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Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Personal Philosophy of Education:
Understanding Education in the Classroom
Natalie Murray
Liberty University
L29400896
EDUC 504 – 378
David Holder
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Abstract
Education is essential in developing the minds of adolescents while also preparing them
to be an effective part of society. Knowledge is passed on to students from teachers, along with
some guided discovery learning opportunities. This can be accomplished through lecture, drill,
memorization, experiences, hands on activities, or experiments. Effective learning also requires
positive teacher-learner relationships, which must only be created once the teacher and students
have established and learned their roles in the classroom. Positive teacher-learner relationships
allow educators to know their students’ strengths and weaknesses; this leads to teachers knowing
how to successfully diversify teaching methods so that all students have a fair opportunity to
learn. When educators understand what the true purpose of education is, they are able to
implement methods and techniques that will result in the end goal.
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Developing a personal philosophy of education is vital for understanding the purpose,
goals, and outcomes desired in the classroom. Knight (2006) indicated that by knowing and
understanding a personal philosophy of education, teachers are able to focus on the purpose of
education first and foremost, which then allows them to implement methods that will help reach
the end goal. Individual teachers have various views on the true purpose of education. Because
of this, it is essential that teachers take time to develop their own personal philosophy rather than
taking on well-known philosophies or philosophies help by other educators. Throughout this
paper, I will discuss what my personal philosophy of education is and how it impacts my
classroom.
The goal of education is to train and develop the minds of adolescents. This is done
through teaching core subject matters, critical thinking, and problem solving. Educators must
take time to truly know students and form relationships in order to provide encouragement and a
positive learning environment. This form of teaching allows for a prosperous outcome of
students acquiring knowledge that is required to be successful in today’s society. The purpose of
education is to provide necessary knowledge through transmission, build relationships with
students, create a positive learning environment, be a supportive, encouraging role model, and
provide learning opportunities for all students.
Philosophy of Schools & Learning
I used to think finding a philosophy of education that fits my beliefs and ideas would be a
simple task. I assumed that I would find one single philosophy that completely lines up with my
thoughts and that I would disagree with all aspects of the other philosophies. Since then I have
learned that it is not as trivial as I once believed. After much consideration, I have come to the
conclusion that there are two educational philosophies that most accurately fit my personal
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philosophy of education: Progressivism and Essentialism. Although I do agree with many aspects
of these theories, there are also characteristics from each philosophy that contradict my personal
beliefs. Progressivism and Essentialism are almost viewed as complete opposite theories.
However, there are parts from each theory that helped formulate my ideas of education. This is
why giving a great deal of thought to my personal philosophy of education is so important, as it
is with all educators.
As a Christian, my first and most important core values is providing a Christ-like
example for my students. My calling in life, as it is for all Christians, is to show and teach others
God’s love. Being in a secular school makes it difficult to discuss Christianity, but it does not
make it impossible to share Jesus. Educators’ religious beliefs are made known to students
through actions more so than words. The Bible tells Christians in 1 Timothy 4:12 (New
International Version), “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an
example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” This is one area
where the Essentialism philosophy of education comes into play in my personal philosophy of
education. The Essentialism theory also desires to put Christ back in the classroom. Although
there are laws that hinder educators from sharing personal religious beliefs, Essentialism, like
myself, still strives to find ways around those laws. It is vital that Christian educators show
God’s love in the classroom through examples, actions, and words when possible.
Essentialism continues to play into my personal philosophy of education through the
belief that it is vital to teach students the basic knowledge that is required to be successful in life
through transmission. Schools should always teach students the core four subjects: Math,
Science, English, and History. By having a good understanding of these topics, students will be
more successful in society. In order for the core subject matters to be successful taught to
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students, educators must have a strong understanding of the material which enables them to
transmit knowledge to students. Students must be taught discipline, respect, and hard work.
However, Essentialism focuses on memorization, drill, and practice as the most effective
learning techniques. I do not fully agree with this idea of Essentialism. These learning methods
are important and must be included for certain subjects, topics, or material, but they are not the
only learning methods that should be utilized in the classroom.
Progressivism does not play as big of a role in my personal philosophy of education as
Essentialism does, but there are a few aspects of Progressivism that line up with my beliefs.
