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

1.

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.

2.

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.
1. 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 functionto 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.

Personal Teaching
Philosophy

A Personal Teaching
Philosophy
A statement of beliefs and attitudes relative to:
purpose of education & role of teacher
definition of teaching
nature of pedagogy
inquiry
constructivism
lab work

-- lab work
-- home work
-- enrichment

student learning & assessment

knowledge

-- expository
-- cooperative
-- discussion
-- skills

-- dispositions

classroom atmosphere
management
individualistic

-- engagement
-- competitive

-- disabilities
-- 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.