When: 09.06.2010 Today we discussed the western philosophy and how it can impact education. We were introduced to a few representatives of idealism (Socrates, Plato, Kant, Descartes).
I have learned a few good points of idealism: - constant development of people in order to find the truth; - education for everyone (I was surprised to learn that idealists even in ancient times believed that women and men should have equal access to education); - idealists seemed to understand that people had different abilities, but they believed that all should get the same opportunity at the start - those "more clever" can further their education, those less able can help the society in other ways (manual labor for example) - we follow it today throughout the world with universities and vocational schools for example. - idealists encouraged people to develop themselves in order to find the truth, they encourage lifetime learning.
Applications: As I study E.A I will look at it from the admin point of view. - equal opportunities for poor and rich, girls and boys - education to all at lower level; - different types of school (middle and higher level) to make sure that those less able can still be a great asset to society (vocational schools mentioned already). Also special schools for gifted in certain areas. Schools or programs that focus on, for example, Mathematics, English etc. - encourage people to study and improve themselves throughout their lives not only at school age. Provide opportunities for training and development for adults, for all the age and social groups.
Today Dr.Andy mentioned about the cultural effect on his wife that,to accept all the ideas coming from somebody from a higher position or economic level and not to disagree with them even if she doesn't think the same way.I also have some similar examples from my Thai friends too. As a teacher I think I have the chance to encourage my students to express themselves freely.
Applications:
1)Clarify to my students that anytime they don't agree what I am teaching or disagree with my ideas about the topic,they will be welcomed to discuss the point with me and tell them that maybe by this way both sides will benefit and learn something from each other.
2)Make an inquiry through my classes and ask students to write the things that they are not happy with in my lessons and write about their alternative ideas.
3)As an activity and to challenge the younger ones; get smaller grades to evaluate higher grades for one of their presentations.
Gaye and Marcin, it is evident that the two of you have found specific aspects of our discussion that apply to your particular situation and have direct valuable applications. Excellent! Andy
From the reading, lecture, and discussion we had in the class, we learned important philosophical ideas which influenced today’s education. One idea which interests me is that “a true education occurs only within the individual self (Ozmon and Craver).” For idealists, self-realization is an important purpose of education. To them all education is self-education, and they focus on self-directed activities. According to idealists, learning occurs within individual learners, and teachers cannot force them to learn. However, of course teachers guide learners and influence their learning. I think this idea shows that a role of a teacher as a facilitator. This idea also connects to the idea that the ultimate purpose of education is to help students to become independent and self-regulated learners (Some of us learned this in CI 6142).
3 applications
-If we want learning to occur, we need to motivate students first. In the first class, it is helpful to clarify the purpose and goal of the class. Also I think it is important for students to have their own goals regarding the subject. For example, at my university where I teach, each student has a different goal and interest even though they are majoring in the same subject. Teachers should know a specific purpose or goal of each student to support their learning.
-In the class, rather than giving lectures all the time and giving students all the instructions of what to do next, we can give learners some freedom to choose or decide what they want to learn about the subject. For example, in a project work, students decide topics and work in a group, and teachers work as facilitators.
-It maybe helpful to teach students how to learn by themselves to promote self-learning outside of the classroom. In my class, I showed my students some useful websites where they can study Japanese through internet by themselves (and it is a fun website☺).
Thank you for the lecture, Andy. (And for interesting discussion, everyone.)
The text on idealism was very interesting. All the way through as I read it, it made a lot of sense. The ideas had their own origin and sensibility based on that time and place. However, the text at the end on Education by Kant was the most interesting bit for me. I really liked how he showed a difference between obedience in terms of a child and a youth where for one it is discipline while for the latter is it duty. Students need to development a sense of duty in them which comes out of an understanding of why they do it. It is at first the teacher’s responsibility to provoke the thought in their students but ultimately it has to come from within the students.
Applications
1. Respecting the National Anthem: Children do it because they are told to but the youth should do it because they have developed a sense of pride in their country.
2. Key words- Sorry, Please and Thank you: These words have meaning as a youth and are used more unconsciously while children mostly would only use these words when an adult is around.
3. Responsibility towards Parents: A child does it out of love but youths do it out a sense of responsibility, love, respect and gratefulness which comes within.
Reshmi, I like what you said about students developing a sense of duty. I often see it here in Thailand 0 students do not really respect certain things - they do it because they are scared (in case of some teachers) or they are forced to do it. This is a big problem nowadays, at least at schools I have taught.
So I agree with what you said here 100%:
"Students need to development a sense of duty in them which comes out of an understanding of why they do it. It is at first the teacher’s responsibility to provoke the thought in their students but ultimately it has to come from within the students."
Yesterday, As Dr.Andy lectured the western Philosophy with good examples,I was very interested in idealism especially dialectic(critical discussion) which is very useful in the academic field.And as the aim of dialectical method is resolution of the disagreement through discussion and ultimately the search of truth.
Applications:
* From the perspective of a teacher,We can make dialectics with students not only for creating new idea or things but also solving the problems that they encounter.I accept the idea that everybody has his own idea,and all the idea should be in dialectic and find the idea that mostly approach to the truth.
* It would be the best way to show students that they have their own potential to learn, their skills that they don't notice by making firmly conversation with them , but not to teach and give direction all the time.
@Chie, good observations, encouraging students to have their own goals and thought processes, including the feeling that you do not always have to be right as the teacher is very empowering. @ Reshmi, yes, very significant distinction relating to Kant between duty and self-discipline. @Moe, clearly dialectic processes can have value in a classroom just as you note.
Date:10,06,2010 I have learned some words, which are very useful not only for education field but also for our life to be happier, such as truth,belief,and knowledge from the 2nd week of this class. First of all, I have learned that the truth is whatever exists.And nothing exist without ideas.Then, I liked one sentence from Dr. Andy " Each of us can access reality within our heart". Moreover,belief comes before knowledge.That's why,Idealists seemed to look for the reality of the deep of the heart.
Applications: As I understand from the lesson on this week, -teacher or administrator should find out the reality from their hearts and from their stakeholders also. -suppose that the more I pay attention to the external reality, the more I understand.Example question to pay attention,why do I like it? what does it have to do with me? why does it make me sad and happy -suppose that education is to bring out and lead out the children.
