UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND LIBERAL STUDIES

PROGRAMME: BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (TVET)

MODULE TITLE: FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION
MODULE CODE: EDU1005
YEAR: YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1 (2020/21)
NUMBER OF CREDITS: 3
NUMBER OF HOURS: 45
LECTURER: Dr. Eraldine Williams-Shakespeare (eshakespeare@utech.edu.jm) & Mrs. Anita
Thomas-James (ajames@utech.edu.jm)

1.0 MODULE DESCRIPTION

This module seeks to introduce student teachers to the fundamental principles and practices
in education. Throughout this course student teachers will examine philosophers’ views of
education and educators, the impact of such views on current educational practices in
Jamaica and the wider Caribbean and the implication of these views for teaching and
learning.
2.0 MODULE OBJECTIVES
At the end of the module students should:
1. Discuss key educational concepts.
2. Assess the impact of education on society
3. Evaluate the various philosophies of Education
4. Assess the influence/impact of identified philosophies on educational policies and
classroom practices.

3.0 COURSE SCHEDULE

DATES/WEEKS TOPICS READINGS/ACTIVITIES

WEEK 1 Introduction to Education

August 24 -28  Definition of ‘education’,  Discussion on teaching
‘schooling’, ‘training’ as a profession

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  Purpose of education  Examining the role of
a teacher
 Characteristics of an educated
person

 Definition of teaching
-components of good teaching

 Teaching as a Profession

WEEK 2 Stakeholders in education and their

roles
August 31- Sept 4  Analyzing the roles of
 Teacher, parents, employers, stakeholders in education to
government, professional ascertain their importance
associations

 Professional Associations in
Education: JTA; JTEC; Joint  Comparing schooling
Board; Jamaica Teaching then and now
Council

 Schooling through the ages

- Purposes of schooling

- Who was educated

- Who did the teaching

- What was studied

WEEK 3 Philosophical perspectives  Examining the

relationship between
September 7 -11  What is philosophy the branches of
philosophy and
 Branches of philosophy education
 The role of philosophy in  Developing a personal
education philosophy of
education
 Factors which shape teachers’
philosophy of education Reading: Foundations of
Education by Ornstein and
Levine (2008) Chapter 6, pages
160-163

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WEEK 4 Philosophical perspectives (cont’d)
September 14 - 18  Idealism (Plato, Socrates)
 Implications of idealism for
classroom practice
 Group presentation on
Idealism
Reading: Foundations of
Education by Ornstein and
Levine (2008) Chapter 6, pages
164-166

WEEK 5 Philosophical perspectives (cont’d)

September 21 -25  Realism (Aristotle)
 Implications of Realism for
classroom practice
 Group presentation on
Realism
Reading: Foundations of
Education by Ornstein and
Levine (2008) Chapter 6, pages
166-169

WEEK 6 Philosophical perspectives (cont’d)

September 28-  Pragmatism  Group presentation on
October 2 Pragmatism
 Implications of Pragmatism for
classroom practice (John Reading: Foundations of
Dewey) Education by Ornstein and
Levine (2008) Chapter6, pages
169-173

WEEK 7 School Observation No Classes.

October 7-11
WEEK 8 Philosophical perspectives (cont’d)  Group presentation on
Existentialism
October 5 -16  Existentialism
Reading: Foundations of
 Implications of Existentialism Education by Ornstein and
for classroom practice Levine (2008) Chapter 6, pages
173-174

WEEK 9 Philosophical perspectives (cont’d)

October 12 - 16  Social Reconstructionism  Group presentation on
Reconstructionism
 Implications of Social
Reconstructionism for
classroom practice
Assignment Due: Submission of
Philosophy Paper

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WEEK 10 The 19th is National Heroes day  Group presentation on
Michael Manley and
October 19 - 23 Caribbean Thinkers and their Marcus Garvey
influence on education: For example,
Michael Manley & Marcus Garvey.

WEEK 11 Emergence of Technical Vocational  Examining the growth

Education of Technical
November 2- 6
Vocational education
 History of Technical Vocational
Education: apprenticeship; to ascertain strengths
HEART/NTA Agencies and weaknesses

 The role of the University of

Technology, Jamaica in
Technical Vocational Education IN COURSE TEST 1

 Technical Vocational Education

at the secondary level of the
education system: CXC;
CCSLC; CBET

 National Standard Curriculum

WEEK 12  The role of Technical  Panel discussion on the

Vocational Education in benefits of the
November 9 -13 national development different programmes
introduced at the
Current Trends and Issues in the secondary level of the
Jamaican Secondary Education education system
System
 Discussion of societal
 New paradigms” STEM; factors that contribute
STEAM; STREAM to the development of
Technical and
 ICT integration Vocational Education
 Selected recommendations of
the Task force on education and
their implications

WEEK 13 IN COURSE TEST 2

November 16 -20 REVISION (2 HOURS)

WEEK 14 STUDY WEEK

November 23 - 27

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4.0 LEARNING AND TEACHING APPROACHES
Lecture/discussion
Research and oral presentation
Panel discussion

5.0 ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

Philosophy paper 25%
Group presentation 25%
Test 1 25%
Test 2 25%
Total Evaluation 100%

6.0 BREAKDOWN OF HOURS

Remote – 39 hours
Assessment- 6 hours

7.0 REFERENCES
Ornstein, A. and Levine, D. (2008). Foundations of Education (10th edition). Boston, Haughton
Mifflin Company.
Gutek, G. L. (1997). Philosophical and Ideological Perspectives on Education. Allyn and Bacon
McNergy, R. F. and Herbert J.M. (2001) Foundations of Education. Allyn and Bacon.
Miller, E. ( 1990) Jamaican Society and High Schooling. Institute of Social and Economic
Research

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 FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION (EDU1002) ASSIGNMENTS
Assignment 1: Group (See Course Schedule Above for dates)
In groups of four or five research one of the topics below and prepare a presentation. The
following questions should guide your presentation.
a. What is the purpose of education?
b. What is the role of the learner?
c. What is the role of the teacher?
d. What should be taught?
Presentation topics
1. Idealism 5. Social Reconstructionism
2. Realism 6. Caribbean Thinkers (Michael Manley,
3. Pragmatism Marcus Garvey)
4. Existentialism
NOTE: Your presentation will take place during class time and should last no longer than 30
minutes. Your presentation should reflect substantial research on the topic. Use
examples, references and personal thoughts to illustrate where necessary.
You are to submit a hard copy of your presentation which would entail a more
detailed explanation of the areas researched.

Assignment 2 (Individual) DUE DATE: Week of October 26, 2020

You are required to write an essay outlining your personal philosophy of education. Your essay
should address the following questions.
1. What is the function of philosophy in a teacher’s life? (5 Marks)
2. Based on your own research and personal experience, what do you think should be the
purpose of education? (5 Marks)
3. What do you believe should be the nature of the relationship between teacher and
students? (5 Marks)
4. Explain which of the philosophies studied in this course has influenced the ideas
expressed in your answers to questions two and three (5 Marks).
5. Write your personal philosophy statement.(5 Marks)

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Your essay should be no more than three pages in length, typed double space, size 12
font and with one-inch margins. A reference page should also be included for any work
cited in your text. References should be cited according to APA 6th edition.

Assessment 3 This is comprised of 2 in-course tests.

Updated on August 21, 2020