Cynthia Delgado-Quinones

EDSN 600 History and Philosophy of Education

Introduction

The aim of education is to provide the vehicle inside our community to thrive.

"Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is not preparation for life;

education is life itself," according to John Dewey (1859-1952). If a person has no education,

how can they live by today's standards! Students learn values, instruction, etiquette or even

debate skills at all levels of educational institutions. They compete with their peers, whether at

work, in business or in relationships, to be the best they can be in life. As educators, therefore,

we must always build a secure and healthy atmosphere to help set the tone of our educational

message.

These tasks therefore give schooling and its services a prominent importance for

American students. It also aims to share ideas of different ideals explored during the program.

Such theoretical theories have assisted in modeling the way we utilize the educational program

to the global society.

Abstract

This position paper reflects on the systematic research results on the curriculum and the

function of schooling in the United States, raised by academics, ideologists and theorists. To

address the questions: What is education? What is education? And so what was the goal of

teaching? As they refer to philosophical perspectives in education, it will also reflect on the
tenets and resonant thought. Ultimately, factors of US history will be implemented in that

article because of the impact of learning and schooling in the USA.

Education and the Purpose of Schooling

What's education about? There are several educational interpretations.Dewey (1859),

for example, posits that schooling is seen as a requirement of life. To put it plainly, it is

something that one cannot do without. In addition, education, in its general sense, is a type of

learning in which a community of people's information, skills and behaviors are transferred

through teaching, training and/or study from one generation to the next. In addition,

Dictionary.com describes schooling as a method of gaining general knowledge, fostering the

forces of reasoning and judgment, and training individuals for mature life scholarship

knowledge. Another way to determine one's education is by a medium where knowledge is

accessed by individuals. This data can be given via the curriculum or anywhere that individuals

meet and greet. Eventually some students introduce the definition of education as a device that

could allow people's good attitudes to be encouraged as well as grow development.

Sometimes, we associate education with schooling. So, what is schooling? Schooling, especially

at school, is the education or training obtained. This usually covers teachers instructing

students in a standardized program or syllabus made up of various subjects. For John Dewey,

this is a major role of society. The correct method must be obtained to provide this purpose.

Dewey argues that the approaches used in education direct, guide and regulate the child's

inborn impulses into a life path that is socially acceptable.

an organized atmosphere. Norms and principles are taught to individuals in this system. This

tool is important for people to help them to live every day. The foundations of learning can be

acquired by these processes of learning. With these values, a person can compete with other

people and take part in better social norms in our society. For example, by attending colleges

and universities, individuals may advance themselves and strengthen their status quo.

Philosophical Arguments

Pragmatism exists because philosophers believe that from birth individuals learn to

practice what they are taught and is based on personal experiences. I assume that this theory is

rooted in the application of practical experience. Via social and emotional skills, students can

gain practical experience. For example, if two kids try to use a block at the same time, the

teacher will basically introduce the ability of turn-taking to solve the problem. It is a theory,

according to Peirce (1839-1914), that improvements will take place through development and

classroom experiences.

Using regular assessment of children in small classes, by observing them while engaging

in different centers throughout the classroom will allow learning to take place with realistic

experiences. During social interaction, they connect with their peers by constructing puzzles or

making stuff using playdough. This theory distinguishes activity and suggests that it remains an

aim for schooling. Pragmatism also explains that all learning depends on the material taught,

the place, time and conditions.

This free will allows for everyone to be individual and accountable for their actions and their

intentions. Sahakian and Sahakian, (1965) tell us that "a person chooses his destiny, the failure

of a man is based on the individual choice of man in life." The learner's job is to take

responsibility and be inspired to a greater degree for what he wants to know. This implies that

the subject matter is one of personal preference, as Cohen said (1999). The developmental

stages of the cognitive development of Jean Piaget, however, indicate that one is now starting

to make sense of the world in the early phases of development. In this case, therefore, the

subject matter cannot be a matter of personal preference.

In an existentialism classroom, the curriculum focuses on self-direction in which a

number of options will be given to children. We see that it is based on fictional characters, such

as Batman and Spiderman, in as much as choices can be optimistic when offered at an early

age. From my personal interactions with infants and toddlers in the classroom, encouraging

them to be the sole judge of behavior results in chaotic circumstances.

There are various ideological approaches associated with innovation and the purpose of

education. The philosophy associated with Marxism, for me, is consistent with my values and

can be applied in a generally acceptable way. Marxism posits, according to Keller, that there is a

chance for a member of a community with an education to create a better life. In the early

stages, the use of dramatic play in the classroom will help the child with this development.