Thank you, Dr. Andy, for making the class very interesting. When I was reading about the idealism, I find that it is a difficult concept to grasp. The reading is not necessarily difficult or boring, but reading the materials by myself is not enough to get a complete picture. I read the reading assignment with my friend and first we found it kind of boring, then as we discussed it later, we got the main idea of the topic. But during the class, I found it very interesting and I want to learn more about the idealism as a Philosophy of Education. From today’s discussion, three things I find very valuable are: 1) Plato said that the best method of learning was dialectic. Dialectical Method is widely used as an educational technique. However, we cannot implement the dialectical method in our teaching, if we don’t have passion or mastery in the subject we are discussing. Teachers need to encourage students to ask questions and through questions students come to find the knowledge within and try to connect with new knowledge. Sometimes we preach about the importance of education to the students, but we don’t always practice what we preach. The field of education is always changing and evolving. Without new ideas, any society will stagnate. That’s why it is very important for teachers to keep up with new findings and discoveries so that we can be role models for our students how to become life long learners. 2) Teaching is not just delivering the knowledge to the students. Teaching is stimulating the student’s thoughts. My philosophy of education is that teachers are the facilitators of students. Teachers need to facilitate the students not only to gain the knowledge but also to aware of the purpose of learning. 3) According to St. Augustine, one can look within our souls for the true knowledge that exists there. When St. Augustine was talking from the Christian perspective, I believe it applies to teachers and learners. Teachers need to believe that all the students have the ability to learn to achieve their full potential.
-I like the Socratic way of teaching especially in the dialogue, wherein, teachers engage the students to discussion and let them conclude. In this way, they use their minds and exert effort to learn. At the same time, the students tend to be more motivated because it will allow them to air out their opinions according to what they've learned. Well, I think, most of the educators, not only me, apply this in their everyday teaching.
-I think the best way to teach our students or even our own children is to believe in the so called 'search for truth'(it separate ideas from manner).
-I also like Hegel's point of view when it comes to art because it is trying to draw the artistic part of our students. In the school where I'm teaching, majority of my students tend to be shy during pronunciation practice, and I discovered the best way for them to open their 'mouths', and that is through singing. Incorporating something like this in my lesson is not bad at all. For my students, this kind of experience is something new and interesting. Last year we also had a Drama Festival and it came out to be a successful one! Suprisingly, I saw my students acting and showing their hidden talents on stage.
@Aye Aye, getting a grasp on how key words connect to main ideas is a great way to improve your own learning. @Zarni, yes there is a clear need for a strong level of knowledge to allow effective use of a dialectic process. Also, the connection you make between St. Augustine's inner knowledge and the value of believing in the potential of each student is an important one for all of us. @Ms. Evan, yes, as Hegel correctly noted, we can never over value the arts, and if we under value them, we do a disservice not only to our students, but to the whole civilization.
Role of the teacher from the idealist prespective really caught my attention. Idealist favor teachers who are philosophically oriented, someone who can assist students in choosing important materials and can inspire them to improve their thinking. Socrates is one good example of a teacher following philosophical ideas who used to spend most of his time analyzing and discussing ideas with others and was deeply committed to action based on reflection. This reminds of Dr.Andy's weekly reflection where he encourages his students to participate by analyzing and discussing our ideas in this blog. I believe teacher's today still carry a lot of the idealist perspective and expects morality and character develpment fromt their students.
Applicaiton - As a teacher, I would continue applying idealist mindset where I would set myeself as a good example for the students (role model).
- I would also encourage my students to ask questions and provide a suitable learning environment.
- I would educate my students to resist temptations and apply themselves to useful task as a part of character development in school.
In week two,we discussed about western philosophy and set group in each topic.My group got comparison means we have to know both of western and eastern philosophy to discuss.It makes me feel nervous and excited at the same time
Application:
This topic makes me have more information and more clear with the foundation.
I can apply this topic to my student as idealism and truth
Explanation of some friend is so good.The climate in class is relaxed.
After the discussion in class, I realize how heavily idealism can and has influenced education. Although from the later part in the reading the passage gave many examples of criticisms towards idealism in education, I feel that there is a lot that can be drawn from idealism that can help me – as an aspiring teacher in the classroom. Before that let me give a bit of background so that I can explain how philosophies of idealisms are involved in the places where I teach. I am currently a teacher’s assistant in a Japanese bilingual kindergarten and I am currently involved in a church youth ministry where I lead a small group of kids aged 12 – 13. Within my week I have a lot of encounters with teaching and I can start to see where western philosophies of idealism are applied in my context.
1. Categorical imperatives are applied at the kindergarten where I teach everyday. I gathered, from the discussion in class, that categorical imperatives are ideas that always work. If this is applied, everything you do has to become a universal truth, in other words it must be true for everything. We are told at my workplace that if we do something for one student, we have to do it for every student in the class. For example, if we wanted to reward a student with a gift for good behavior, the entire class must be rewarded with something also. This for me is an example of categorical imperatives being applied.
2. At the youth ministry where I am at, the form of the dialectic is used often when we discuss issues in small groups. However we borrow from St.Augustine because in the church where I am from we believe that the higher truth comes from the Bible which ultimately is the word of God. In our small groups we discuss what the message is about and how we can apply the truth of it in the lives of the kids. The message is essentially from the Bible, and our dialectics are usually geared to helping the kids discuss and find ways they can apply it daily- at least that’s true in my small group. In essence helping the kids find the truth in the message themselves.
3. Finally character education, this is one example of idealism trait in education that has been criticized- according to the book- but I feel that it is important to be applied, especially in early education. I think that ultimately we want our students to be good people who can be lifelong learners who contribute to society. I feel that having a set of ideals or standards that kids can look up to can help that process. Now I know that this aspect has been criticized, as I have mentioned earlier, in the reading. According to the passage, critics say that following a set of rules doesn’t build good character. However in kindergarten, I say to the kids, “Don’t push” and if a kid askes why I would explain to them that they wouldn’t like it if it happened to them- much like the example given in class. I feel that this is an important aspect of early education that has to be applied.
As a novice teacher, I would say that despite the criticisms towards idealism in education, I feel that it laid important ground work for the field. The points above are examples of how I see the philosophies of education applied.
