Sue+L

===PROMPT #1: Philosophy (the pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self discipline) and its practical applications to classrooms has been ongoing for more than 2,000 years. A person's philosophy of education is usually **__a set of beliefs that relate to who, what, how, and why people in society should be educated__**. Think about your philosophy of education and write your ideas below this prompt.=== (It can be as long or as short as you desire) Remember to SAVE when you are done, or every so often. To add more click the "Edit This Page" button at the top and click your cursor where you would like to type.
 * START HERE: I believe that every person has the right to an education. I believe that a comprehensive education in reading, writing, math, social studies, science, languages, physical education and the arts should be required for all children from the ages of 5 to 18. Through a challenging curriculum and well paid and trained teachers, this kind of an education would teach children about the world they live in, both past and present, and will inspire young adults to be life long learners. An educated society promotes independent thinkers, problem solvers and engaged citizens.**

===PROMPT #2: Now that you have viewed the PowerPoint (found on the HOME page) and recorded some notes, __explain which philosopher(s) you most agree with and why__ (feel free to give examples and/or experiences.)=== I have at least four philosophers that I agree with the most for different reasons:
 * START HERE:**

Rousseau because of his belief of a supreme being and what ought to be and not what is. Our society seems to be accepting of "That's the way it is today" instead of how it should be.

Marx because of almost everything he believes in. I strongly feel that schools need to empower students to want to learn through a technilogical curriculum and that we need to follow practical actions to improve society. I also think that class struggles and our economic status has a direct influence on learning.

Pestalozzi because of his belief that a successful educational experience depends on the student's home life. In my own life, my parents were always involved in my schooling and it was a "given" that I would go to college. It never entered my mind that I would not go on to college. My husband, on the other hand, never had that experience with his folks. Times were hard, money was short and a college education was never mentioned. He mentions so many times, "I wonder what I could have achieved and how my life would have been different if my Mother had expected and encouraged me to go on to college." (He is the one that should have had the opportunity to go. It was never that important in his family.

Dewey because of his statement, "Education is life, not a preparation for life". As I have gotten older, I realize more and more that your education never stops through life and probably the most important lessons in life are through experience and not in a classroom. That is why I agree with all the philosophers that say that the best learning is done thru hands on classrooms, field trips, group work rather than lectures. As Bacon says, "Practice rather than theory".

PROMPT #3: Please explain which philosopher(s) you most disagree with and why (feel free to give examples and/or experiences.)
There were some things in the Agree columns on every philosopher except Sarte. I thing he is too liberal for me. It sounds like it is all about the individual and freedom to make all of their own choices. I firmly believe that the teacher and the student are NOT partners. In today's society there is too much of parents and teachers being the child's best friends instead of the adult who should be a role model and a mentor. The respect for adults from our younger generation needs to be brought back in society and I feel it is the fault of some of our parents and teachers who either don't have time or don't want to assume this responsibility. We will pay for this in our future.
 * START HERE:**

I also do not agree with Dewey when he says reality is constantly changing. The basics teachings of the ten commandments will never change. I also find it hard to accept Spencer's philosophy of the survival of the fittest. Maybe in the jungle but it shouldn't be in an educated society. Socrates feels that all knowledge is already there and we just need to uncover it. Some of our most recent medical advances makes his statement hard to swallow.

===PROMPT #4: Do you think having a philosophy of education is important for teachers these days, and if so should they share it with others (ie. students, parents, community)? Please explain your answer.=== I sure wish we could all agree on a philosophy of education that would be the perfect answer to all our educational woes but just as these philosophers disagree on the best way to educate our youngsters so the people of this generation will disagree. What should be important to our schools and our parents is a choice. Whether a public school or a private school, the educational philosophy should be shared by all attending. The teachers, parents and administrators need to buy into what they are a part of and be a supportive environment for each other. Students will thrive, teachers will not quit and parents will be an active part of their children's education.**
 * START HERE: