On Learning the Essence of Educational Philosophy

This paper is a journal entrée of what I have learned and observed in the class as I come to have some reflections on what educational philosophy is all about. Its importance to our educational system and the values that is set to take place when the school system is internalizing such philosophy. Some of the questions I have formulated are stated below.

Questions:

· What is an educational philosophy?

· What are the different educational philosophies?

• How do we align our personal philosophies in the school system?

In the foregoing discussion, let us be reminded that our main reason for this is to sharpen our knowledge on the subject and give value to each philosophy as we learn new things from it. Although some of the thoughts and opinions are based on personal observations as a student learning from an experience and seeing a new light from it.

The Need for an Educational Philosophy

In every school system today, an array of educational philosophy arises. Some teachers also have their own philosophies as it is. Yet whatever the school dictates is to be followed. The school policies were administered by a given body with their set of philosophies an example could be the sectarian or non-sectarian school. I happen to belong to both when I was attending my primary and secondary education. As I grew up I never questioned the difference of each system I just thought that it was instilled because it was run by the nuns or just the president of the university. I never thought this would come and that I will encounter such possibility and delved into the periphery of inspecting this subject. So, we start by asking what is an educational philosophy?

According to Ron Kurtus (revised 26 February 2001), there is a philosophy behind every school system, based on the views and values of the educators, as well as the society that is sponsoring the education. The philosophy starts with the view of reality and definitions of truth and goodness. From this, the mission of the schools and the emphasis of the instruction are established.

The emphasis of the view of reality and the definitions of truth and goodness is based on how educators understand the idea of good, truth and beauty as the primary value of education. Without these we could never find the real essence of our educational aims. Going back to the lesson we have taken on the subject foundations of psycho-philosophy, we have seen the relevance of the topic so in view of this is the alignment of the objectives.

The Educational Philosophies

The details of these philosophies are explicitly different from one another. It varies on how it was being processed and given to the students and the techniques used in the curriculum and later on incorporated together to make a more meaningful outcome.

Perennialism

A conservative and inflexible philosophy of education which is based on the view that reality comes from fundamental fixed truths-especially related to God. It believes that people find truth through reasoning and revelation and that goodness is found in rational thinking. As a result, schools exist to teach reason and God's will. Students are taught to reason through structured lessons and drills.

Idealism

Idealism believes in refined wisdom. It is based on the view that reality is a world within a person's mind. It believes that truth is in the consistency of ideas and that goodness is an ideal state to strive to attain. As a result, schools exist to sharpen the mind and intellectual processes. Students are taught the wisdom of past heroes.

Realism

Realism believes in the world as it is. It is based on the view that reality is what we observe. It believes that truth is what we sense and observe and that goodness is found in the order of the laws of nature. As a result, schools exist to reveal the order of the world and universe. Students are taught factual information.

Experimentalism

Experimentalism believes that things are constantly changing. It is based on the view that reality is what you experience. It believes that truth is what works right now and that goodness comes from group decisions. As a result, schools exist to discover and expand the society we live in. Students study social experiences and solve problems.

Progressivism developed by John Dewey in the 1920’s

Progressivists had taken into consideration the three learning types (auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners) of students. Techniques used in this approach are the following: thought provoking games, books, manipulative objects, experimentation and social interaction between the students. This approach also uses field trips outside of the classroom for educational purposes. Progressive philosophy isn't centered around the main goal of educating students for adulthood. Instead this approach was meant to enrich the educational growth process.

Existentialism

Proponents of this approach are Jean Paul Sarte, Soren Kierkegaard,Friedrich Nietzche and A.S . Neill with the creation of his Summerhill School. Each of these famous men contributed to the belief that it was "not just the mind that needed to be educated, but the whole person."

An existentialism school didn't enforce formal education. Instead it nurtured the creativity, and individuality of the student. It was felt that in time a student would mature by themselves, and decide what direction was suitable to pursue. In an existentialist school children would be given a variety of subjects to choose from. Vocational courses were to teach the student about themselves, and not to prepare them for a future occupation. The student pursued the subject of their choice, learning method, and worked at their own pace. They received one-on-one guidance from their teacher. Existentialism was an independent study program rather than a traditional class.

How do we align our personal philosophies into the school system?

I believe we can always make a difference in whatever situation we are in. In ways where educational philosophy plays an important role in our lives as educators. As the school system has its own philosophies to follow which we need to understand and also follow because we are of one entity. Regarding our personal educational philosophies we could incorporate it to their norms and the culture within that given society to have a harmonious relationship to others. As teachers we should be adept and flexible in the need for change in our environment.

Above all these details which would you likely follow or has been using as your educational philosophy? Intentions and motivations vary by the degree and the quality of education we would like to impart to our students. As educators, we would like to imprint a memory of us for them to be remembered and appreciated not in words but in thoughts. May it be a lasting relationship and goal so that we may be a true educator with a heart and soul in teaching. So that the goodness and beauty of our profession will always be noble.

Let me leave you with a quote from a philosopher:

“The profit we possess after study is to have become better and wiser”.

(de Montaigne)

My Philosophy in Education

“ The child’s needs as a learner governs his whole being”

When I was teaching English language and literature for college students two years ago, I never delved into any educational philosophies. I just followed what was expected from me. I followed what was handed like the curriculum alignment, made my own syllabus for the subject, give lectures and activities for the class, and give examinations which I thought was very practical for them to answer. And everyday going to school was a routine for me. In short I was behaving normally as I thought I was.

At the end of each semester, there was always an evaluation served and observed by fellow teachers/coordinator and the students. As a newbie in the field, I knew that I have some flaws that need to be enhanced. So with these evaluations there are positive and negative remarks about how I conducted my classes.

Later on in the span of my teaching career, I learned and discovered something enlightening about my life as a teacher. I was endowed to have patience and responsibility for these students to learn. It made me a realist of how teachers should act and take responsibility in their work. I began to enjoy life as a teacher because I wasn’t anymore idealistic and following all rules. It was fun learning new methods as I go and continue to discover new techniques. I can see my students enjoying also. They learn from me and I learn from them new methods in teaching and handling the class. I never could have imagined that I would enjoy teaching for awhile.

If there was a personal philosophy about education that I have followed maybe it was just plain and simple understanding and learning from my students abilities. I catered their hunger for knowledge, honed their skills in writing and link them to the significant human experience that one can have. I even introduced high order thinking skills for them to enhance their speaking abilities.

The need to define my personal philosophy in the last two years were indefinite because I have struggled to learn something from the environment, the school and its governing rules and policies, and getting to know your students who sometimes worships you and comments about ones ways in handling them. But I have been considerate of their needs to excel and to master their skills in the four language areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. I try to influence them to write their thoughts and speak what they believe is right and to stand to it. And be willing to accept whatever the consequence there is to it.

I would like to think that I am being pragmatic and a realist in the ways of teaching my students. For this I believe that educating people/students has its progress in modernizing ways of teaching whatever the field or type of students you have.

Pragmatic states that knowledge and action are not separate from each other and the value of knowledge lies in its practical consequences. In other words, knowledge is only as true as its practical consequences and their impact. It is considered as a wide range of thoughts which tend to explain the nature of knowledge and truth in the best possible manner.

Most of the time, we cannot control our students through their actions and thoughts. So I figured out that it is best to motivate and encourage them a little to talk and express themselves and by that way one can get to know him/her. It’s the easiest way to probe into the child’s mind if he/she can express through words because the development of the child can be self-motivated whatever the issues they are encountering in life.

I am realist when it comes to what and how students learn from the lessons I teach. Questions such as: “Am I preparing them for their future careers?” or “Does these lesson suits their level? With proper guidance I am giving them an overview of what to expect in their future workplace.

As realists we tend to believe that whatever we believe now is only an approximation of reality and that every new observation brings us closer to understanding reality.

Teaching language and literature for college students is not an easy task. One needs to be adept and knows how to manipulate the class especially in literature where there is a process of continuing guidance and follow-up of ideas.

Whenever I teach literature there is always the valuing of culture and thoughts of the students. By this they could reflect and dig into the deeper insights and allowing them to share their experiences to the class without apprehension and doubts. They began to have self-confidence and self-worth as they speak. They also learn by listening to other’s thoughts. In the process, this prepares students not only for personal development but for leadership in the community and the workplace. Because they learn to appreciate the little things they make in the class and began to flourish their minds to become critical thinkers and associate it to the present time.

And now I began to empower myself not only for the knowledge but for how I could still lend a hand for their hunger to learn. Teaching and learning does not only stop when students graduate but it is a continuing process where you want to reach out to others, too.

facets of life

LIFE as a gift from God is surely a magnanimity of His power and grace.

As I look back at His mighty love for us, I rediscover myself the beauty of being loved and cared for, not only from my family but from Him I become very grateful. Recurring problems that I try to recoup HE was there all along by my side. At times, I forgot to pray and asks for His guidance but then He never left me. Through the troubled times of our lives we seek calmness in our inner being. Life and God became one that's how important He is to me. I knew from the past that he is everything but tends to be backslided and trusts only oneself. Selfishly I begrudged God of who I have become. Yet obviously he never usurp the identity I want to form in me.For all the walks of life that I've thought I was alone He was there. Again and again I regain consciousness that I was not alone in the midst of all these trivialities of life.

No matter what he gives either problems or good news for us has always been created such that we may encounter and bear fruit with maturity in facing such situations.

LIFE, which is a gift took turns like a somersault that keeps on marking every step we make and catapults us whenever we needed a break from life's cruelties.

