When studying what curriculum would be most beneficial for our students we have to ponder these two questions. What makes a good curriculum? What makes an effective teacher? I have learned thus far that these two questions are difficult to answer because teaching and education go through a revolutionary process. They are ever changing. The instruction and content that is relevant today may not hold up to the standards that are in place ten years from now. With that said, I have learned about theorists that were innovative thinkers and viewed education as something different than the norm of their times. I have decided to address the similarities and differences between Maria Montessori and John Dewey because I feel that some of what …show more content…
If you look at Dewey's approach, students can work in groups and collaborate. There is also a form of assessment that can be attached to the learning. The beauty it does not have to be a test. It can be in the form of a presentation or project. What I found to be interesting is that both theorists do not emphasize a need to develop on specific content matter. The Montessori approach allows for children to learn at their own pace. They are not held accountable for state standardized tests so this provides them to learn at a comfortable pace and eventually increase the rigor of their learning. The Dewey side is that school should target developing the social life of our children because we need them to be independent and critical thinkers. We will cripple our children's process of becoming independent thinkers when we focus solely on content.
I find it fascinating that what is expected of me at my campus and district is based on the ideology of Maria Montessori and John Dewey. The game plan at my campus is focused on what we call the Fundamental Five. It is in this approach that I see the ideas of Montessori and Dewey flourish in real life. One of the big things at my campus is that we need to have our students grouped so that we can have them engage in collaborative activities that will promote classroom discussions. We also have them interact and use tactile strategies so that they can learn from actually, doing
I believe that I am proficient in establishing a classroom setting that calls upon the students to learn in an individual and collaborative manner. I believe that I have sufficiently encouraged positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation. I have shown this in learning activities that have been presented to the students. An example of this would be with the placard assignment, which had the students fill out a sheet that corresponded to four maps to help them figure out what artifacts certain cultural regions would use. During this learning segment, students would have to be self directed after the directions were given, the students would have to use collaborative skills, and they were all engaged during
I approach collaboration as a team player, and I believe students need more than one person to guide them to their full educational potential. Also, active and prepared participation of weekly PLC meetings with the teachers of my special education students to plan collaborative curriculum have increased results in math and reading substantially. Participating in co-teaching furthers my repertoire of knowledge to assist my students. I have learned a vast amount from sharing and consulting with colleagues regarding students, observing mentoring teachers, and planning activities to ensure growth in students.
Do you ever wonder if there is more you could be doing for your schools? Is there more to just the normal classroom setup and curriculum? After recently reading the article “From Education” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of America’s most influential thinkers and writers, I believe his definition of education should be implemented in our school district. He describes current education as militaristic and explains how he believes that learning should be “natural.” By “natural” he means learning through experience. The ideal education experience that Emerson presents is one where students are allowed to follow their interests and gain the information they desire most. Our school district should apply the “natural method” to all of our schools.
Who truly has the key to the best formula of curriculum? It is without a doubt there is numerous theorist that believe that they have defined, and have opened the door to make curriculum the best version ever. The two theorist that I feel have really opened and challenged my beliefs on curriculum would have to be Maria Montessori and Franklin Bobbitt. Both being seen as founders that laid the foundation for future theorist they have very different beliefs when it comes to the teacher and students role in curriculum.
Throughout my education career at Texas A&M there have been a few different significant educators that have peaked my interest. My focus in undergrad was English/Language Arts and Social Studies for middle school, but as I’ve learned more through my graduate degree I’ve become fascinated with the idea of different types of schooling and the lower level grades. For example, I never heard of an open concept classroom until my first graduate course. Once I heard this idea I’ve been researching and looking up alternative education models, such as Montessori, with interest in maybe teaching in this type or another alternative school eventually. In addition, I’ve researched how educators began to create certain “levels” in schooling based on age, and focused in on kindergarten. My very first job in education was with kindergarten and I was always curious to know how this specific “pre-school” level of education was brought into existence. This time in a child’s life is crucial to their success because they are building a foundation for their future career in school, and I want to learn more about it. The following is my research on Maria Montessori and Frederick Froebel, two significant educators with an impact on the field of education in alternative schooling and kindergarten respectively.
Education is very important especially in this day and age. What school one attends and how they perceive school to be is a huge factor in one’s life success. There has been research done in the past few years proving that students who receive a Montessori education will prosper academically more so than those who receive a traditional education (Ryniker and Shoho, 2001). Traditional schools typically follow teacher based philosophies and the Montessori education is student centered. On average, children enjoy student based philosophy classrooms. Therefore, they are much more in tuned to what they are learning and that benefits their educational career. Having fun while learning is the key to keeping children engaged.
