A Philosophy Of Education Essay, Research Paper
In my opinion, the school s goals should begin with providing students the necessary knowledge and experiences to help contribute to our society. The school needs to make its best effort to keep the students interested in what they are doing so they don t get bored and lose interest in what they are working to accomplish. Numerous extracurricular activities should be provided so that the student s can get involved with their school in many different ways. Somehow, school needs to become a place that kids look forward to coming to every day, not a place they dread and don t want to be at.
I am in favor of vocational studies and liberal arts, as well as the general education courses, when it comes to the subjects that need to be taught in school. I think the major subjects such as English and science, as well as subjects such as typing, need to be taught in the classroom setting. The students will gain valuable knowledge, and in some classes hands-on experience, that they can use to their benefit when they get out of school. Also, these students have the opportunity to take classes that fit their interests and thus keeps them interested and excited about the classes they are taking.
In terms of achievement, I think that is measured based on the class. In classes such as English, the student should be able to write organized essays or talk in proper sentences. In classes like Home Economics, the students learn by baking a cake or making a pair of shorts from cloth. Some of the classes the students take they need to learn by using the 3 R s and in other classes they need to learn by hands-on work.
I think the teacher needs to take it upon him or herself to be a leader in the classroom when it comes to motivation. As a teacher you should have the respect of your students. In turn, they will want to impress you and be successful for you. I feel if you are constantly there telling them they can do it and that their efforts are worthwhile, they will have the motivation to perform in the classroom.
In terms of classroom management, I believe the teacher should lay down the law and make sure the students understand he or she is in control when it comes to running the class. However, the students have the freedom to make suggestions or initiate discussions. There needs to be a class rule such as raising your hand and being called on to speak so that the student s don t start making suggestions or different discussions, in which case the class can lose control and get off track.. If I feel the student s are discussing something worthwhile to the class, or they make a suggestion about doing something in class that I find acceptable, then I will be open to letting the class lead and following them from their.
How you grade the students in your class is something that people with different outlooks could argue about all day. I personally believe giving your best effort is the most important thing in the student s success. Attendance should play a major role in the student s success. If a student is doing bad in a math class and he or she never comes to class, there is no reason he should pass the class. However, if he is there everyday and putting forth that effort to learn, I don t think he or she should fail. The student may just have that tough a time comprehending the material and should not be punished for that. I want to be a physical education teacher and I will be faced with students who don t have an athletic muscle in their body. Why should they receive a lower grade because they can t run the mile as fast as another student? As long as the student is their everyday and is making the effort, they will not fail a class of mine.
Before writing this paper, I didn t give much thought to what philosophy I believed in. Now after reading this, it looks like I am in favor of the progressive viewpoint in about every area discussed.