SECTION I – The Professional Teachers are Socially Responsible

ED 202 Learning Module 1

INSTRUCTOR: PRINCESS IZZA Y. PIELAGO

Learning Module Chapter 1: Socially Responsible Teachers: Rich with Philosophical
Heritage
Behind a successful teacher is his/her philosophy of education- a set of beliefs about "what and
how" education and teaching should be. This determines whether or not he/she will enjoy and
succeed in his/her teaching career or leave for another profession.

Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)

Formulate a personal educational philosophy that would guide teachers in their exercise of
the teaching profession.

INTRODUCTION
Teachers need to be guided by a sound philosophy in the practice of their profession. It is a way
of thinking about the meaning of life and their profession. It is a statement that outlines their
view on education and how it is supposed to be delivered to the learners.
Teachers plan lessons, interact with their students and evaluate their performance according to
their own personal view of teaching and learning. This depends on how they take their role as
teachers. This depends on their philosophy of education. Their personality and values are
reflected in their philosophy and set their behavior in the classroom. Their philosophy of
education guides them in reflecting on the meaning of what they are doing as teachers-why they
are teaching it and how they are teaching it.
It is important that teachers and students understand one another's philosophy to better
understand their behavior in class which is crucial to a healthy learning environment.
At the end of this chapter, you are expected to develop your own philosophy of education which
will serve as your guiding light in your teaching career. If you take your philosophy seriously it
is assumed that you have achieved wisdom in the conduct of your profession.
This chapter introduces you to philosophies and theories of education. Reflect on each
philosophy/theory presented and select the elements which you think are worth including in your
own philosophy.
ENGAGE
What is philosophy? Philosophy can be defined as a set of ideas that answer question about the
nature of reality and about the meaning of life. Some important questions that are commonly
asked are .... What is knowledge? What is worth striving for? What is just, good, right of
beautiful? These are philosophical questions that maybe important in teachers' lives.
Philosophy originated with the ancient Greek word Philo which means love and Sophie which
means wisdom. Philosophy is therefore the love of wisdom.
Greek thinkers divided philosophy into three branches: metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology.
1. Metaphysics addresses reality. It is divided into two categories:
• Ontology examines issues related to nature, existence or being.
• Cosmology is related with the nature and origin of the universe (the cosmos).
2. Epistemology is concerned with the nature of knowledge - how we come to know about
things, or how we acquire knowledge. We acquire knowledge through our senses, intuition,
observation and logic, and use of scientific method.
3. Axiology and its corollaries relate to value.
• Ethics relate to issues in morality and conduct.
• Aesthetics is concerned with beauty.
 GUIDED PRACTICE 1
Fill in the Blanks
1. Philosophy means the love of ____________.
2. ____________ focuses on how we acquire knowledge.
3. Ethics falls under the branch of ____________.
4. Metaphysics deals with the nature of ____________.

What is philosophy of education? Philosophy of education is a set of related beliefs that

influence what and how students are taught. Teachers' philosophy of education guides their
behavior or performance in the classroom. The philosophy statement reflects their personality
and values.
Formulating your own philosophy may not be easy since you are just beginning, but here are
some questions you may consider in framing your philosophical statement.
• What is the purpose of education?
• What content and skills should schools develop?
• How should schools teach the content of the curriculum?
• What are the roles of the students and teachers in the teaching learning process?
• How should learning be assessed?
In education, metaphysics refers to the knowledge of most worth which is the curriculum. The
subjects in the curriculum contain or describe the knowledge which teachers should impart to the
learners. Epistemology is concerned with the methods of teaching or how teaching and learning
are to be delivered. Axiology relates to behavior, civility, appreciation, and expression.

GUIDED PRACTICE 2
Match Column A with Column B.
Column A Column B
____1. Curriculum A. How we teach
____2. Teaching Methods B. Knowledge of most worth
____3. Values & Behavior C. Assessment and conduct

PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS OF EDUCATION

Philosophies present generalized views of reality. Three major philosophies are presented in this
chapter to help you formulate your own philosophy. Compare the elements or features of each
philosophy and decide which element you would include in your philosophy of education.
[Link]
Idealism contends that reality lies in our consciousness or our intellect. Idealists believe that
perfect knowledge of the ideal resided outside humans as an Absolute or as God. They believe
that the spiritual essence or soul is the permanent element of human nature that gives them the
power to think and feel. They believe that the ideas that make-up reality have already existed in
the mind of the Absolute or God so that when we know something, it means we have reached our
conscious understanding of these ideas.

