Educational Philosophies

Idealist: The idealist is focused on literature, the mind, spirit, and soul. They also view themselves as the authority figure, and focus the class around self-actualization.

Realist: Similar to the idealist, this theory focuses on teacher centered authority. This approach, however, deals with rationality, observation, proof, and the scientific method.

Existentialist: This belief focuses around choice and creating your own meaning. There are no outside acting forces, and it is the individual that is important. Focus on the imagination and human condition.

Pragmatist: Similar to the existentialist, the pragmatist focuses on student centered learning. They believe meaning is derived from experience, and teachers model experimental knowledge. Teamwork is very important for them, and nothing is solidified meaning truths and values are always changing.

I think the two philosophies that best describe my teaching styles are pragmatism and realism. Using the table 4.1 on page 93 of the book, I was able to discern two out of the four educational questions to be pragmatism. I then split the remaining two with realism and idealism.

The two questions I related to pragmatism were, "What is the proper teaching approach?" and, "How should character development occur?" I believe that the proper teaching approach is for problem solving through inquiry projects, hands-on learning, and product development. As a learner who did best when given those circumstances, I naturally stick to them. Granted not every learner will be like that, but it certainly opens more doors to learning.

This philosophy is a great balance of both idealism and realism that believes in community based learning. I believe the teaching I have done thus far is structured primarily around pragmatism.