Almost all our lives we tend to forget His goodness and forgets to appreciate and thank Him for all He has given us. We share our triumphs to people we love and forgets His worthiness in our lives.

It is through this that I reflect and thank Him for all His sacrifices for us and that I owe everything to Him because without God we are of nothing and from His grace that he has shown us everlasting love.

POEMS: the prophet

On Children
Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

----this poem has enlightened me to understand who we are in this world...

when does one feel left out in love?

10 probing ideas on how to detect if your partner makes you feel left out:

1. lover doesn't answer your queries;
2. lover doesn't always greet you and asks your whereabouts;
3. doesn't display affection among friends and families;
4. doesn't let you into their world;
5. doesn't comment on what is happening about you;
6. is never attentive of your wants and needs;
7. never listens to your flaws and opinions;
8. gives a one sided piece of advice;
9.likes to do what he usually prefers to do without asking first from you; and
10. is never willing to understand you.

Which of the following number answers your dilemma? If you feel almost all of it, then its time to find someone new that is more deserving of your love and attention.

POEMS: love on the net

We live far apart
And have never met
Just talked on the phone
And chat on the net.

Yet, I feel for you
As I've not felt
This love is so strong
My heart may melt.

I want to hold you
To never let go
Be together forever
And feel the love grow.

I'm trying to show
The way that I feel
Yet words can't describe
This love is so real.

by: Kathy Porter
404 E 3rd ave s
Aurora MN 55705

http://www.minibite.com/justabuck.htm

we feel we are romantically involved with this someone we love but the bottom line is we are just born romantic, so our feelings are expressed through words that somehow our loved ones would also feel how we treasured them.

the thing we called love

i will be here
when stars fall down from the sky
i will be here
even if u don't ask me to

i keep the faith you willingly give
push you when you're down and weary
love you unconditionally
together we'll set sail on
this i want to be
forever in your life

Finding our soulmates.............

Which of the following descriptions of a soul mate applies to you ?

• Reincarnation: Some believe that a soul mate is someone with whom a person has shared other life times through reincarnation.

  The soul mate could be a friend, business partner, parent, child, sibling, spouse or other family member. These soul mates can be of the same or opposite sex.

• Other Half: Others believe, like the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, that a soul mate is a person's "other half". This concept was the basis of the movie, The Butcher's Wife where the idea of "split-aparts" searching for one another was explored. People all over the world believe that we are all searching for someone to make us whole and to share our journey of life with.
• A dictionary definition is: One of two persons compatible with each other in disposition, point of view, or sensitivity. Someone for whom you have a deep affinity. A person temperamentally suited to another.
• Predestination: The movie Still Breathing examines the thought that people are drawn together as soul mates by destiny or fate and that being with our soul mate is something we have no control over. This idea of predestination and connection even after death between soul mates was also examined in the movie What Dreams May Come.
• Making Life Come to Life: Richard Bach describes soul mates as "A soulmate is someone who has the locks to fit our keys, and the keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we; we can be loved for who we are and for who we're pretending to be. Each of us unveils the best part of one another. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person were safe in our paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we're two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life. "
• Profound Connection: Thomas Moore, in his book Soul Mates: Honoring the Mysteries of Love and Relationship, page xvii, describes a soul mate as "someone to whom we feel profoundly connected, as though the communication and communing that take place between us were not the product of intentional efforts, but rather a divine grace. This kind of relationship is so important to the soul that many have said there is nothing more precious in life."

Soul Mates

The Soul Mate Myth & Challenges in Soul Mate Marriages

By Sheri & Bob Stritof, About.com

quote of the day

"Better be despised for too anxious apprehensions, than ruined by too confident security."
-Edmund Burke

Some people find peace in their hearts when they let loose of themselves on thoughts and actions. To others it may seem a big question mark. Why create chaos to others rather than by simply hid it inside them?

People may act impulsively on things that matters to them most. Human beings are vulnerable and as we know we are also created uniquely. With this principle we may act on different manner depending on what we feel at the moment.

unexpected love

love comes when least expected
it always surprises us

with two people sharing warm friendship
expect kindle relationship

these blossom and create
a foundling love and affection

love is enormous
and unconditional if shared with openness

gives life for everyone
and a feeling of fulfillment

because the beauty of love
always come unexpectedly into our lives.

Who We Are Today?

For awhile, life seems to have special reasons for us to reflect of how and what we have become today. Have we been changed by what made us tick? What had happened to us? Have we changed for the better or for worse?

After years of surviving the new world we belong today, we find ourselves new individuals. An individual we never expected to become. Have we become more aggresive to the challenges thrown to us? Or have we just played by the rules?

Time makes us old, but with the beating of our hearts it inspires us to show assertiveness. Keeps us always on top whatever our chosen career may be now. Who we are today? Simply states how we have become new as a person and as our personalities changed from the trials and experiences we have learned.