Running Head: PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Philosophy of Education
Mellissa Webb
Wesleyan College

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Without education, can you be a productive person? Education is vital to survival, it is the
backbone of who we become as people. Without education, have you even been able to take care
of yourself? Education can mean so many different things, not just the traditional go to school,
take tests, and move on to the next grade. You learn something new every single day, you are
always a learner, no matter your age. However, the most crucial time to learn the most and be
submerged in an entire life of learning is when you are young.
There are several main philosophies of education. These include perrenialism,
essentialism, and progressivism. These philosophies make up how we teach mainly young
students. However, these philosophies can be applied to any type of teaching to any type of
learner.
Perrenialism focuses on teaching ideas that are everlasting, seeking enduring truths which
are constant, not changing, as the natural and human worlds at their most essential level, do not
change (Philosophical Perspectives in Education). Teaching these ideas helps create a base for all
learning throughout a persons life. These ideas are always the same and never changing as well,
so they are always constant in a learners life.
Essentialists believe there is a common base of knowledge that should be taught in a very
disciplined and organized way. Unlike perrenialists, essentialists believe that curriculum changes
over time and learning is an ever changing process. This process, however, lacks creativity and
an open, free environment for students to learn.
Progressivists believe education should focus on the whole child, rather than on content.
This way of learning is very hands on and active instead of standardized testing across the
curriculum. In this way of education, learning is problem solving and finding meaning behind

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

individual experiences. This is a very learn by doing type of process instead of memorization
for tests.
All three philosophies by themselves are very limited in my opinion. I believe the best
approach to education is one that is balanced and is focused on what each individual student
needs in order to be successful in the classroom. Each philosophy separately are very one sided
and do not have any flexibility for individual student needs. I think by combining all three
philosophies in order to find a balance would create the best positive, thinking friendly
environment that every student needs in order to learn to the best of their ability.
In my future classroom, I want my students to have the freedom to question things and to
think on their own. I do not want to teach them what to think I want to help guide them on how
to think and explore whatever they are interested in. I want to help them find something in every
subject that they are interested in. Making every subject fun but also full of content is one way I
plan on doing this.
Motivation is key when it comes to a students want to learn. If a student is unmotivated,
they are less likely to pay attention, less likely to retain anything, and less likely to want to do
that subject. Students should be able to experiment with their likes and dislikes in each subject
area and to realize their strengths and weaknesses. Once a student realizes they are good at one
thing they are more motivated to continue to work hard to make their weaknesses into strengths.
I also plan on implementing a way to figure out how each student learns the best. In order
to do this, I will use the learning styles of each student to help them be the most successful they
can be. Using a students learning style in order for them to feel more comfortable in their
abilities creates a positive environment where they are more willing to pay attention and stay on
task.

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

My future classroom will always be a positive environment. I know how valuable a

positive teacher can be to the success of a class. The students feed off of your demeanor as an
educator and if you are not comfortable or are negative all the time, then they will not be
comfortable and negative. Keeping positive reinforcements and personal motivation for each
student on a weekly or daily basis will help my classroom stay a positive and welcoming place to
learn.
I believe students need encouragement and praise starting at a very young age. If a
student has never heard that they are smart or that they are able to do something, then they will
not have any confidence in their own work. Young students need to see that learning can be a fun
and enjoyable experience. I intend on doing a lot of projects where students do not even realize
that they are learning something new instead of just worksheets and tests. A lot of students I have
been around in my field experience thus far lose interest in learning something new when all they
have in front of them are worksheets and tests to see what they are able to memorize. Starting
positive reinforcements and motivational tactics at a young age is crucial for young learners to
become lifelong learners.
I want to provide reasons why we are learning new subjects and topics. I do not want to
just say because it will be on the test so you need to learn it. No, I want to give reasons and
motivation for students to learn new topics and want to learn new things. So many times, I have
heard that in classrooms that I have been in to observe. I do not want to teach to the test. I want
to teach for retention and growth. I understand standardized tests cannot be ignored or removed,
however I think they should not be the focus of why the students are learning what they are
learning. If a teacher is forced to teach to the test, their motivation is not there which directly
translates to their students not having any motivation to learn what their teacher is teaching them.

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

I believe students should be taught in such a way that they dont even realize that they are
learning by a standard. Based on personal experience, I have always learned a topic more in
depth when I was having fun learning it instead of just reading a textbook and completing a
worksheet. I want to make sure my students can have fun while learning when possible.
I also believe while having fun, children should be exposed to working in groups.
Children are naturally social, however, they do not always work well in groups. I want to make
sure that they are taught how to work well in groups. Not just bossing each other around or
relying on one student in a group to do all the work, but truly sharing the work load of a group
project. Students need to be able to work well with anyone in the classroom regardless of the
subject they are working on, as well. I want to implement projects that will intrigue their curious
minds and create a thirst for knowledge through different projects.
I believe another way to get their curiosity and thirst for knowledge flowing is through
the Socratic method. In the Socratic method, the teacher questions students in a manner that
requires them to consider how they rationalize and respond about topics (Socratic method). This
helps guide the students to think more deeply about different subjects and topics. This method
also helps encourage students to openly express their opinions in the classroom. This method
reinforces my belief that students should be taught how to think, not what to think.
A positive, open environment where critical thinking is encouraged is my ideal
classroom. At times, managing a classroom can be difficult to keep a positive environment,
however, finding a balance between managing and teaching is key to keep a growing, learning
environment thriving. I think this is key to creating the best environment for guiding learners and
developing minds.

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Although I do not believe in standardized testing, especially at very young ages, it is how
learning is assessed as of right now. However, I believe that standardized tests are not the only
way to assess a students knowledge. Observing a student in his or her own personal progress
throughout the year in many different forms, verbally and written for example, can be used to
determine how much a student as retained and learned throughout the year. Testing a student
sporadically and randomly without the students knowledge will help lessen stress and anxiety
that the majority of students feel when taking standardized tests.
There are many ways of teaching, and almost every teacher has his or her own
philosophy of education that is always changing. To stay constant in your own philosophy of
education is to limit yourself of personal growth, which in turn limits your students. My
philosophy of education is to continue adapting with the children and create a supportive,
positive environment that encourages learning and creativity in each and every one of my
students.

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7
References

PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES IN EDUCATION. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 201,

from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP3.html
Philosophy of Education; Educational Philosophy / Teaching Philosophy. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 2, 2016, from http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Education.htm
Socratic method. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2016, from
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4994?ref=search