RUNNING HEAD: Philosophy of teaching

Philosophy of teaching
Adrienne Harvey
Teaching 101
Dr. Bilz
11/17/13

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Abstract

Formal and in formal education

What is school?
Purpose of school
Philosophies
Disabilities

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Introduction

Becoming a teacher has been a dream of mine for many years. There are many things to
think about before becoming a teacher. Teachers have to be very flexible when preparing for the
career. There are different teacher philosophies and methods and on the other hand there are
student learning styles and disabilities that will have to be considered when making lesson plans.
Teachers have many students come in and out of their classrooms daily they have to be prepared
to everything and everyone.
What is Education?
Formal Education also called explicit curriculum. In Formal education the curriculum is
based off of the textbook, guides, and standards. In formal curriculum it differs greatly between
elementary and middle, junior, and high school. In elementary school the curriculum is based
mostly on reading, writing, and math. In elementary the teacher can decide how much time is
spent on each subject and how it is taught. In middle school it is more based on specific content
area than elementary is, and each subject is given the same amount of time. In junior high and
high school the curriculum is even more specialized in subject matter, and the time is divided
equally between each subject.
Informal education also called implicit or hidden curriculum, includes the unstated and
sometimes unintended aspects of the curriculum. It consists of the hidden messages you and your
school send as children participate in school activities, and it will be heavily influenced by your
attitudes and actions (Eggen, Kauchak, 2014, p. 284). Informal education also can be things
students learn outside of the classroom at church, home, or with friends. It includes times when
the student does not think they are learning.

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Formal and informal education then leads us in the different types of teaching
philosophes. There are four teaching philosophies: humanist, progressive, social efficiency, and
reconstructionist.
Humanist is based on a well-rounded curriculum. The curriculum is to be comprised of
classic authors and liberal arts. The subjects should be languages, mathematics, natural history,
general history, and physics and chemistry. This outlook believes all students should have to
same knowledge no matter their future. The general goal of humanist is to give knowledge to
students in order for them to lead satisfying and happy lives. They believe knowledge is the key
to happiness (Bilz, 2006).
Progressive beliefs are self-actualization of the child. Curriculum is based on the abilities,
interest, and experiences of the child. The child is the center of the curriculum (Bilz, 2006).
The curriculum would be based around the child discovering learning, inquiry, and hands on
activities. Teachers are facilitators rather than teacher (Bilz, 2006). They guide through
learning so the child will discover things on their own.
Social efficiency is based on preparations for their lives as adults. Elementary students
would be all the same but the older students would be based on their abilities and interest.
Vocational and technical education is the biggest part of this belief.
Reconstructionist is based on social change. The curriculum promotes justice, equality,
and a democratic structure (Bilz, 2006). The curriculum would be based on becoming aware of
social problems and issues (Bilz, 2006). At the end of Reconstructionist curriculum students
would be able to intelligently discuss the social issues.

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There are countless points with each philosophy after looking at each. Progressive view is
most reasonable for me. John Dewey was an educator in the early days of education. He was a
firm believer of the progressive view. Dewey argued that curriculum should be relevant to
students' lives. He saw learning by doing and development of practical life skills as crucial to
children's education (Pbs). Just as Dewey stated I also believe that school curriculum should be
relevant to the students everyday lives. Not only would that encourage the student to be more
involved with learning they will be more inclined to improve their lives outside of school.
What is School?
What is school and why do we need to go is the biggest question every young person has
asked. School is a wonderful place that is full of knowledge and information that can make your
life exactly what you want it to be. Teachers need to fill their students minds with information
that they can take and apply to their lives.
School has many different purposes including civic, emotional, cognitive, vocational,
social development. A schools mission statement tells potential teachers what the school has to
offer and the way they present the education. When looking at a schools mission statement each
person has to decide if the way they provide their goal is compatible with their preference.
The physical space of the classroom is so important it needs to be comfortable and
inviting to students. When talking about physical space it leads us to productive learning
environment. Productive learning environment is a safe and inviting, focuses on learning, and
provides opportunities for social and personal growth (Eggen, Kauchak, 2014, p. 12). It is so
important that your classroom is a place that students what to learn. When walking into a
classroom and seeing blank walls, desk, and a teacher most students would want to turn around