When learners use role playing or pretend to play, they learn to solve problems, improve

communication, and develop social and emotional skills. Students use pretend play to buy

things from the store and from their friends to prepare a meal during Learning Center time, in
the kitchen. When they pay for their transaction with cash and/or credit cards, they understand

who the cashier, the grocer, and the clients are.

As a result of education, students will achieve liberty, transparency, and trust to be

model citizens of society. By making the environment accessible for group work or for

collaboration will help the students learn about each other’s culture. This will help then

understand each other better. In the classroom environment, this child-centered approach

promotes contact and language expression with their peers and also with the teacher, thus

improving the skills needed.

The tenets of conservatism, on the other side, consider society as imperfect. There is no

way of building a perfect society on Earth, as Russel Kirk (1918-1984) outlines. Conservationists,

whether it functions in their favor or not, believe in enduring moral authority. They also believe

that by embracing groups, which establish some measure of equality, order is obtained in a

group. That is why they embody the philosophy of possessing property and private wealth

because they like it. Although a perfect society may never be created on this earth, we can still

strive for one in our classrooms. I believe in the philosophy of education that change is knowing

how to help in the development process. For example, teaching and passing down to each

generation about one's heritage will help learners to become more aware of potential

accomplishments that were established in their heritage. We all have to learn from the past,

but we need to be vigilant and realize that not everything in the past can be relevant for the

present. As long as we understand what is important for the future generations to learn and

continue to move forward in teaching valuable information there could be potential gains.
Students in the classroom, for example, will establish timelines as they track the growth of the

first aircraft through the ages.

Education by any form should not promote isolation. Our students should not be limited

to exploring and improving their skills which can be due to unlimited thoughts, the philosophy

of injustice, racism, and unethical conduct that exist in our education. Whether it is through

their education at home or in a school building it should not be tolerated and their mindsets

need to be corrected.

Theories

In terms of education and social reconstructionism, they concentrate on societal issues

and the promise of a better life in the future. There are universal concepts linked to education

and the aims of schools linked to social constructionism. Such thinkers claim that a social

problem has to be resolved before it is turned into a new society.

The use of group work is one of the tenets of this theory. Participation of students in

constructive and purposeful conversations will help in promoting critical thinking and can also

help to alleviate some of the social issues that arise in the classroom. This is known as the

cultural crisis. By helping students learn to socialize amongst themselves in a healthy dialogue,

this can only benefit them in their future engagements.

Another idea is problem solving, which I consider to be helpful and can be used in all

situations in the classroom. The way problem solving needs to be implemented when students

are addressed with a problem would be: for students to comment on the way they feel,

recognize the issue, come up with solutions, contemplate the outcomes of the solution and
choose which solution would be most successful. According to Bagley, “progressives” agree that

problem-solving techniques are of importance to students in the classroom. Students define

the problem first. Next, they brainstorm for other alternatives. Then, they solve the problem,

last they choose the best approach. Finally offer an answer to the issue. Students create

curiosity when they solve problems, (1874-1946).

In addition, knowledge exchange is one of the ways in which an instructor can

determine what is known from, what is not known. This knowledge will help the student to

prepare the next move for the learner. It can also be a medium for communicating information

to the rest of the class. This will help in understanding their prior knowledge. In addition, I think

the use of mathematical abilities found by project-based learning is an aspect that can be used.

This is a method that can be used in the classroom to support learning outcomes. The student

learns to be imaginative, think critically, be accountable, and can develop powerful skills in

communication.

The Learner's initiative is another philosophical belief in progressivism. The learner is

responsible for informal learning, this is when the learner is self-directed to facilitate their own

needs. This element of learning provides the learner with an array of chances to succeed.

Students are establishing learning strategies and executing plans. In a meaningful way, they

identify significant information.

Finally, progressivism in human interactions means the term "child freedom" to return

to primitive social life. Students learn best as they communicate with things in the world,

according to John Dewey (1859-1952), and they engage in social education to adapt and learn.
The role of the teacher in the values of progressivism in the activity must be, along with the

student, learning. The teacher is the one to build realistic exercises in a progressive classroom

that will lead the students through problem-solving and connect it to specific aspects of their

lives outside the classroom. According to Wells (2006), these teaching methods also include

guided discovery and hands-on learning activities.