Idealism envisions schools that are intellectual centers of teaching and learning, where teachers
guide the students to realize their intellectual potential and appreciate the finest and enduring
achievements of culture.
Idealist Teachers:
1.1. Believe that the schools are the repositories of eternal truth which have organized the
hierarchical curriculum in education
 1.2. Believe that on top of this hierarchy are the most important subjects that cultivate
abstract thinking - Philosophy, Theology and Mathematics
1.3. Believe in the use of Socratic method - asking probing questions to stimulate
consciousness of students in discovering knowledge
1.4. Believe that thinking and learning are the processes of bringing latent ideas to
consciousness and logic is encouraged in organizing their lessons.
1.5. Believe that teachers should lead exemplary lives and be models for students to
imitate
1.6. Believe that the Internet can make the great book accessible to all, but they insist that
technology should be the means rather than the end in transmitting knowledge
2. Realism
Realism advocates that reality is outside of our minds. They are not internal to our minds as
idealists claim. Realists believe that the objects we perceive exist independently of the mind; that
whether or not we perceive these objects, they really exist in the world. Realists assert that the
human mind can know about the real world and that knowledge is a reliable guide to our
behavior.
For the realists, the purpose of education is to teach students about the world in which they live.
That the most accurate and efficient way of learning is through the curriculum of organized and
classified subject-matter discipline.
Realist Teachers:
2.1. Believe that teachers should be equipped with a wide repertoire of methods in
teaching to achieve their goals
2.2. Believe that their primary responsibility is to bring students' ideas about the world
into reality
2.3. Believe that deductive and inductive logic, and the scientific method are reliable
means to discover knowledge
2.4. Believe that the inclusion of non-academic activities interfere with the school's
primary purpose as a center of disciplined academic inquiry
2.5. Believe in the use of technology as an aid in learning; they recommend computer
program to be as "realistic" and effective as possible
3. Pragmatism
Pragmatism evaluates the truth and meaning of ideas according to their physical consequences
and practical value. It emphasizes the need to test the validity of these ideas by acting on them.
The best way to validate ideas empirically is by using the scientific method. For pragmatists, if
something works, it is true.
John Dewey, a pragmatist, related education as preparation for life. He believed that the function
of education was to enhance human potential to be able to adapt to a constantly changing world.
Students should be trained to construct knowledge as they interact in the world. Pragmatists
believe that students should be encouraged to do researches and apply them to the solution of a
problem.
Pragmatist Teachers:
3.1. Believe that education is an experimental process - a method of solving problems
that challenges people as they interact with the world
3.2. Believe that children should learn how to make difficult decisions by considering the
consequences of their actions on others
 3.3. Believe that education should focus in real-life problems to be prepared to live fully
and effectively in society
3.4. Believe that students should learn the process of problem-solving rather than by
being passive learners as knowledge is being transmitted to them
3.5. Believe in collaborative learning where students share their interests and problems
3.6. Believe that interdisciplinary education is better than departmentalized curriculum in
education
3.7. Believe in taking risk in education to achieve their goal
3.8. Believe in values-clarification rather than blindly accepting inherited values
3.9. Believe that communication technologies such as e-mail and internet provide
opportunities to share ideas, insights, and experiences

GUIDED PRACTICE 3
Write I (Idealism), R (Realism), or P (Pragmatism).
____ Learning by solving real-life problems.
____ Use of Socratic questioning.
____ Knowledge discovered through scientific method.
____ Education prepares learners to adapt to change.

