Running head: PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy of Education

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Philosophy of Education

Purpose of Education

The existing views on the purpose of education are credited to American philosopher,

psychologist, and educational reformer John Dewey. According to Nicholson (2016), Dewey

states that education purposes to transfer knowledge and impact social transformation in the

learners. However, Dewey’s opinion has been viewed as inadequate in the 21st century. As

Nicholson (2016) expounds, the modern society is highly competitive and dynamic. In this

respect, education serves the purpose of preparing children to compete in the global

environment. With the current changes in the global environment, Nicholson (2016) deliberates

that education serves two purposes. Firstly, education trains individual children in a manner that

supports their interests and needs. This purpose addresses the deliberations of the theory of

cognitive development. Secondly, education serves as a tool for social transformation and

reconstruction in a society aligned with democratic ideas. This view agrees with Dewey’s

deliberations on education and closely follows the theory of human development.

How Young Children Learn Best

Young children differ significantly from adults in the way they learn. According to Nicholson

(2016), children learn holistically. This view implies that they learn from their surroundings.

However, active learning has been suggested as the best learning method for children. According

to Nicholson (2016), active learning emanated from the ideas of Reginald William Revans who

believed that students learn best by being involved actively in the learning process. Active

learning entails activities like class discussions, debates, simulations, reaction to videos, and
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gallery walk. Additionally, active learning allows the children to connect their learning and

development process with their environment.

Role of the Teacher

In the contemporary world, there are differing views on the proper role of teachers. A significant

percentage of the society think that the role of the teacher is to transfer knowledge to the

students. However, Craig and Deretchin (2011) outline that a teacher serves multiple roles in the

learning and development of children. According to Craig and Deretchin (2011), the role of the

teacher is to facilitate the learning and development process of a child by issuing instructions,

directions, and creating a conducive environment. With the constructivist theory stating that

humans construct knowledge and meaning from their experiences, teachers are instrumental in

enabling children to advance knowledge.

Ideal Learning Environment

According to Craig and Deretchin (2011), the key role of a teacher is to create an ideal learning

environment. An ideal learning environment is the one that caters both for the physical and

psychological needs of the students. As Craig and Deretchin (2011) elaborate, this environment

accepts the idea that all children can learn and provides a safe learning space for students.

Furthermore, an ideal learning environment has knowledgeable teachers who align their

instructions with the needs of the students.

Personal and Professional Goals

The value of an act is measured by its contribution to a goal. Teachers have personal and

professional goals. According to Throop and Castellucci (2015), a personal goal is a private

target or commitment that an individual wants to achieve. On the other hand, professional goals
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are targets that people want to attain in their careers. Examples of professional goals include

improving performance metric and gaining promotion. According to Throop and Castellucci

(2015), motivational theories confirm that goals make people work hard and smart. However,

teachers should ensure that their personal goals do not conflict with their professional ones as it

leads to poor performance and career dissatisfaction.

References
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Craig, C. J., & Deretchin, L. F. (2011). Cultivating Curious and Creative Minds: The Role of

Teachers and Teacher Educators, Part 2. Toronto: R&L Education.

Nicholson, D. W. (2016). Philosophy of Education in Action: An Inquiry-Based Approach.

London: Routledge.

Throop, R. K., & Castellucci, M. B. (2015). Reaching Your Potential: Personal and

Professional Development. Wadsworth: Cengage Learning.