According to Bredekamp (2013) John Dewey brought to life the University Of Chicago Lab School. His impact of wanting children to use their judgment and take more initiative continues to impact early childhood education today. Dewey believed that school was a social place for students and that they learn best when they get to interact with their curriculums. He was in favor of a curriculum that gave students structure and would allow focus on the student’s interest and capabilities. The impact that Dewey left was that he was a powerful influence of the experimenting in science education. Dewey was known for being and advocate of democracy and considered two fundamental elements which were schools and civil society which were major topics that
Educational philosophies influence curriculum from the establishment of the American school systems. The five major philosophies that have influence American education are: 1) Idealism, 2) Essentialism, 3) Perennialism, 4) Progressivism, and 5) Experimentalism. Idealism, Essentialism, and Perennialism are all teacher-based philosophies putting the teacher at the core of the educational experience, with students being passive members of the classroom. In contrast, Progressivism and Experimentalism are student-centered philosophies that focus on the child and their contribution and participation in the formation of classroom experiences, using teachers as guides to help students in their educational development. Although the philosophies differ, many of them define curriculum as a encompassing unit of goals, methods, materials and assessment.
Wiggins & McTighe (2005) said it best “teachers are designers” and we need the right to craft our curriculum and learning experiences to meet specified purposes (Pg. 13. Ch. 1). We are all teaching different students, in different cities, in different states; all of whom that have individual strengths and weaknesses, come from various homes, a multitude of diversified backgrounds, who speak different languages and all of whom who have experienced their lives in different manners. I have been teaching for well over 11 years, and I have never once modified my teaching to meet the needs of a curriculum, I always have and will continue to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of my students.
Maria Montessori founded an education system which is called Montessori and still bares her name, her system is based on belief in the child’s creative potential, (Douglas, n.d.). Her first Casa Dei Bambini (Children’s house), where Maria was using her approach of teaching was opened in 1907 in Rome. She was great educator who believed that children are learning through their personal experience at their right time and their own pace. (Ridgway, 2007). Children rather than learning largely from what the teachers and the textbooks say, learn from “doing”,(Douglas, n.d.). To provide for children an effective, independent learning process, and that they become a competent and confident learner, Teacher had to provide for children a healthy, clean, well-prepared and well organised environment in which children could develop. Maria Montessori came up with idea that if children have to work and play independently, they have to be comfortable and need appropriately sized tools and items that fit their small hands (Mooney, 2000). Montessori believed that children learn through sensory experiences. Teacher has a responsibility to provide wonderful sights, textures, sounds, and smells for children. Sensory
The Montessori method began in the early 1900's by the first female doctor in Italy, Dr. Mary Montessori, as a way of educating mentally disabled children. Her ideas were so successful with these children that she began to apply her understanding of learning to study the potential of normally functioning children (Oalf, 2001). Dr. Montessori's approach to education stresses the importance of learning styles, independence and responsibility.
Watching a small child discover how to operate his or her favorite plaything is awe inspiring. The look of wonder at the item as it's carefully chosen from amongst their belongings and studied ever so carefully for each and every nuance. How that little face lights up with each new discovery no matter how large or small. The sounds of delight an even dismay at an unwanted result are beautiful. Consider an educational system that would continue to utilize a child’s natural curiosity, unyielding ingenuity and thirst for knowledge. Montessori education creates that environment for children by allowing them the freedom to not only gain knowledge in a natural progression, but also provide a basis on which to continue to grow no matter where
The education system back in her era focused on teaching the children to memorise word to word from books and posters and Children sat in rows at desks at the classroom learning from a blackboard and slates. This method of education wasn’t stimulating and exciting for children. Nevertheless through her experience Montessori discovered children want to learn, and they will do it in their own time frame and they shouldn’t be forced.
In order to teach successfully teachers must learn about first learn about their students. Teachers must assess the student’s capabilities and interests. Some students are visual learners, while others learn from hands on activities, or verbal communication. Not all students can learn through memorization, rather they learn through interest and relation to the topic. “To realize what an experience, or empirical situation, means, we have to call to mind the sort of situation that presents itself outside of school" (Democracy and Education). The curriculum should encompass material that is most useful for a student to learn. It seems that in the majority of schools, students are not given the flexibility to guide their own learning, but rather follow rigid instructions that destroy the student’s imagination.
Montessori’s teaching approach aims to develop all aspects of the child mentally and socially (Pound, 2012). Montessori cautioned teachers to remember that children need to be allowed to do basic tasks to learn for themselves (Mooney, 2000, p.28). The role of the teacher in a Montessori setting is mainly observation of the child, encouragement, preparation of the environment, leadership, fostering the child’s independence (Mooney, 2000, p.29), and keeping a complex and delicate balance between each role. (Miller, 2010, p.79). Both theorists acknowledged that children learn best by doing and through repetition of tasks (Mooney, 2000, p.29). Large blocks of time for free work and play, should be scheduled as this was part of the Montessori legacy, this can also be seen in Steiner settings. (Pound, 2012). The teacher should also give children responsibility for keeping the setting space clean and tidy and allow the children to structure their own play. (Mooney, 2000, p.29). Steiner’s role of the teacher is comparable. Steiner wanted to create an education which gave children ‘clarity of thought, sensitivity of feeling and strength of will’ (Pound 2012, p28). Like Montessori the role of the teacher is all about observation, the teacher needs to be both interested and observational of the child’s basic needs to fully develop the child both