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and run, but if they walk into a classroom that has posters and colors and fun and entertaining
learn materials displayed they will be ready to come in and start working just to find out what
you are teaching using so many fun things. If the teacher accomplishes a productive learning
environment, students are well behaved, but the emotional climate is relaxed and inviting. They
understand that learning is the highest priority, theyre respectful of others, and they accept
responsibility for their actions (Eggen, Kauchak, 2014, p. 12).
The non-physical space is just as important as the physical space. A teacher does not
want to many rules it is intimidating to students. The more rules you have the more the students
will break these rules. From the very beginning the teacher needs to make the rules and
expectations of the classroom clear and the punishment when these are break or not
accomplished. It is also important to reward your students for doing things correctly by bringing
in candy or giving extra credit points.
Subject Matter of Education
What is the subject matter of education the action or process of teaching someone the
information or ideas that are discussed or dealt with in a book (Eggen, Kauchak, 2014, p. 12).
When deciding what to teach every teacher has things to keep in mind, what are the areas I have
to teach, what areas I want to teach, and what information will the students want and need to
know. Teachers have to teach certain things so that the students can take and pass their state
mandated test. For example when teaching a high school chemistry class the students will enjoy
doing lab work. Anything they can do with their hands. So if the teacher can incorporate more
lab work with the assignments they will be able to keep the students attention.
The Nature of Method

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There are four different types of instructional strategies: direct instruction, lecturediscussion, guided discovery, and cooperative learning. These strategies are what a teacher may
use in their classroom to teach their students. Every teacher teaches different, and they may use
all of these strategies at one point or another. Many great teachers are able to determine what
strategy will work best for a particular class, and they may teach differently to every class.
Direct instruction is just what the name says direct. It is the most widely used
teaching strategy. It is broken down into three different steps introduction, developing
understanding, and practice. This strategy the teacher controls the flow and direction of the
lesson. It does not promote self-learning by students.
Lecture- discussion is another form of instructional strategy. This strategy has
many pros and cons. The information that is given in a lecture tends to be information a student
would have trouble finding on their own. The cons of this type of teaching range from fighting to
keep students attention to giving to much information where the student cannot retain the
information you are giving them.
Cooperative learning is an instructional strategy that breaks students down into
smaller groups that encourage interaction and involvement in a group setting. Even though the
students are in groups the students are still accountable for their own learning. In cooperative
learning there are three steps first is introduction to the topic, second step is assigning work for
each group, and third is keeping the students focused and organized.
Guided Discovery is a strategy where the teachers guide their students into
understanding the concepts of the information. This strategy focuses on the students thinking and

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using their minds to learn not just being told the information. The teacher spends more time
asking the students questions than explaining the information.
There are seven different learning styles they are: visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical,
social, and solitary. Visual (spatial): You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial
understanding. Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music. Verbal (linguistic):
You prefer using words, both in speech and writing. Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using
your body, hands and sense of touch. Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning
and systems. Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people. Solitary
(intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study (website, 2013).
Many students face difficulties in school some difficulties are worse than others.
Some common difficulties that a teacher may face are learning disabilities, communication
disorders, intellectual disabilities, and behavior disorders. As a teacher it is important to know
the difference between each and how to see when a student is struggling with one of these
disorders.
Learning Disabilities the most common difficulties some students may have. With
this form of disabilities student may experience a hard time acquiring information and using
listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, and mathematical abilities.
Communication disorders were some students have a difficult time expressing
their thoughts and questions with others or understanding the teacher or other students.
Intellectual disabilities are also known as mental retardation includes limitations
in intellectual functioning as indicated by difficulties in learning and problems with adaptive
skills such as communication self-care and social interactions (Eggen, Kauchak, 2014, p. 12).

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Behavior disorders can consist of inappropriate behavior in comparison to their

age. These actions can lead to conflicts between other students and teachers, it can cause
unhappiness in the students that effected, and result in failure of school.
Assessment is when a teacher evaluates the students on certain content they have
been studying. There are many different reasons to use assessments before teaching an area of
study to know how much the students already know, after teaching the area of study to see how
much the students have learned, and then we have the state mandated test that see what the
students have learned in a particular time frame. The state test not only assesses the students but
also helps the teacher come up with guide lines on what they need to teach the students.
School and Society
Teachers are responsible for collaborating with many different people including
the principle, other teachers, parents, and the community. There are many different reasons to
collaborate and many great things can come out of it. When collaborating with other teachers
they may offer information on how they do things in their class room they you may want to try
or they can help you handle situations that you are not sure what to do on. When talking to
parents teachers can encourage them to be more involved in the school or the parent may give
the teacher insight into why a student does the things they do.
Conclusion

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References

Bilz, J. (2006) Teacher development series: Curriculum theory and design, unpublished
manuscript. (Bilz 2006).
Kauchak, D., & Eggen, P. (2014). Introduction to teaching: Becoming a professional . (5 ed.).
Pearson.
Overview of Learning Styles. 2013. http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/
Pbs. Only a teacher: Schoolhouse pioneers. http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/john.html.