OTHER PHILOSOPHIES AND THEORIES RELATED TO EDUCATION

Educational theories are rooted from philosophies. They examine the roles and functions of
schools, curriculum, teaching, and learning. Five educational theories are presented on the pages
that follow for you to analyze and consider in developing your own philosophy. Select the
elements or features in these theories that you agree with and include in your own philosophy.
1. Perennialism
Perennialists assert that the primary purpose of education is to bring students in contact with the
truth by cultivating their intellect and sense of rationality or reasoning power. They contend that
there are principles that students need to learn like the universality of truth, the importance of
rationality and the power of aesthetics. They also propose the study of religion to encourage
ethical behavior.
Perennialists urge that students read the Great Books — works by history's finest thinkers and
writers and develop their understanding of the concepts about human knowledge. They oppose
the inclusion of non-academic subjects in the curriculum because they defeat the primary
purpose of the school which is to develop students intellectually. They endorse subject-matter
curriculum loaded with cognitive subjects that develop rationality and morality.
Perennialist Teachers:
1.1. Believe that teachers are the intellectual mentors and models for their students
1.2. Believe that fundamental skills such as reading, writing, computation and research be
developed starting the elementary grades to prepare them for lifelong learning
1.3 Believe that subjects with human concern like history, literature, drama, and art
should be included in the secondary school curriculum
1.4 Believe that their role is to sharpen the students' intellectual powers and enhance their
moral qualities
1.5 Believe that electronic version of great books and other classics maybe viewed by
larger audience but this could not be a substitute for reading the classics
2. Essentialism
Essentialism is a teacher-centered philosophy that adheres to the belief that the basic skills of
literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy (arithmetic) as well as subject-matter knowledge
should be developed in schools. Subjects such as history, mathematics, science, languages, and
literature are essential subjects for secondary education. They believe that these basic essential
subject-matter need to be mastered to be able to function effectively in society. These skills will
prepare them to be competent and skilled individuals for the competitive global village.
Essentialists argue that schools and teachers must be committed to their primary academic
function - to teach students with knowledge and skills that will prepare them to function
effectively and efficiently in a democratic society.
Essentialists favor a subject-matter curriculum which should be cumulative and sequentially
arranged, starting with low order thinking skills to more complex higher order level.
Essentialists do not favor innovative or process - learning approaches like constructivism, which
allows students to construct knowledge based on past knowledge/experiences. They adhere more
on teacher-directed instruction because they believe teachers are trained professionals who
should guide and direct the learning of students.
Essentialist Teachers:
2.1. Believe that teachers have authority to discipline students
2.2. Believe that teachers should have mastery of the knowledge and skills they teach
2.3. Believe in the use of deductive method of teaching
2.4. Believe that students should learn the "essentials"
2.5. Believe that only when the students have mastered the required competencies can
they be promoted to the higher level
2.6 Believe that test scores are the basis for evaluating students' progress
3. Progressivism
Progressivists belong to a reform movement that opposed the traditional education. They were
against: 1) authoritarian teachers, 2) book-based instruction, 3) rote memorization, and 4)
authoritarian classroom management. Progressivists contend that although knowledge may come
from varied sources, the best way to learn is by actively exploring/or by engaging in direct
experiences. They believe that the school should be a laboratory for experimentation. They
organize schools around the concerns, curiosity and real-world experiences of the learners. They
advocate using the project method and problem-solving which promotes democratic learning
communities in the classroom.
Progressivist Teachers:
3.1 Believe that teachers should possess a repertoire of learning activities to be used in
the teaching-learning process like problem-solving, field trips, creative artistic expression
and projects
3.2. Believe that the child should be free to develop naturally
3.3. Believe that interest motivated by direct experience stimulates learning
3.4. Believe that the teacher is a facilitator of learning
3.5. Believe that there should be close cooperation between the home and the school
 3.6. Believe that students' needs, interest, and readiness should be considered in
constructing the curriculum
4. Social Reconstructionism
This theory is rooted on progressivism. In fact, social reconstructionists were considered as the
more socially-oriented progressivists. They sought to make schools the center of larger social
reforms. They contended that schools need to investigate and work to solve social, political, and
economic problems and eventually create a new society.
Social reconstructionists believe that people are responsible for their social conditions. They
have the power to take control of their lives, improve their human conditions, and build a just
and good society. Education, therefore, should prepare the students to meet the demands of
society.
Social Reconstructionist Teachers:
4.1. Believe that the school is the ideal place to begin alleviating social problems
4.2. Believe in using project method and problem-solving method in teaching
4.3. Believe that research is an effective means in solving problems of society
4.4. Believe that the intellectual, emotional, and personal needs of the students should be
considered in the learning process
4.5. Believe that teachers must model democratic principles
5. Existentialism
Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the subjectivity of human experience. It is more a
process of philosophizing than it is a philosophy. Existentialism asserts that the purpose of
education is to help students find meaning and directions in their lives.
Existentialist author, Jean-Paul Sartre often quoted the phrase "Existence precedes essence,"
meaning, we owe our existence to nature but we define ourselves through our action. We create
our own essence by making our personal choices. When we are thrust into choice-making
situations, we are what we choose to be. We must take responsibility for our choices.
Existentialists maintain that we create our own definition and make our own essence by making
personal choices in our lives.
Existentialist Teachers:
5.1 Believe that the purpose of education is to awaken our consciousness about our
freedom to choose and to create our own self-awareness that contributes to our identity
5.2 Believe that students should be trained to philosophize, to question, and to participate
in dialogues about the meaning of life
5.3 Believe that self-expression, creativity, self-awareness, and self-responsibility should
be developed in the students
5.4 Believe that open classrooms maximize freedom of choice
5.5 Believe in self-directed instruction
5.6 Believe that students should decide what they want to learn and when to learn it

GUIDED PRACTICE 4
Scenario Analysis
Identify the theory being described.
1. teacher allows students to choose what project they want to work on and when to submit it.
____________
2. A school strictly focuses on literacy, numeracy, science, and history mastery. ____________
3. Students investigate poverty in their community and design an action plan. ____________
4. Students read classical works of Plato and Shakespeare. ____________