Educational Philosophy:

The Intellectual Foundations of American

Education

ED 1010

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 What is Philosophy?
• The investigation of causes and laws
underlying reality
• Inquiry into the nature of things based on
logical reasoning rather than empirical
methods
• A system of values by which one lives

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 Educational Philosophy
• A philosophy about education requires
systematic, critical thinking about
educational practice.
• A teacher’s educational philosophy
helps the educator interpret, find
meaning, and direct the daily work of
the classroom

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 Philosophy and Teacher
Professionalism
• All professions have philosophical
underpinnings.
• Educational philosophy is one
important aspect of teacher’s
professional knowledge.

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 Traditional Schools of Philosophy
Educational Philosophies have roots in these schools

•Idealism
• Asserts that because the physical world is always
changing, ideas are the only reliable form of reality

•Realism
• The features of the universe exist whether or not a
human being is there to perceive them.

•Pragmatism
• Rejects the idea of absolute, unchanging truth, instead
asserting that truth is “what works”
•Existentialism
• humanity isn’t part of an orderly universe; rather
individuals create their own realities. 5
 Philosophy and Cultural
Minorities
• The philosophies that we embrace are
influenced by the cultures we live in.
• Western philosophy heavily emphasizes
individualism and rational thought.
• Other world cultures place greater relative
emphasis on the wisdom of elders, feelings
and personal relationships, and harmony.

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 Basic Philosophies of Education
•Perennialism
•Essentialism
•Behaviorism
•Progressivism
•Existentialism
•Postmodernism (Critical Theory)
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 One should teach things that
Perennialism one deems to be of everlasting
importance to all people
everywhere

• An educational philosophy suggesting

that nature, including human nature, is
constant.
• Roots in both Idealism and Realism
• Rigorous intellectual curriculum for all
students, classic works

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 Children should learn the
traditional basic subjects and
Essentialism these should be learned
thoroughly and rigorously.

• An educational philosophy suggesting

that a critical core of knowledge and
skills exists that all people should
possess
• Roots in Idealism and Realism
• Back to basics movements
• Standards, testing, cultural literacy
• What is essential can change
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 Behaviorism
• Behaviorism is a theory of animal and
human learning that only focuses on
objectively observable behaviors and
discounts mental activities. Behavior
theorists define learning as nothing more
than the acquisition of new behavior.
• Used by teachers when they reward
(reinforce) or punish behaviors

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http://www.funderstanding.com/content/behaviorism
 Progressivism
• An educational philosophy emphasizing
curricula that focus on real-world problem
solving and individual development.
• Roots in Pragmatism
• Constructivism
• John Dewey
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opXKmwg8VQM

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 Existentialism
• A educational philosophy built on a viewpoint in
which school curriculum and instruction should
encourage deep personal reflection on one’s
identity, commitments, and choices.
• Focuses on the existence of the individual and
individual responsibility
• People are responsible for defining themselves
through their choices
• Education’s most important goal is to awaken
human consciousness
• Education should focus on both cognitive and
affective dimensions 12
 Postmodernism (Critical Theory)
• An educational philosophy contending that
many of the institutions in our society,
including schools, are used by those in power to
marginalize those who lack power.
• Roots in Existentialism
• History / Classics examined for power issues,
struggles of marginalized groups
• Criticized for using schools for political
purposes
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 Practice
• Evaluate your own educational philosophy

• Graphic organizer: What would a teacher

say, think, and act?

• Evaluate the educational philosophy of the

following teachers:
• http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/staff/sbaylis/speech2.html
• http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/staff/mharrison/
• http://www.rmjr.weber.k12.ut.us/teacherpages/jackson.htm
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• http://www.wsdstaff.net/~spotokar/video/index.htm
 Standards and
Essential Knowledge
• The current emphasis on standards is based
largely on essentialism, the belief that there is a
critical core of knowledge all students should
master.
• Advocates of standards (and essentialism)
believe that the major role of schools should be
to ensure that all students master a core of
knowledge.
• Critics of standards (and essentialism) respond
that most crucial knowledge is learned through
rote memorization, soon becoming forgotten or
inert, and fails to influence students’ current or
future lives. 16
 Philosophies of Education
in Urban Environments
• Because of the challenges involved in
urban teaching, developing a coherent
philosophy of education is even more
important.
• Beliefs, both positive and negative,
about urban learners can have
profound influences on urban teachers
and the way they teach.
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 Where do you stand?
Urban students are much like Urban students don’t want to
all students; they want to learn, learn and they’re only in school
but they need some help and because they’re required to be
encouragement there
Urban students need caring Urban students believe
and supportive teachers, as do respecting and liking teachers is
all students viewed as a sign of weakness
Working in an urban setting is Working in an urban setting is
much like working in any other dangerous, and teachers must
school be vigilant to prevent possible
personal harm
Homework is as important a There is little point in assigning
part of instruction when homework to urban students,
working with urban students as because they won’t do it
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it is with all students
 Developing Your Philosophy
of Education
• Philosophy can guide practice and help you
explain and defend your educational goals.
• The process of developing a philosophy
begins with examining your own beliefs
about teaching, learning, and students.
• An analysis of educational philosophies can
assist teachers in forming their own personal,
and probably eclectic, personal philosophy.

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 Reflection Paper #2: Your
own philosophy of education
• Develop your own philosophy of education based
on your own educational experiences, a critical
examination of your personal perceptions related to
teaching, and information learned in class about
educational philosophies
• Be sure to include
• Your perceptions of how education should be conducted
• How that relates to the educational philosophies learned in
class
• Personal examples to illustrate each philosophical element
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