in the best interest of the students we serve.
ReplyDeleteI too tend to lean toward the progressivism but with education changing the way it is, there will be times when we dip into some of the other philosophies. I believe that we need to teach the whole child and in doing that we have to go beyond the books and curriculum. Education is such an experience and so important to the development of the child that we have to look at different philosophies to make sure we give each student a complete education.
ReplyDeleteRandy Sturgill
It would be very difficult to pick only one of these philosophies of education. I do think we focus too much on essentialism because of the concern with subject matter and testing.
ReplyDeleteGabe Long
In my opinion, progressivism best meets the individual needs of each child. A "one size fits all" philosophy would invariably fail to serve the best educational interests of our students. I have focused on finding a way to reach each child in my classroom from my very first day as a teacher, and I cannot imagine any other philosophy that I could possibly follow.
ReplyDeleteI am most fond of progressivism. It is very important to have children be the center of the school. The children are the reason we are there. Each child has needs that are individual to them. Teachers and administrators need to recognize the needs and make sure those needs are met.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that our philosophies often follow more than one type. As we guide students in learning, we always take on whatever may cause the students to be most successful which again may be included in multiple philosophies.
ReplyDeletePaul Love
I believe that educational leaders should provide for learners’ individual differences and that students should be placed at the center of the learning process.
ReplyDeleteHowever, our schools are driven by the essentialist philosophy of emphasis on basic skills, with classroom drill, programmed instruction, standardized testing and behavioral objectives.
Thus, the most important consideration for the effective school leader is how to provide for individual learning differences in a pluralistic society while meeting the uniform standards by which student success are measured.
My philosophy of education would be that every child will master the skills necessary to live a productive life in society intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially. They will master the necessary skills by having nurturing, caring, stimulating teachers that teach to the whole child so that they will be successful. When looking through the four main philosophies of education, mine mostly follows the ideas of progressivism, but by having standards of learning and the fact that most schools follow the essentialistic approach, as a principal my philosophy of education would be that of an essentialistic progressivist.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Yarber
I believe I would utilize the Essentialism philosophy as a future school leader. Although, I see many benefits of the Progressivism approach; if a student if going to be prepared for college, a vocation and for life, the Essentialism approach would be best for the students of the school.
ReplyDeleteKimberly Ringstaff
I would draw from all philosophies at different times to be an effective administrator. However, for the most part my beliefs align with those of the progressivists.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous comment above posted by Sherry Greer
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sherry, I think an eclectic approach that draws the best from all of the philosophies.
ReplyDeleteJason Matlock