@Saturday, some nervousness can be normal with new ideas and of course also learning in a second language. But its good to know this is combined with excitement about new learning! @Micah, very informative! There is certainly a strong connection with these ideas to missionary work of various types. Your application of the categorical imperative with younger students is highly instructive.
From the lectures, and discussion in the class,I learned many important philosophical ideas which influenced today’s education. One idea which interests me is that of Rene Descartes "I Think, therefore I am". Here he talks about indubitable and senses of human beings. I personally feel that this is really important and everyone needs to see things to believe the presence of it.
3 Apllications:
1. In order to teach kids something new we can use this philosophy. It is easier for the kids to understand something new when you can show them that thing. I have been able to witness that a young boy was crying as he couldnt understand the sounds of the english alphabets, and then his mother actually made different things with clay and kept it infront of each alphabet that it starts with.
2. I would even apply it to people who dont understand what the other person is saying.
3. I may also apply to teach a different language to people.
Sorry Dr.Andy, just a clarification on your comment about my reflection about catagorical imperatives. What do you mean by highly instructional? -Micah
Dear Dr.Andrew, It's my first class in your class,My english not good enough to keep catch your words,so I didn't get many information in your class,but I will try my best to improve my english to read more books.hope next time I can understand more.Thanks!
I was reminded again my role as a teacher as we studied Idealism this week through Kant's philosophy of “the idea of humanity and the whole destiny of mankind” (Ozman and Craver). As teachers, we have the responsibility to effectively deliver foundation knowledge and skills to the students as we are equipping and shaping them for the present and future world. Students need to have disciplined establishment for the foundation of different knowledge. However, the knowledge and skills will only make sense when they are being challenged to think, to expose and to experience. When their thoughts and desire to look for answers have been triggered, it is believed that lifelong learning can be initiated. However, students really need space, time and freedom in order to expose and experience what they had learned. Therefore my 3 applications will focus on how can we effectively deliver the knowledge yet at the same time, challenging the learners to experience on their own?
(1) Simplify and Summarize the foundation knowledge: try to simplify and summarize the content so that the students can understand and remember the key points for that lesson.
(2) Initiate discussion by encouraging students to ask question: One thing that I found interesting while teaching music culture of different country in the class was when I asked the students to create 3 questions from the given article. It was really interesting that students will ask questions looking at the different aspects of the culture and how they were willing to go search for answers that cannot be found in the article. However, I found that this method more applicable and suitable for higher elementary, middle school and high school.
(3) Connecting the foundation knowledge to everyday life: Students need to see the relationship between the knowledge they learn and the life they live. If they are not able to see the connection there, they will not see the value of learning and searching for new knowledge. Students will find it interesting if teachers are able to guide them in discovering the relationship between knowledge and life.
@Zhangya, keep working at it and ASK questions! @jean, thought provoking as always, your applications are excellent, especially the emphasis on simplifying meaning which is so critical at any level (including the Masters level as I am sure you noticed bin class!)
After reading the Western Idealism and Education chapter written by Howard A. Ozmon and Samuel M. Craver, I came across many idealists and philosophers with their compact ideas. Among those renowned philosophers, the one who influences my emotion is Plato because he, in my point of view, is not only an incredible philosopher but also a great educator. He applied many theories and curriculum that led bright students from concrete data toward abstract thinking. Eventhough his ideas mainly widespread in western educational system, some of his theories or ideas are also quoted in eastern educational system.
Week two class was very interested indeed. I came to know clearly about idealism related to the impact of education. First, I realize that education is the introduction of total reality according to Plato and St. Augustine idealism. Plato applied the use of dialectic through critical thinking in order to find out the truth (the universal truth). Similarly, from the idea of St.Augustine, education is not to stuff, but to bring out the truth within one's soul. So, I realize that the relationship of education is from teacher to student, parents to children and friends to friends. Somehow, we are educating each other. I totally agree the St. Augustine's religious idealism that the search of truth is the search of God because even I think from all aspects the real perfect truths come from God. Furthermore, Kant’s categorical imperative is one of the most important characters for educators. - Encourage students to verify the matter by criticizing and adjusting. -Apply useful facilities and create suitable environment for helping students to get the real education. - Ask questions and welcome questions to get the ultimate point (truth) in discussion.
from Toronto, Canada at my niece's place... @Ms. Hnin, good, your connections to relationships and duties also echo Confucian teachings, which will form part of the focus of this weeks discussions. Andy
I have learned many philosophical ideas but I'm interested in Augustin idealism.I like he said that we should look within our souls from true knowledge and we must first believe.I want to learn more about soul which come from God. As I study in EA programme,I think all educational managements should apply based on awareness, detachment sincerity,honesty and kindness
Applications:
-To build the foundation of education with true knowledge and enhancing ethical behaviour of students.
-Always fear nothings,Try to keep ourselves clam and our mind clear at all time during emergencies because all management have to face with many problems in each day. (sometimes I was panic when I faced with problems )
-To being built student to become the leadership in the future ( It can focus on student's ability )
from London, Ontario, Canada at my sister's place... @Rossakorn, very true, an inward focus often gives us the resources to solve a problem; whereas always looking for outside causes can lead to blame and negativity. Andy
week two reflections and thoughts, As for me, week two was very interesting class because of western philosophy and discussion about them. Firstly, i could know about the western philosophy . Moreover,i have learned many things from our discussion about western philosophy and we discussed about how to apply all of these philosophies to education and how to develope students by using these philosophies.
For me, there were many surprising points of the 2nd lecture such as: - How the words "idealism" and "idealist" have changed connotations from positive to negative over the years. - Plato's refusal to teach the dialectic to students under 30 years of age or those who were deemed unable to master it even if they tried. - The amount of parallels that contemporary education has with the ancient Greek philosophical methodology and thought system (which is extremely amazing when one takes into account that the Greek society of then had different religion, culture, way of life, etc.). - The logic behind Descartes' philosophy.
However, the point that I found most interesting was St. Augustine’s belief that you can really never teach another person, but instead show the way to access the reality within. Even though, St. Augustine was promoting education based on religion, I believe that this is still applicable to our contemporary times as described below:
1) I (and probably every other teacher) get unmotivated students from time to time who present a challenge. With such students, evoking interest in the subject matter and accessing their own common sense and internal logic with appropriate activities (rather than rote lecturing) is a better teaching option.