Elements That Do and Do Not Resonate with My Thinking

I agree with the progressive idea that methods for problem-solving are useful for

students. To solve a given issue, I can apply these measures. For instance, upon arrival to the

classroom, some toddlers cry when their parents leave. The child is asked to breathe deeply.

Next, they are motivated to tell the instructor about the issue. Then, a relaxing technique will

be used, such as taking a stroll. After that, the student is again encouraged to express his or her

thoughts. If the cry stops, the problem is deemed fixed.

The Students 'initiative is a principle of informal learning. I do not believe that the

learner should oversee his own learning process. I feel that the teacher should be granted some

measure of transparency. This way, the behaviors of participants would be monitored to make

sure that they are instructional while doing so.

The approach to learning towards individual experience progressivism is a wealth of

knowledge to gain from. I do agree that this strategy would help some students enormously.

I see the progressivism belief of using activities with teachers as well as children helps me to

know how the children will learn. It is my belief that hands-on experiences is one of the main

strategies to make learning easier.

The discoveries and contributions to the growth of formal education in the United

States will concentrate on my philosophies of education and the function of school.

Society has become more nuanced and complex in the way it uses expressive language during

primordial periods. Eventually, man created a structure in which it was possible to document

and pass on the written language to future generations. The framework used has created an

increased body of information. As a result, people recognized the need for a formal education

system that would conceptualize the development of formal education. Many communities

have already developed their educational system for their population. Pioneers in the early

history of education were the "enlightened" thinkers Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) and

Johann Pestalozzi. Rousseau wrote a book "Emile" outlining the optimum conditions needed for

education for a youth. The contribution of Johann Pestalozzi states that education should begin

from concrete to abstract education. In today's culture, these two schools of ideas from

Rousseau and Pestalozzi have become part of the position of our education and schooling.

The educational influences of Johann Pestalozzi can be seen through the teachings of Maria

Montessori. She thinks learning can extend from the real to the abstract as well. Her teachings

also concentrated on defense as she coordinated a procedure for the education of learner

involvement. The child conducts the task separately. Pestalozzi also relied on a wellness system

where the individual could function. In modern day times in our education, Pestalozzi's

perspectives can be visible in Montessori's lessons in classrooms.

around the middle of the nineteenth century. They were first regarded as common schools and

were not commonplace with all (Gelbrich, 1999). Compulsory education was introduced

because a segment of the population (non-puritans) was rising rapidly and did not have

sufficient education for their children. Compulsory schooling for all children in Massachusetts

was required by the first legislation passed. It was thought that by making schooling

compulsory, more children would learn to read and write.

The work of Horace Mann was one of the contributors to our education and the purpose

of our schooling (1796-1859). He was a state Senator from Massachusetts and a strong

advocate of public teaching in common schools called at that time. Its goal was to increase and

enhance the importance of a common school within Massachusetts. People were able to

benefit from the publishing annual reports about the low sustainability of these colleges. This

has influenced public awareness of the disadvantaged. For this famous citation, he is

remembered mainly, which said, Above all other means of people, is the major equalizer to the

facts of men... balancing of social equipment. One should never forget, too; Brown's case with

the Supreme Court has influenced our history of education. Following the decision of the Court

on inequalities in schools, the social right for equality at school was won.

During the 20th century, we found how teaching and the meaning of academic

education have changed the world. We are influenced in a sense by the theory, ideas and laws.

We have seen improvements because we can't stay stagnant as a result of those values.We are

required to move forward with these values as educators to educate and provide schooling for

the children of our country.

In addition, school and schooling developed in the United States of America over time.

The role of an instructor is always evolving. This is a lifelong methodology in which new

techniques are learnt and innovative principles are explored and applied to proceed with the

task of education. Although teachers were once given curriculum materials with a succinct

collection of guidelines to explain exactly how to offer them guidance, this was not an equitable

or efficient strategy because it does not always admit the uniqueness or real-life application of

a learner as suggested by some of the previously mentioned philosophers. Today, education is

seen as responsive; they have improved to the needs and requirements of every political and

cultural climate.

As the great Robert Frost once said (1874-1963) “I am not a teacher but an awakener.” I

would like to extend his claim by declaring that I am not only a teacher but also an awakener. In

keeping with my collaboration in this course of study, special emphasis is put on education and

scholarship with the history and philosophy of education in the U.S, I would like to articulate my

personal philosophy as I work as an education member. Every day, I try to bring to the

classroom an open mind, a positive attitude and high expectations. I owe it to my community

to put forth stability, thoroughness and compassion as an educator. In the expectation that in

my students I am really able to instill and promote these characteristics.

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