The Evolution Of Education From Socrates, Plato And Aristotle To Medieval Europe

Universities are schools that help someone continue his ed- ucation beyond high school. A university can help both men and women enjoy a more successful life. It helps prepare people for professional jobs such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and teachers. It gives a person a greater admiration of the arts, literature, history, sociology, and science fields. Also, a university education allows people to participate with better understanding and influence in community events. Numerous uni- versities offer classes known as individualized- study or self-directed classes. These types of classes do not have formal classroom sessions. Students work on their own assignments out- lined by class materials. They finish the work at their own pace with the help of a faculty member. In this kind of class, the pupils may use computers, individually-assigned lab booths, and other learning aids.

In 1852 when John Henry Newman wrote his essay, “The Idea of a University,” he wanted to convey that a University’s purpose was to be able to educate first-rate members of the social order. Newman’s theory, although over a hundred years old, still applies to today’s college students; many are seeking higher educations to not only lead to successful careers, but to also become an improved person in society.

Colleges and university have slowly become one of the stepping stones into the working world today. People go to colleges for higher education with the intention of earning degrees in which they can use in their respective fields. Some example degrees that people pursue are Medical, Law, Business, Accounting, and Science Degrees. Through the years the idea of college was that it was optional and it was a door for better life and job. However in the modern times, it become a necessity. It all started when the colleges once single- gender institutions target specific students in their respective demographics. Today, the college market has now been divided into two major categories:

Over the past (almost) hundred years, society and education have both changed drastically. Typically, the things that have happened in history, such as wars, technological advances, and changes in culture, changed education as a result. Some of these changes include popular culture in the 1920s, economic factors in the 1930s, military intervention in the 1940s, Sputnik in the 1950s, and racial issues in the 1960s. One theme of education is that it has gradually become more important over the years. Before high school diplomas could be rare, and today most high school graduates go to college in the United States.

Before one can move forward with their education one must understand where it all started. When researching the history of higher education there is a common theme in every aspect of my research. I would find the word “college” and the word “university”. Throughout the 19th century there would be some confusion between the two words. In colleges the primary role is teaching where as in the university research and scholarships are the primary role (Lucas,2006). Also, current universities offer post- baccalaureate or graduate instruction whereas colleges do not. However, this was not always the case before the 19th century.

Education over the years has changed drastically. Between the push for schools in the time of colonial American and the school reform starting in 1830, schools began to drastically improve over time. Both of these events from different time periods positively impacted areas of education, changing our world for the better. These impacts can still be felt in school systems today across the country.

Educational goals are seen to be an area of great concern in the era of globalization. Universities will continually play a immense role increasing a better society. (S. Chinnammai, 2005)

Any student, whether in elementary or college, learns better when the subject matter is thought-provoking and appealing. Traditional and old curriculum provides a baseline for students to meet and follow. Also, traditional curriculum is based of individualism and discourages exchanges between the student and teacher. Individual work teaches the child to develop internal critical thinking skills but it may bore the student. Teachers should continually interact with their students and challenge the student to think outside the box. Great teachers in today's system should help students develop a new way of thinking about history, math, english, and science and their education in general.

Horace Mann, is often referred to the Father of the Common School, he began his career as a lawyer and legislator. He was elected as Secretary of a new Massachusetts Board of Education in 1837. He used his power to create an educational reform. He believed that every child could receive a basic education funded by local taxes. Soon his influence spread beyond Massachusetts, more and more states began to take up the idea of universal schooling. Mann was influential in the development of teacher training schools and the earliest attempts to professionalize teaching.

Due to the collapse, anarchy and economic crisis swept across Europe, leaving very few historical records of educational advancements. The need for educated men increased as trade, economics and local administration fell. With the need to educate, universities were created. Curriculum taught was mathematics, music, grammar, and logic which lead to advancement in medicine, law and philosophy. Shortly after the creation of universities, economics and politics slowly developed, and the growth in trade and government administration saw an increase (Tulloch).

After attending a college or university, its graduates will be able to think and express themselves clearly, and learn not only a skill, but also about humanities

The system of higher education that is known in the present day society was established during the Middle Ages. The university was established to provide students with basic liberal arts education and optional further studies within an area of choice: law, medicine, or theology. Courses were taught in Latin and students had to pass a comprehensive exam to obtain their degree (256). The language choice of Latin allowed for anyone in Europe to attend, regardless of country of origin. The first European university was in Bologna, Italy, followed by Notre-Dame, Paris, and the University of Oxford and Cambridge University in England. “ …universities proved important to medieval civilization, not only for growth of learning…but also by providing a mechanism for training the personnel who served as teachers, administrators, lawyers, and doctors in an increasingly specialized society” (258). During this period, the concept of scholasticism was introduced. Stemmed from theological origins, the scholastic method became the main instructional mode at the universities. The method consists of posing a question, presenting contradictions to counter it, and thus coming up with a conclusive thought. Peter Abelard was one of the main teachers responsible for the scholastic method and concluded that “by doubting we come to inquiry, through inquiry to the truth” (259). The intellectual revival also brought back to life the important scientific and philosophical works of great minds like Hippocrates, Ptolemy, Euclid, and Aristotle, which were translated into Latin. Furthermore, the 12th century was the period in which lived one of the greatest minds still known today, Saint Thomas

Another great influence on Education was the Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle who came later after Confucius, who was born in Stagira, Chalcidice. Aristotle was first a student in Plato’s philosophy school for around twenty years. Later on he was a philosophy teacher in Atarneus which is located in Asia Minor. Aristotle is known for his school named “Lyceum” which is located in Athens, and he is also known for teaching Alexander the Great who can later. According to Curren from his writings about “Aristotle on the Necessity of Public Education” and Burnet from his writings about “Aristotle on Education: Being Extracts From the Ethics and Politics found in the Encyclopedia , Aristotle deceased from the existing idea of childhood in Greek antiquity at that time, just like his teacher Plato. That philosophy was about children being educated as small adults, and so they were taught with adult literature considering their minds as able to absorb and task like those of the adults. According to Aristotle, the goal of education is to struggle to achieve the greatest goodness and happiness being a member in a city. Most of his philosophy about educating children could be found in the Nicomachean Ethics and Politics; and here he relates to politics as he considers human beings naturally to be political. That is in the social sense, as no one could become happy outside of a community. A person become an individual when he/she becomes an active

The appearance of universities was part of the same high-medieval education boom. Originally universities were institutions where students could attain specialized instruction in advanced studies. These types of studies were not available in the average cathedral schools. Advanced schools existed in the ancient world, but did not promote a fixed curricula or award degrees.

The two main institutions predominantly concerned with education are Universities and Schools. It may be argued that the main purpose of Universities is to advance the