2) Trusting the students to do the right thing after appropriate guidance is another important point related to this. Some of us may not be willing to automatically extend trust to our students in this manner and learning to do so would be beneficial.
3) St. Augustine promoted “learning for all” as opposed to Plato’s “learning for some”. I believe that my own thoughts and beliefs would be more aligned with the latter for purposes of practicality. I encounter students choosing career paths that are completely incompatible with their skills, intelligence and areas of interest. In the future, I would stress the importance of career counseling for my students more and more.
JIN XIN (Venus) Reflection 1 2010.06.09 In this class, we are mainly talking about the idealism and education, especially the idealism as a philosophy of education. Here are some points that enlighten me most. The Allegory of the Cave vividly describe the beginning of our education is to loosen ourselves from our chains and a philosopher who has advanced into the realm of true knowledge, has a duty to the cave to bring enlightenment to the others, doing this even in the face of adversity or death. This western allegory really enlightens me as a teacher’s sacred duty. In another interesting myth is that Plato conjectured that human soul once had true knowledge but lost it by being placed in a material body, which distorted and corrupted that knowledge and people have the arduous task of trying to remember what they once knew. This can be done by transcending matter with the dialectic (or critical discussion). One religious idealism comes from Augustine was that one cannot teach another in the tradition sense but can direct the learner with words or other symbols or “signs”. Learning must come from within, and all true knowledge ultimately comes from God. The important idealist aims of education are not only the search for truth, but also the personal discipline and steadfast characters. Because what we need in society is not just the literate, knowledgeable person, but also the good man. Idealists do believe that any study of great books should be undertaken with experienced leadership and with an emphasis on the comprehension of ideas rather than on the mere memorization and classification of information. Application: 1. Plato strongly believed that art needed to be regulated and even censored so that it portrayed things in a more virtuous light. In this way, art could become a useful part of the educational process. When I teach the primary four students Chinese, I use rhythm, singing, dancing, which work out that they accept the knowledge in a much more funny way and can easily remember it. 2. The line of Kant thought that education should consist of discipline, culture, discretion, and moral training. That is the key point when I teach my student, not only just teach them Chinese language, but also some Chinese culture. Each time I give them Chinese class or meet them, I use very traditional and vivid life way to show them how to greeting the teacher in a proper way. When you shake hands with others, your gestures and facial expression should be in a proper way. Because I teach Thai kids, I get the chance to observe some Thai discipline from the common days. 3. In questioning and discussion sessions during which the dialectic in operates, the teacher should help students see alternatives they might otherwise have missed. I teach a international student in private tutor, he was sometimes careless when writing Chinese, I never tell him where he was wrong directly, intand of which I ask him about his understanding about these words and may explain more when he don’t know. In this way, he will quickly find his mistakes through his observation and checking by himself.
Dear Dr. Andy, I don't know weather I am valid to reflect to you by this date or not. Through the chapter, generally the idealists believe that ideas are the only true reality. Then therefore, through Dr. Andy had lectured on the second week, amongst the idealists, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church St. Augustine’( 354-430 A.D. ) statement, divisions of the universe parallel to Plato’s schemata of the World of Ideas and the World of Matter=the City of God and the City of Man means to me that from the field of education and schooling we launch and learn through and then to the city of God the only true reality we are proceeding. Applications; - I believe that Education and Idealism shall be together. -have come to know that teachers should not only understand the various stages of learning but also maintain constant concern about the ultimate purposes of learning. -due to the Allegory of the Cave; the point is that neither philosopher nor educator should learn by themselves.
@Dr. Murat, yes, working with a student's internal logic system, once you can discover it, is very powerful and motivating as it accesses their own fram of reference. @Venus, true, cultural linkages are critical to learning, and song, dance etc. are good ways to access culture. @Markokee, good interpretation of the cave allegory, I had not really cosidered it in that light but it makes perfect sense!
In the class, we leant about Idealism. I have leaned some thought from western philosopher, like Search the truth of Scorates and Plato;I think therefore I am of Descartes, etc. Pleasured I had know the develoment process of western philosopy. It's for a long time that from idealism to materialism. As I know the materialism based on idealism could be came. Even though the idealism philosophers' thought tend to absoulte or religion,but this is the necessary process through the truth.
Application: -As a teacher, we have to qualify and make the students trust you. Because in the field of education, the students not only learn the knowledge from the instrutors but also ethics or thought. The teachers thought can be influence the students. So, in my eyes, teacher teach the thought,I meant, the position thought more important than knowledge. - pay more attention to students interested.In this period, if the teacher use the moethod like imperative, may be will ignore students' strong suit or make the students have negative affect. -equality to treat each student.
Eva. By the way, I am sorry to post the comment so late.
I enjoyed reading the materials and the sharing of our classmates posted for week 2: Western Philosophy. I am deeply appreciated Dr. Andy and everyone for sharing your ideas and thoughts. It had helped me a lot, especially when I am unable to attend some class discussion.
Des Cartes said: “I think, therefore I am.” It’s amazing to see how education had started from a religious perspective, character education. I am proud to see that even though many school have taken it out of their program, but our school still have. I think a good character builder is also a well-rounded person. The idealists have also shown examples of how we’re all potential learner, rich or poor, young or old can learn according to our abilities. It is interesting to see how education had developed and made progression throughout history. Thanks to Plato and Socrates, are our most influential on our educational system and that people learn according to their work as in the university to this day.
Application: 1. I should not only teach my students to learn from the textbook, but to continue with application projects according to their interest. 2. Offer opportunity for my students to be creative in learning how to apply into their life situation. 3. Plan a fieldtrip for my students to visit other school in the community to practice their global citizenship, reaching out to help others around them.
40 comments:
When: 09.06.2010
Today we discussed the western philosophy and how it can impact education. We were introduced to a few representatives of idealism (Socrates, Plato, Kant, Descartes).
I have learned a few good points of idealism:
- constant development of people in order to find the truth;
- education for everyone (I was surprised to learn that idealists even in ancient times believed that women and men should have equal access to education);
- idealists seemed to understand that people had different abilities, but they believed that all should get the same opportunity at the start - those "more clever" can further their education, those less able can help the society in other ways (manual labor for example) - we follow it today throughout the world with universities and vocational schools for example.
