Overview

The overview of the first three modules of this course will lead you into an exploration of various educational philosophies. Traditional philosophies, modern and post-modern philosophies, as well as educational theories of transformation and transmission will all be studied along with their corresponding personalities. This assignment will give you the opportunity to organize the essential components of each of these major educational philosophies and to compare these components against one another. The result will be an invaluable tool in your educational toolbox for years to come.

Instructions

Using the Gutek textbook and any other research databases to complete the empty white cells in the accompanying template. Your responses in each column should reflect the beliefs about that category according to the specific philosophy for that section. This will assist you in comparing the various philosophies. Ensure that the major principles of each philosophy are clarified. Key words, phrases, and short sentences will suffice. Lengthy paragraphs are unnecessary. The textbook aligns with the matrix chronologically, so you will find the information as you read through the book. Much of this information is clear in the text. For a few of the philosophies near the end of the matrix, however, you may need to make some inferences based on the information you read. The following list is to help you consider what should be written in each column.

Metaphysics = What is reality/truth? What is purpose and meaning in life?

Epistemology = Is it possible to know reality/truth? If so, how?

Axiology = What values should be developed in education?

Learner’s Nature = What is the role of the learner? What is the human condition? Good? Bad? Neutral? What learner factors should be considered in education?

Teacher’s Role = What is the most effective approach the teacher should take?

Curricular Focus = What content is most important?

Methodology = What pedagogical strategies are most effective?

Criticisms = What do opponents of this philosophy/theory say about it?

The template will be completed according to the following order:

Matrices

Matrices 1–3: Idealism, Realism, and Neo-Scholasticism

Matrices 4–5: Pragmatism and Existentialism

Matrices 6–11: Perennialism, Essentialism, Behaviorism, Reconstructionism, Critical Pedagogy, and Constructivism