In education, what is the importance of philosophy?
A philosophy of education is a system of thinking about what education is for and how it should be done.In order to know how best to do something, you need to be very clear about what it is that you are trying to accomplish.At first glance, the idea of a philosophy of education seems a little like “well, DUH - it’s teaching the students!”But - what do we teach them? How to do a job? To be good citizens? To think for themselves? To cooperate with leaders? To focus on science? To focus on civics? Art? Philosophy? To balance their lives or throw themselves entirely into what is most important? Important to whom - the student? parents? leaders? experts? Which leaders? Experts in what?And here is the problem: The answer to almost every question of that type is YES. But there are a limited number of hours in a day, and for some of those, YES implies NO to another.For example, in teaching math, we can either give students the exact method to do something, or we can guide them to discover the method for themselves. The first is much faster, and leaves more time for practice. But students forget what they have been told, and remember what they have discovered for themselves. And the process of discovering procedures for themselves trains them to be ready for new challenges.Another philosophical question in math education: do we let students use technology, or do we require them to calculate by hand? Calculating by hand develops speed and efficiency in basic calculations, but takes time that could be used learning more advanced math. And using technology is how they will do math outside of school.Questions like these come up often in teaching and in discussing education. By thinking carefully about these questions ahead of time, we are able to act on, and explain, our best ideas and most important values in the moment. When a student is struggling and a parent is asking why you aren’t doing things the classical way or why you aren’t using the latest fad, you need to have already thought about it. You need to know why you are doing what you are doing, and neither “because that’s how we always have always done it” nor “that’s what this book says we should do” is good enough.
What is the importance of philosophy to education?
There's more than one. Philosophy is about thinking deeply about something. So, thinking deeply about education, what's it's for, what makes an education a good education (and a good educational system a good educational system) are prerequisites to developing and assessing educational systems and methods. Also, those being educated need to learn to think deeply about what they learn, and to explore the big questions, and see how all of the parts they learn fit together to help explain the world. Philosophy includes reasoning about reason, and improving one's reasoning (to make it clear, relevant, broad, deep, accurate, and consistent). Philosophy also includes reasoning about what is right and wrong and how we can tell; reasoning about what knowledge is and how we know what we know and whether we really know this or that thing. Thus, the topics of philosophy: reason, ethics, epistemology should be taught so all students learn to think deeply and relevantly about them, and use their understanding to inform all of their beliefs and actions.
Relevance of philosophy of education to teacher education?
It’s interestingTeaching, as a profession, is vulnerable to bandwagonitis. For some reason, administrators seem to be particularly prone to jumping on whatever is the latest bandwagon, this great new thing that will revolutionise education. Problem is, it’s not new, it’s probably not great, and not all revolutions are good things (remember the Reign of Terror? The Holomodor? The Great Leap Forward?) The same bandwagons roll around every twenty years or so. The philosophy of education teaches you to recognise a bandwagon when you see one.It’s just nice to know that people have been thinking about how to do this education thing right since the dawn of time, and nobody’s got all the answers yet.
What is an Educational Philosophy?
It is important to be aware of your own educational philosophy since it helps you focus on why you make the decisions which you make when you plan for your lessons and implement these lessons. Through the writing of your own philosophy, you will see more clearly your own goals and values. Your Educational Philosophy is a description of your goals and beliefs as a teacher. There really is no such thing as "the" philosophy; our philosophies are a reflection of our own beliefs, experiences and training.
What is your philosophy of Special Education?
Students are people. Short, inexperienced people, but people nonetheless. Regardless of disability, ethnicicty, family income, etc. all people have the right to an education that prepares them to become functioning adults (Free Appropriate Education/FAPE, and Zero Reject). Special Education is the way that our education system recognizes that some people learn differently than others, and so differently that they need different programming than the "average" learner. Therefore the variety of research-based instructional approaches accessed by highly trained special education teachers and therapists. Therefore the Individualized Educational Plan/Program (IEP). This is all about the difference between "equal" and "equitable." Equal access to the general education program does not allow for differences in learning styles and needs. Equitable access involves creating programming and environments that help the person use their learning strengths to learn as much as they potentially can (just like the general education environment does for "average" people). Therefore Least Restrictive Environment and the continuum of services. Students are people. Therefore, when they walk into my classroom, I treat them like people... We search for their strengths, their goals, their dreams, and the only language forbidden in my room (besides cursing) are the phrases "That's easy" when looking at someone else's work (don't judge someone else's needs, but focus on your own), and "I Can't" (you need more time, more explanation, etc... but You Can!).
Why is it that Eastern philosophers without formal education can be considered philosophers and Western philosophers without formal education cannot?
Formal education has very narrow parameters of knowledge and intelligence. By your definition most Western philosophers would also not have had formal education.Knowledge can be gained by experiences or from a wise person and wisdom from meditation and reflection.I’ve never heard of Socrates going to any school. He had a penchant for asking difficult questions from the ‘philosophers’ of the time and making his own observations/ deductions.