- idealists encouraged people to develop themselves in order to find the truth, they encourage lifetime learning.
Applications:
As I study E.A I will look at it from the admin point of view.
- equal opportunities for poor and rich, girls and boys - education to all at lower level;
- different types of school (middle and higher level) to make sure that those less able can still be a great asset to society (vocational schools mentioned already). Also special schools for gifted in certain areas. Schools or programs that focus on, for example, Mathematics, English etc.
- encourage people to study and improve themselves throughout their lives not only at school age. Provide opportunities for training and development for adults, for all the age and social groups.
Thank you,
Marcin Kempka
Today Dr.Andy mentioned about the cultural effect on his wife that,to accept all the ideas coming from somebody from a higher position or economic level and not to disagree with them even if she doesn't think the same way.I also have some similar examples from my Thai friends too. As a teacher I think I have the chance to encourage my students to express themselves freely.
Applications:
1)Clarify to my students that anytime they don't agree what I am teaching or disagree with my ideas about the topic,they will be welcomed to discuss the point with me and tell them that maybe by this way both sides will benefit and learn something from each other.
2)Make an inquiry through my classes and ask students to write the things that they are not happy with in my lessons and write about their alternative ideas.
3)As an activity and to challenge the younger ones; get smaller grades to evaluate higher grades for one of their presentations.
V.Gaye Sadic
Gaye and Marcin, it is evident that the two of you have found specific aspects of our discussion that apply to your particular situation and have direct valuable applications. Excellent! Andy
From the reading, lecture, and discussion we had in the class, we learned important philosophical ideas which influenced today’s education. One idea which interests me is that “a true education occurs only within the individual self (Ozmon and Craver).” For idealists, self-realization is an important purpose of education. To them all education is self-education, and they focus on self-directed activities. According to idealists, learning occurs within individual learners, and teachers cannot force them to learn. However, of course teachers guide learners and influence their learning. I think this idea shows that a role of a teacher as a facilitator. This idea also connects to the idea that the ultimate purpose of education is to help students to become independent and self-regulated learners (Some of us learned this in CI 6142).
3 applications
-If we want learning to occur, we need to motivate students first. In the first class, it is helpful to clarify the purpose and goal of the class. Also I think it is important for students to have their own goals regarding the subject. For example, at my university where I teach, each student has a different goal and interest even though they are majoring in the same subject. Teachers should know a specific purpose or goal of each student to support their learning.
-In the class, rather than giving lectures all the time and giving students all the instructions of what to do next, we can give learners some freedom to choose or decide what they want to learn about the subject. For example, in a project work, students decide topics and work in a group, and teachers work as facilitators.
-It maybe helpful to teach students how to learn by themselves to promote self-learning outside of the classroom. In my class, I showed my students some useful websites where they can study Japanese through internet by themselves (and it is a fun website☺).
Thank you for the lecture, Andy. (And for interesting discussion, everyone.)
Chie Katsuda
The text on idealism was very interesting. All the way through as I read it, it made a lot of sense. The ideas had their own origin and sensibility based on that time and place. However, the text at the end on Education by Kant was the most interesting bit for me. I really liked how he showed a difference between obedience in terms of a child and a youth where for one it is discipline while for the latter is it duty. Students need to development a sense of duty in them which comes out of an understanding of why they do it. It is at first the teacher’s responsibility to provoke the thought in their students but ultimately it has to come from within the students.
Applications
1. Respecting the National Anthem: Children do it because they are told to but the youth should do it because they have developed a sense of pride in their country.
2. Key words- Sorry, Please and Thank you: These words have meaning as a youth and are used more unconsciously while children mostly would only use these words when an adult is around.
3. Responsibility towards Parents: A child does it out of love but youths do it out a sense of responsibility, love, respect and gratefulness which comes within.
Reshmi, I like what you said about students developing a sense of duty. I often see it here in Thailand 0 students do not really respect certain things - they do it because they are scared (in case of some teachers) or they are forced to do it. This is a big problem nowadays, at least at schools I have taught.
So I agree with what you said here 100%:
"Students need to development a sense of duty in them which comes out of an understanding of why they do it. It is at first the teacher’s responsibility to provoke the thought in their students but ultimately it has to come from within the students."
Cheers,
Marcin
Yesterday, As Dr.Andy lectured the western Philosophy with good examples,I was very interested in idealism especially dialectic(critical discussion) which is very useful in the academic field.And as the aim of dialectical method is resolution of the disagreement through discussion and ultimately the search of truth.
Applications:
* From the perspective of a teacher,We can make dialectics with students not only for creating new idea or things but also solving the problems that they encounter.I accept the idea that everybody has his own idea,and all the idea should be in dialectic and find the idea that mostly approach to the truth.
* It would be the best way to show students that they have their own potential to learn, their skills that they don't notice by making firmly conversation with them , but not to teach and give direction all the time.
@Chie, good observations, encouraging students to have their own goals and thought processes, including the feeling that you do not always have to be right as the teacher is very empowering.
@ Reshmi, yes, very significant distinction relating to Kant between duty and self-discipline.
@Moe, clearly dialectic processes can have value in a classroom just as you note.
Date:10,06,2010
I have learned some words, which are very useful not only for education field but also for our life to be happier, such as truth,belief,and knowledge from the 2nd week of this class.
First of all, I have learned that the truth is whatever exists.And nothing exist without ideas.Then, I liked one sentence from Dr. Andy " Each of us can access reality within our heart". Moreover,belief comes before knowledge.That's why,Idealists seemed to look for the reality of the deep of the heart.
Applications:
As I understand from the lesson on this week,
-teacher or administrator should find out the reality from their hearts and from their stakeholders also.
-suppose that the more I pay attention to the external reality, the more I understand.Example question to pay attention,why do I like it? what does it have to do with me? why does it make me sad and happy
-suppose that education is to bring out and lead out the children.
Thanks!
Aye Aye Khaine
June 9, 2010
Thank you, Dr. Andy, for making the class very interesting. When I was reading about the idealism, I find that it is a difficult concept to grasp. The reading is not necessarily difficult or boring, but reading the materials by myself is not enough to get a complete picture. I read the reading assignment with my friend and first we found it kind of boring, then as we discussed it later, we got the main idea of the topic. But during the class, I found it very interesting and I want to learn more about the idealism as a Philosophy of Education.
