The Philosophy of Teaching Essay

Writing is a powerful tool for communication and connection. As an extension and expression of the mind, writing is as much about the mental processes of the author as it is about the final marks laid to paper. As we write, we hold in mind our own thoughts on the work, anticipate the reader’s thoughts, and think both in concrete and abstract ways in order to accomplish the task at hand. Whether an academic research paper, a novel, or text message to friends, writing seeks to engage, persuade, or impress concepts upon an audience. Like language and other art forms in general, the practice of writing is ever-evolving and is subject to cultural and contextual influence, expectations, and conventions. Each writer holds a theory

A typical high-school student struggles in learning new concepts, in AP Language & Composition many students learn new challenging concepts which make the class difficult.

I have always wanted to become a teacher. From playing school with my little sisters, to volunteering a summer camps and elementary schools, there is not better feeling, to me, than to know that I have helped someone to accomplish a goal and develop better as a person. I think that there is no better way to impact the lives of other people than to become a teacher. As a teacher, not only will be able to affect the lives of these students from day t day, but I can also make an impact on the life of each child and hopefully their family as well.

Our convictions border every aspect of our lives from the monumental to the minute; for example, we possess a complex system of thought governing how we function as moral members of an often amoral society, and we utilize an equally complex system concerning our devotion to a favorite television show. However, the process of actualizing a philosophy is daunting. We rarely externalize our beliefs. Why? Are artists the only beings able to successfully translate the abstract into the concrete? Are we too lazy, too busy to question our convictions? Do we fear discovery of the possible irrational basis of our lives? Or, perhaps we are too afraid to realize the rigid walls bounding our existence. Whatever

Reflective practice engages practitioners in a continuous cycle of self-observation and self-evaluation in order to understand their own actions and the reactions they prompt in themselves and in learners (Brookfield, 1995; Thiel, 1999). Reflective practice is considered as an evolving concept which views learning as “an active process of reviewing an experience of practice in order to describe, analyse, evaluate and so inform learning about practice.” (Reid, B 1993 cited in Garfat, T. 2005).

Reflecting back from the beginning of the semester, I can honestly say that I believed that I was already a really good writer. However, I have struggled with the thought of writing. Ever since I was little, I dreaded the thought of writing essays, but when it came down to get the job done I never struggled and always earned good grades. Up until around half way though this semester I still had this fear. I am thankful that this class has made me overcome the fear and thought of writing essays, even though when it was actually time for me to write them I did just fine. Throughout this semester I have mastered and learned the techniques of brainstorming, how to properly construct an outline, the different types of introductions, and much

Have you ever written an essay, positive it was a masterpiece, then have the teacher highlight a million ways you could improve it? I think we’ve all been there at some point. All too often the revision process is neglected simply because it is confused with proofreading and editing. Although these are also vital to your paper’s success, revising is first and foremost. You may be wondering, “If revising is not correcting my grammar or replacing common

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.

Aristotle once said, “The one exclusive sign of thorough knowledge is the power of teaching.” Teaching enables students to gain the intelligence needed to excel in life. I believe that a teacher’s philosophy of education is a crucial role in his or her approach to leading students on their educated path. A philosophy of education is the set of beliefs that every school and every teacher stand behind. The certain philosophy that one chooses provides the answers to many vital questions, such as the purpose of schooling, a teacher’s role, and what should be taught in the classroom.

In our time of uncertainty one of the most stable institutions is the school system for children. Thus, being a teacher and providing the most stable atmosphere along with providing the children with an education must be handled delicately. I believe a mixture of essentialism, progressivism, perennialism, behaviorism, and social reconstrctonism is essential in achieving those goals.

Inquiry is an interactive way of learning. Students are actively engaged in their studies. Inquiry involves student-centered activities focusing on questioning, exploring, and posing explanations. The goal of inquiry is to introduce a new way of learning where students can learn about the world around them through active engagement in real-life examples. Inquiry based learning can be incorporated into all academic subjects throughout the curriculum. Science could possibly be the most effective subject to incorporate inquiry.

There is much to be said about the various theoretical principles developed by educational theorists whose aim at its core is to find work argue which is the best approach for teachers to apply towards the development of children’s learning. In this paper, I will present a brief analysis of six contemporary educational theories: perennialism, essentialism, reconstructivism, progressivism, educational humanism, and behaviorism. Then the focus will turn to two of the theories, perennialism and behaviorism, that evoked a strong response in how I, as a Christian, related to them.

My passion is to not only teach students in a creative and positive way that they are actually learning but also to inspire them to learn and make something great of themselves in their future. The reason being when I was younger I did not take my education that serious. If I would have known then how serious an education was, I feel that I could have accomplished more in middle and high school. After school I wouldn't care about actually learning about my homework. For this reason I want to inspire kids to want to learn at a young age and for them to see that their education and work ethic is very important even at their age. Most importantly I want my future students to want to learn.

Learning and knowledge are highly prized in all societies, especially here in Ireland, where there is a strong tradition of respect for education. The choices that individuals make when leaving school, in particular whether to pursue higher education or not, are likely to have a long lasting effect on their lifestyle. The main purposes for a University education involve: social, national and educational purposes and for the individual personal purposes and moral development. These topics will be addressed in the following paragraphs.

Although the greater population will support the favored belief that creativity is innate and is a trait that cannot be taught, my experiences help prove that the creative thinking process is in fact a skill, or trait, that can be taught and encouraged to others. Some may argue that the teaching process does not effect one’s creativity, but according to Paulo Freire’s, “‘Banking’ Concept of Education,” teaching and methods of teaching directly affect how one expresses their creative thinking— whether its being oppressed or expressed. This not only supports the fact that creativity can be taught, but it also proves that creativity can be shown—or not shown— on varying levels depending on the method of teaching being used. Unfortunately, current methods of teaching and the need for the students to meet state standards is leading to the phenomenon known as, the “creativity crisis,” thus meaning that creativity in the United States is on the decline. In order to regain control of our nation’s creativity levels, we must start with our grade obsessive educational systems and the methods of teaching being used within America’s classrooms.