Dan Reed
EDU 200-D
Phi. Of Edu.
10/20/05
My Philosophy of Education
In life it is important to understand who you are as a person, what you believe in and what you hold to be real. These values are important because they dictate what you do in your life as well as how you act and react to situations that you may face. This concept holds no less importance or value in the profession of teaching. Who you are as a person and what you believe in controls what you will be like as a teacher. Your philosophy as a teacher is important because it leads to, among other aspects, exactly how you present yourself, your material and how you develop you students. Figuring out what precisely your personal philosophy is helps you to understand what kind of teacher you want to be.
For the most part there are six main areas of educational philosophy that teachers can fall into. Sometimes a teacher can have one main philosophy that he or she feels suits them perfectly. It is also possible that a teacher may combine two philosophies that they may feel contour better to their beliefs. These six main areas of educational philosophy are perennialism, essentialism, behaviorism, progressivism, reconstructionism, and existentialism. These philosophical areas evolved and broadened from the four classical views of philosophy to shape to the different styles of teachers in today’s schools. Those classical views were idealism, realism, pragmatism and existentialism. These classical philosophies evolved as a result of the changing landscapes of teaching. They had adapted to form the six areas we have come to understand today.
When trying to understand what type of philosophy it is you as a teacher want to categorize and substantially implicate into your teaching, it is important to first find out who you are as a person. What is important to you in life, how you learn best, how you think others learn best and what is real to you are all important questions to ask yourself. For me, I feel I fall into two main philosophies, progressivism and existentialism. Progressivism being the philosophy that says ideas should be tested to find their truths. This philosophy also says the value of questions from students are very important because it leads to learning. Progressivism involves both cross discipline learning and problem solving in its instruction. It states that learning occurs best when students are involved and experiencing ideas for themselves. In relation existentialism says that Self-actualization, or knowing who you are before you can learn, is very important. Free will, free choice and the expression of ones own feelings are also all important aspects of existentialism. I feel like I fall into these two categories for a number of reasons. I have always thought of myself as a free thinker and someone who likes to incorporate a lot of different aspects and experiences into what I do. I enjoy studying those things that I find interesting and engaging. In my classroom I would encourage my students to speak out on their interests, concerns, ideas and comments. As a teacher I would try and find out what it is my students enjoy and feel is important. I would in turn use that information to balance my lessons and curriculum. I would also try to incorporate different subjects into my teaching as well, i.e. history into a philosophy class and visa versa. I would do this to illustrate how a diverse education is important. I feel this way because when you understand different aspects of learning or disciplines it is much easier to relate to and compare certain subjects. This side of my personality I feel is suited well by both existentialism and progressivism. Both categories have aspects of my feelings and beliefs on the abovementioned topics. Another aspect I feel that has driven me to my philosophical beliefs is my own experience in the classroom. I have always felt I have learned much better when I was given the chance to experience and question for myself the material I was being taught. When I am lectured to I certainly retain the material but it is not always easily retrieved when I need it. On the other hand when I experiment, experience, or am involved in someway to what is being taught, I seem to retain the information much better. As a teacher I would like to present my students with a variety of activities that would stimulate them to learn in a different manner than they might be used to. I would want them to be active participants in the classroom and in the work I would be doing with them. I would encourage them to question both what they were being taught, and myself as well as to have the desire to find out more. I think this would create a stimulus that may help them to retain the subject matter in a way they could relate to. These are the reasons I believe I feel so strongly about progressivism as a philosophy of education. I have found that I also believe that the involvement of my philosophies will encourage my students to be more engaged in what they are learning. I feel as if the two philosophies together create excited students who are willing to accept learning and teaching alike. I think that engagement would definitely direct them to participate actively in classroom activities and discussions. I feel that if students have this type of engagement it would make schools and learning both fun and enjoyable for both students and teachers.
Of course aside from my desired two philosophies there are areas of the others I also find appealing. Just because I fall into two main categories does not mean there are aspects of the others I do not find appealing or applicable. Some of these aspects I find useful are that perennialists believe there are everlasting truths in education. Those are the underlying themes that are always constant in learning. I think this is true. Another aspect I can relate to is the concept that behaviorists stress organization. I feel an organized person has a much more clear view of what he or she has to accomplish, whether that be a teacher or student. If you can see what needs to be done it is much easier to complete. A final example of my margins of philosophy is how reconstructionalists preach engagement of change. Change can sometimes be a very good thing. Whether it be changing the landscape of society or changing how something is presented in class. Sometimes switching things up can benefit everyone. But just because I feel these concepts are admirable does not change my true philosophies. As a person and a teacher it is important to make the distinction between what you just agree with and what you truly feel is vital to your life and teaching. It is important to know what you are passionate about. I agree with the fore-mentioned aspects of educational philosophy but I truly feel that progressivism and existentialism suite me much better as a perspective teacher.
As a someday-teacher I feel that if I practice the beliefs of progressivism and existentialism I will be successful. The results of the two philosophies combined, I feel, will create the ideal learning environment for both the instructor and the student. I feel as if my personality, beliefs and overall attitude reflect on the philosophies I have chosen. I also think that my demeanor and attitude will work congruently with those philosophies to make for the best learning situations. This will in turn hopefully result in a successful teaching career as well as successful students.