From today’s discussion, three things I find very valuable are:
1) Plato said that the best method of learning was dialectic. Dialectical Method is widely used as an educational technique. However, we cannot implement the dialectical method in our teaching, if we don’t have passion or mastery in the subject we are discussing. Teachers need to encourage students to ask questions and through questions students come to find the knowledge within and try to connect with new knowledge. Sometimes we preach about the importance of education to the students, but we don’t always practice what we preach. The field of education is always changing and evolving. Without new ideas, any society will stagnate. That’s why it is very important for teachers to keep up with new findings and discoveries so that we can be role models for our students how to become life long learners.
2) Teaching is not just delivering the knowledge to the students. Teaching is stimulating the student’s thoughts. My philosophy of education is that teachers are the facilitators of students. Teachers need to facilitate the students not only to gain the knowledge but also to aware of the purpose of learning.
3) According to St. Augustine, one can look within our souls for the true knowledge that exists there. When St. Augustine was talking from the Christian perspective, I believe it applies to teachers and learners. Teachers need to believe that all the students have the ability to learn to achieve their full potential.
Zarni Lwin
-I like the Socratic way of teaching especially in the dialogue, wherein, teachers engage the students to discussion and let them conclude. In this way, they use their minds and exert effort to learn. At the same time, the students tend to be more motivated because it will allow them to air out their opinions according to what they've learned. Well, I think, most of the educators, not only me, apply this in their everyday teaching.
-I think the best way to teach our students or even our own children is to believe in the so called 'search for truth'(it separate ideas from manner).
-I also like Hegel's point of view when it comes to art because it is trying to draw the artistic part of our students. In the school where I'm teaching, majority of my students tend to be shy during pronunciation practice, and I discovered the best way for them to open their 'mouths', and that is through singing. Incorporating something like this in my lesson is not bad at all. For my students, this kind of experience is something new and interesting. Last year we also had a Drama Festival and it came out to be a successful one! Suprisingly, I saw my students acting and showing their hidden talents on stage.
@Aye Aye, getting a grasp on how key words connect to main ideas is a great way to improve your own learning.
@Zarni, yes there is a clear need for a strong level of knowledge to allow effective use of a dialectic process. Also, the connection you make between St. Augustine's inner knowledge and the value of believing in the potential of each student is an important one for all of us.
@Ms. Evan, yes, as Hegel correctly noted, we can never over value the arts, and if we under value them, we do a disservice not only to our students, but to the whole civilization.
Role of the teacher from the idealist prespective really caught my attention. Idealist favor teachers who are philosophically oriented, someone who can assist students in choosing important materials and can inspire them to improve their thinking. Socrates is one good example of a teacher following philosophical ideas who used to spend most of his time analyzing and discussing ideas with others and was deeply committed to action based on reflection. This reminds of Dr.Andy's weekly reflection where he encourages his students to participate by analyzing and discussing our ideas in this blog. I believe teacher's today still carry a lot of the idealist perspective and expects morality and character develpment fromt their students.
Applicaiton
- As a teacher, I would continue applying idealist mindset where I would set myeself as a good example for the students (role model).
- I would also encourage my students to ask questions and provide a suitable learning environment.
- I would educate my students to resist temptations and apply themselves to useful task as a part of character development in school.
@Neet, absolutely! Idealism is still critical in education, and perhaps even more so given the cynicism prevalent in many areas of present society.
In week two,we discussed about western philosophy and set group in each topic.My group got comparison means we have to know both of western and eastern philosophy to discuss.It makes me feel nervous and excited at the same time
Application:
This topic makes me have more information and more clear with the foundation.
I can apply this topic to my student as idealism and truth
Explanation of some friend is so good.The climate in class is relaxed.
Thank you, TC
Phasupa W.
Week 2 Reflection
After the discussion in class, I realize how heavily idealism can and has influenced education. Although from the later part in the reading the passage gave many examples of criticisms towards idealism in education, I feel that there is a lot that can be drawn from idealism that can help me – as an aspiring teacher in the classroom.
Before that let me give a bit of background so that I can explain how philosophies of idealisms are involved in the places where I teach. I am currently a teacher’s assistant in a Japanese bilingual kindergarten and I am currently involved in a church youth ministry where I lead a small group of kids aged 12 – 13. Within my week I have a lot of encounters with teaching and I can start to see where western philosophies of idealism are applied in my context.
1. Categorical imperatives are applied at the kindergarten where I teach everyday. I gathered, from the discussion in class, that categorical imperatives are ideas that always work. If this is applied, everything you do has to become a universal truth, in other words it must be true for everything. We are told at my workplace that if we do something for one student, we have to do it for every student in the class. For example, if we wanted to reward a student with a gift for good behavior, the entire class must be rewarded with something also. This for me is an example of categorical imperatives being applied.
2. At the youth ministry where I am at, the form of the dialectic is used often when we discuss issues in small groups. However we borrow from St.Augustine because in the church where I am from we believe that the higher truth comes from the Bible which ultimately is the word of God. In our small groups we discuss what the message is about and how we can apply the truth of it in the lives of the kids. The message is essentially from the Bible, and our dialectics are usually geared to helping the kids discuss and find ways they can apply it daily- at least that’s true in my small group. In essence helping the kids find the truth in the message themselves.
3. Finally character education, this is one example of idealism trait in education that has been criticized- according to the book- but I feel that it is important to be applied, especially in early education. I think that ultimately we want our students to be good people who can be lifelong learners who contribute to society. I feel that having a set of ideals or standards that kids can look up to can help that process. Now I know that this aspect has been criticized, as I have mentioned earlier, in the reading. According to the passage, critics say that following a set of rules doesn’t build good character. However in kindergarten, I say to the kids, “Don’t push” and if a kid askes why I would explain to them that they wouldn’t like it if it happened to them- much like the example given in class. I feel that this is an important aspect of early education that has to be applied.
As a novice teacher, I would say that despite the criticisms towards idealism in education, I feel that it laid important ground work for the field. The points above are examples of how I see the philosophies of education applied.
Micah
@Saturday, some nervousness can be normal with new ideas and of course also learning in a second language. But its good to know this is combined with excitement about new learning!
