Think about………..

•How do you plan to teach when you have your first classroom?

•What content will you focus on?•What teaching strategies will you

incorporate? •How will you relate to your students???

Philosophy of Education• Will help guide you in the classroom• Though, it’s there – you are not often aware of

its existence or how it will influence your actions• Philosophy – set of principles we choose to live

by, even though we do not often think about them.▫Studying education philosophy – more aware of

your beliefs about teaching & learning & helps to make decisions

▫Strongly influence how you teach & interact with students

Philosophy of Education

•Philosophy – search for wisdom (study of theories of knowledge, truth, existence & morality

•Reflecting helps us to develop our philosophy of education

•Theory – set of related principles that are based on observation & are used to explain the world around us

•Philosophy and theory = overlap

Epistemology

•The branch of philosophy that deals with knowledge & questions▫How do we know what we know

•A variety of ways of knowing▫Scientific method▫Experience▫Intuition▫Relying on others

Epistemology

•Important b/c our beliefs about how students learn influence how we teach

Philosophy

•Metaphysics – branch that considers what we know ▫What is real???

•Axiology – branch that considers values & ethics▫¾ of students admitted to cheating on tests

•Logic – branch that influences how we think about the world▫Examines the processes of deriving valid

conclusions from basic principles

Philosophies of Education• Perennialism – suggest that nature – is constant

& schools should teach content & topics that have withstood the test of time ▫Right vs wrong, morals, concepts: good & evil, sin

and repression • Essentialism – suggest that specific knowledge &

skills exist that all people should possess▫Reading, writing, math ▫Reforms – No Child Left Behind

• Both share the view that knowledge & understanding are crucial, both are weary of educational trends

Philosophies of Education

•Progressivism – emphasizes real world problem solving & individual development

•Develop students as completely as possible – physically, intellectually, socially & emotionally

•Teachers – caring, questions/answers

Philosophies of Education

•Social Reconstructionism – asserting that schools, teachers & students take the lead in addressing social problems & improving society.▫Curriculum – societal issues

Discussion primary teaching method

•Social Reconstructionism•Progressivism•Perennialism•Essentialism

Why choose a school

•Personnel•Physical Plant •Organization of the curriculum

Which will be most important to you??? Why??

Choosing a School

•Curriculum – everything that a teacher teachers & students learn

•Organized around standards – learning goals

School Levels

•Early childhood programs•Elementary Schools•Jr. High Schools

▫Emphasis on academic subjects•Middle Schools

▫Address the need of early adolescents •High Schools

▫AP (Advanced Placement) Courses ▫Dual-Enrollment

Observations

•Could you see yourself as an elementary school teacher??

Criticism of High Schools

•Problems with tracking▫Career pathways▫College

•Size▫1,500+ students

•Departmentalization▫Grouping of teachers – not interrelated

•Lack of academic rigor ▫Scheduling

Alternatives

•Career Technical Schools•Career Academies

▫Small learning communities •Technology & Teaching

▫Distance Education▫Virtual Schools

Finding a Good School!!

•Quality of school = satisfaction with your job▫Quality = Important

•Good – Effective▫Learning for all students

•Researchers has identified 7 characteristics

Effective School • Optimal Size

▫ School Too small or too big =

problems Size = influence other factors

▫ Class 20 or fewer – optimal Teacher – student ratio Research – for fewer students Smaller class sizes – life is

easier 97% indicated it on survey

• Leadership▫ Principal sets the tone of the

school, like you set the tone of the class

▫ Sports do not take precedence over learning

• Collective efficacy▫ Teachers’ belief in their

school’s ability to promote student learning, regardless of condition

▫ Personal teaching efficacy – teacher’s belief that he/she can promote learning in all students

• Interactive instruction▫ Teacher – student

participation▫ Walking through the

hallways

Effective School

•Monitoring of Student Progress▫Feed back about learning▫Effective – assessment centered

•Strong Parent & Communality Involvement

•Safe & Orderly Environment ▫Home – very important