@Micah, very informative! There is certainly a strong connection with these ideas to missionary work of various types. Your application of the categorical imperative with younger students is highly instructive.
From the lectures, and discussion in the class,I learned many important philosophical ideas which influenced today’s education. One idea which interests me is that of Rene Descartes "I Think, therefore I am". Here he talks about indubitable and senses of human beings. I personally feel that this is really important and everyone needs to see things to believe the presence of it.
3 Apllications:
1. In order to teach kids something new we can use this philosophy. It is easier for the kids to understand something new when you can show them that thing.
I have been able to witness that a young boy was crying as he couldnt understand the sounds of the english alphabets, and then his mother actually made different things with clay and kept it infront of each alphabet that it starts with.
2. I would even apply it to people who dont understand what the other person is saying.
3. I may also apply to teach a different language to people.
Sorry Dr.Andy, just a clarification on your comment about my reflection about catagorical imperatives. What do you mean by highly instructional?
-Micah
@Manpreet, sound example of how to apply Descartes' ideas.
@Micah, it means that your point is something we can all learn and derive value from.
Dear Dr.Andrew,
It's my first class in your class,My english not good enough to keep catch your words,so I didn't get many information in your class,but I will try my best to improve my english to read more books.hope next time I can understand more.Thanks!
zhangya
I was reminded again my role as a teacher as we studied Idealism this week through Kant's philosophy of “the idea of humanity and the whole destiny of mankind” (Ozman and Craver). As teachers, we have the responsibility to effectively deliver foundation knowledge and skills to the students as we are equipping and shaping them for the present and future world. Students need to have disciplined establishment for the foundation of different knowledge. However, the knowledge and skills will only make sense when they are being challenged to think, to expose and to experience. When their thoughts and desire to look for answers have been triggered, it is believed that lifelong learning can be initiated. However, students really need space, time and freedom in order to expose and experience what they had learned. Therefore my 3 applications will focus on how can we effectively deliver the knowledge yet at the same time, challenging the learners to experience on their own?
(1) Simplify and Summarize the foundation knowledge: try to simplify and summarize the content so that the students can understand and remember the key points for that lesson.
(2) Initiate discussion by encouraging students to ask question: One thing that I found interesting while teaching music culture of different country in the class was when I asked the students to create 3 questions from the given article. It was really interesting that students will ask questions looking at the different aspects of the culture and how they were willing to go search for answers that cannot be found in the article. However, I found that this method more applicable and suitable for higher elementary, middle school and high school.
(3) Connecting the foundation knowledge to everyday life: Students need to see the relationship between the knowledge they learn and the life they live. If they are not able to see the connection there, they will not see the value of learning and searching for new knowledge. Students will find it interesting if teachers are able to guide them in discovering the relationship between knowledge and life.
Jean Chang
@Zhangya, keep working at it and ASK questions!
@jean, thought provoking as always, your applications are excellent, especially the emphasis on simplifying meaning which is so critical at any level (including the Masters level as I am sure you noticed bin class!)
After reading the Western Idealism and Education chapter written by Howard A. Ozmon and Samuel M. Craver, I came across many idealists and philosophers with their compact ideas. Among those renowned philosophers, the one who influences my emotion is Plato because he, in my point of view, is not only an incredible philosopher but also a great educator. He applied many theories and curriculum that led bright students from concrete data toward abstract thinking. Eventhough his ideas mainly widespread in western educational system, some of his theories or ideas are also quoted in eastern educational system.
from Taipei airport...
@Dennis, good, work on adding some appications to next reflection, Thanks, Andy
Week two class was very interested indeed. I came to know clearly about idealism related to the impact of education. First, I realize that education is the introduction of total reality according to Plato and St. Augustine idealism. Plato applied the use of dialectic through critical thinking in order to find out the truth (the universal truth). Similarly, from the idea of St.Augustine, education is not to stuff, but to bring out the truth within one's soul. So, I realize that the relationship of education is from teacher to student, parents to children and friends to friends. Somehow, we are educating each other. I totally agree the St. Augustine's religious idealism that the search of truth is the search of God because even I think from all aspects the real perfect truths come from God. Furthermore, Kant’s categorical imperative is one of the most important characters for educators.
- Encourage students to verify the matter by criticizing and adjusting.
-Apply useful facilities and create suitable environment for helping students to get the real education.
- Ask questions and welcome questions to get the ultimate point (truth) in discussion.
from Toronto, Canada at my niece's place...
@Ms. Hnin, good, your connections to relationships and duties also echo Confucian teachings, which will form part of the focus of this weeks discussions. Andy
I have learned many philosophical ideas but I'm interested in Augustin idealism.I like he said that we should look within our souls from true knowledge and we must first believe.I want to learn more about soul which come from God.
As I study in EA programme,I think all educational managements should apply based on awareness, detachment
sincerity,honesty and kindness
Applications:
-To build the foundation of education with true knowledge and enhancing ethical behaviour of students.
-Always fear nothings,Try to keep ourselves clam and our mind clear at all time during emergencies because all management have to face with many problems in each day. (sometimes I was panic when I faced with problems )
-To being built student to become the leadership in the future ( It can focus on student's ability )
Ms.Rossakorn
Thank you, Mr.Andy
from London, Ontario, Canada at my sister's place...
@Rossakorn, very true, an inward focus often gives us the resources to solve a problem; whereas always looking for outside causes can lead to blame and negativity. Andy
week two reflections and thoughts,
As for me, week two was very interesting class because of western philosophy and discussion about them. Firstly, i could know about the western philosophy . Moreover,i have learned many things from our discussion about western philosophy and we discussed about how to apply all of these philosophies to education and how to develope students by using these philosophies.
@John, good, work on adding some applications to next reflection, Thanks, Andy
For me, there were many surprising points of the 2nd lecture such as:
- How the words "idealism" and "idealist" have changed connotations from positive to negative over the years.
- Plato's refusal to teach the dialectic to students under 30 years of age or those who were deemed unable to master it even if they tried.
- The amount of parallels that contemporary education has with the ancient Greek philosophical methodology and thought system (which is extremely amazing when one takes into account that the Greek society of then had different religion, culture, way of life, etc.).
- The logic behind Descartes' philosophy.
However, the point that I found most interesting was St. Augustine’s belief that you can really never teach another person, but instead show the way to access the reality within. Even though, St. Augustine was promoting education based on religion, I believe that this is still applicable to our contemporary times as described below:
1) I (and probably every other teacher) get unmotivated students from time to time who present a challenge. With such students, evoking interest in the subject matter and accessing their own common sense and internal logic with appropriate activities (rather than rote lecturing) is a better teaching option.
2) Trusting the students to do the right thing after appropriate guidance is another important point related to this. Some of us may not be willing to automatically extend trust to our students in this manner and learning to do so would be beneficial.
3) St. Augustine promoted “learning for all” as opposed to Plato’s “learning for some”. I believe that my own thoughts and beliefs would be more aligned with the latter for purposes of practicality. I encounter students choosing career paths that are completely incompatible with their skills, intelligence and areas of interest. In the future, I would stress the importance of career counseling for my students more and more.
Kind regards,
Dr. Murat Kiymaz
JIN XIN (Venus)
Reflection 1 2010.06.09
In this class, we are mainly talking about the idealism and education, especially the idealism as a philosophy of education. Here are some points that enlighten me most.
The Allegory of the Cave vividly describe the beginning of our education is to loosen ourselves from our chains and a philosopher who has advanced into the realm of true knowledge, has a duty to the cave to bring enlightenment to the others, doing this even in the face of adversity or death. This western allegory really enlightens me as a teacher’s sacred duty.
In another interesting myth is that Plato conjectured that human soul once had true knowledge but lost it by being placed in a material body, which distorted and corrupted that knowledge and people have the arduous task of trying to remember what they once knew. This can be done by transcending matter with the dialectic (or critical discussion).
One religious idealism comes from Augustine was that one cannot teach another in the tradition sense but can direct the learner with words or other symbols or “signs”. Learning must come from within, and all true knowledge ultimately comes from God.
The important idealist aims of education are not only the search for truth, but also the personal discipline and steadfast characters. Because what we need in society is not just the literate, knowledgeable person, but also the good man.
Idealists do believe that any study of great books should be undertaken with experienced leadership and with an emphasis on the comprehension of ideas rather than on the mere memorization and classification of information.
Application:
1. Plato strongly believed that art needed to be regulated and even censored so that it portrayed things in a more virtuous light. In this way, art could become a useful part of the educational process.
When I teach the primary four students Chinese, I use rhythm, singing, dancing, which work out that they accept the knowledge in a much more funny way and can easily remember it.
2. The line of Kant thought that education should consist of discipline, culture, discretion, and moral training.
That is the key point when I teach my student, not only just teach them Chinese language, but also some Chinese culture. Each time I give them Chinese class or meet them, I use very traditional and vivid life way to show them how to greeting the teacher in a proper way. When you shake hands with others, your gestures and facial expression should be in a proper way. Because I teach Thai kids, I get the chance to observe some Thai discipline from the common days.
3. In questioning and discussion sessions during which the dialectic in operates, the teacher should help students see alternatives they might otherwise have missed.
I teach a international student in private tutor, he was sometimes careless when writing Chinese, I never tell him where he was wrong directly, intand of which I ask him about his understanding about these words and may explain more when he don’t know. In this way, he will quickly find his mistakes through his observation and checking by himself.
Dear Dr. Andy, I don't know weather I am valid to reflect to you by this date or not.
Through the chapter, generally the idealists believe that ideas are the only true reality.
Then therefore, through Dr. Andy had lectured on the second week, amongst the idealists, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church St. Augustine’( 354-430 A.D. ) statement, divisions of the universe parallel to Plato’s schemata of the World of Ideas and the World of Matter=the City of God and the City of Man means to me that from the field of education and schooling we launch and learn through and then to the city of God the only true reality we are proceeding.
Applications;
- I believe that Education and Idealism shall be together.
-have come to know that teachers should not only understand the various stages of learning but also maintain constant concern about the ultimate purposes of learning.
-due to the Allegory of the Cave; the point is that neither philosopher nor educator should learn by themselves.
Markokee. Makk
@Dr. Murat, yes, working with a student's internal logic system, once you can discover it, is very powerful and motivating as it accesses their own fram of reference.
@Venus, true, cultural linkages are critical to learning, and song, dance etc. are good ways to access culture.
@Markokee, good interpretation of the cave allegory, I had not really cosidered it in that light but it makes perfect sense!
In the class, we leant about Idealism.
I have leaned some thought from western philosopher, like Search the truth of Scorates and Plato;I think therefore I am of Descartes, etc. Pleasured I had know the develoment process of western philosopy. It's for a long time that from idealism to materialism. As I know the materialism based on idealism could be came.
Even though the idealism philosophers' thought tend to absoulte or religion,but this is the necessary process through the truth.
Application:
-As a teacher, we have to qualify and make the students trust you. Because in the field of education, the students not only learn the knowledge from the instrutors but also ethics or thought. The teachers thought can be influence the students. So, in my eyes, teacher teach the thought,I meant, the position thought more important than knowledge.
- pay more attention to students interested.In this period, if the teacher use the moethod like imperative, may be will ignore students' strong suit or make the students have negative affect.
-equality to treat each student.
Eva.
By the way, I am sorry to post the comment so late.
@Eva reflection is Ok and you are not late, Andy
I enjoyed reading the materials and the sharing of our classmates posted for week 2: Western Philosophy. I am deeply appreciated Dr. Andy and everyone for sharing your ideas and thoughts. It had helped me a lot, especially when I am unable to attend some class discussion.
Des Cartes said: “I think, therefore I am.” It’s amazing to see how education had started from a religious perspective, character education. I am proud to see that even though many school have taken it out of their program, but our school still have. I think a good character builder is also a well-rounded person. The idealists have also shown examples of how we’re all potential learner, rich or poor, young or old can learn according to our abilities. It is interesting to see how education had developed and made progression throughout history. Thanks to Plato and Socrates, are our most influential on our educational system and that people learn according to their work as in the university to this day.
Application:
1. I should not only teach my students to learn from the textbook, but to continue with application projects according to their interest.
2. Offer opportunity for my students to be creative in learning how to apply into their life situation.
3. Plan a fieldtrip for my students to visit other school in the community to practice their global citizenship, reaching out to help others around them.
Sr. Rose
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