Cohen (1999) stated that Progressivism focuses on learning through experiences and
experimentation. Some subject matters required students to take field trips or complete hands on
activities; it is through this type of learning that students truly form an understanding. However,
this should not be the only type of learning utilized in the classroom. Effective learning in the
classroom occurs through various styles and methods. Progressivism focuses on learning
problem solving and critical thinking. Through these skills, students are able to logically reason
with information that may not have directly been taught but is similar to or builds from other
materials that were taught. On the other hand, Progressivism stresses learners as the center of the
classroom and learning through transformation, which disagrees with my personal philosophy.
Students do not have the knowledge or understanding of what they need to learn in order to be
successful. Students’ minds are still developed and are not mature enough to make those
decisions for themselves. What is taught in the classroom should be decided by the schools and
the teachers—those with more knowledge and understanding of the world and society.
Instructional Practices
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Learning occurs in various ways. Learning truth and reality can happen from hands on
experiences or physical observations. When students have the ability to view or experience what
is being taught, they are likely to grasp the information. Learning can also occur through
transmission from more knowledgeable individuals, such as teachers. Students know that
educators have studied and gained large amounts of information in order to be professionals in
certain subject matters. Because of this, students often trust that the information being passed to
them from educators is true. Students can use skill such as memorization and drill to gain
knowledge from an educator through transmission. As a Christian, I also believe learning can
occur through faith. There are some questions and concerns that mankind do not have the
answers for. In these situations, it is through faith in God that we can learn the answers. Learning
is a very unique process for all individuals. There is no one way that all individuals learn. It is
essential that opportunities for all learning styles are provided in the classroom.
In order to truly know if learning has occurred, educators must check in a number of
various ways; there is no one way that will give an accurate representation of learning due to all
students be unique individuals. One of the many ways I like to check for learning is through
question. I question students about processes and previously learning information continuously
through lessons. This allows students to constantly use prior knowledge and learn how it
connects with the new information that is being presented. A second way I measure learning is
by comparing students’ own assignments and assessments and checking for increased scores.
This allows me to check for learning against students’ own personal knowledge rather than
against expected scores that may not be feasible for certain students. Lastly, I measure learning
through the creation of a portfolio. This is a performance-based assessment. Mclaughlin,
Mclaughlin, and Pringle (2013) stated that performance assessments “are a means of assessing
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conceptual understanding while providing students with various opportunities to demonstrate
learning outcomes” (p. 50). Many students do not perform well on tests due to stress and anxiety.
A portfolio allows for a different assessment technique that eliminates much of the stress and
anxiety that students face when testing. Learning cannot be measured by the same processes or
scores for all students, so by using various methods and assessing students based on their
previous work, I am able to have a true understanding of if learning is occurring in the
classroom.
Teacher – Learner Relationships
Teacher – learner relationships are critical for providing effective learning environments.
Without positive relationships, students are not willing to put forth the effort required to truly
learn. Many researchers and authors, such as Buhs, Ladd, and Harald (2006) and many more,
have “argued that children who have positive relationships with their teachers are able to acquire
skills and knowledge more easily through participation and engagement in the classroom” (as
cited by Toste, Heath, Connor, & Peng, 2015, p. 31). A positive relationship is built through
getting to know students and showing interest in their lives. However, educators must know how
to form relationships that are healthy and do not cross any lines of being too involved in students’
lives. Relationships must be established early during the class, but should be created once
students understand their role, as well as the teacher’s role, in the classroom.
In the classroom, teachers and students have extremely different roles. The role of the
teacher is the pass knowledge on to students. The role of students is to listen and actively learn
from the teacher. If the teacher or the students are not performing their role, there is often a gap
in learning. Without effectively engaging in the necessary roles, learning does not occur. It is
essential that educators make sure that students know what the roles of the classroom are from
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the very beginning. This allows no room for misinterpretation of the students’ role in the
classroom and allows for effective learning to occur.
Diversity
Diversity plays a large role in today’s classrooms. Inclusion is extremely important so
that all students have a fair opportunity to learn. All individuals are unique, have their own
learning abilities and paces, and come from different backgrounds and cultures. Because of this,
there is often a large gap in the learning levels and abilities seen in a classroom. Teachers must
be willing to provide learning opportunities for low achieving students while also providing
opportunities for high achieving students. Thus, it is essential that instructors use various
methods and techniques for all students to gain knowledge.
As a math teacher, in my classroom, diversities require me to present information in
multiple different ways. One way of solving math problems may not work for all students.
Diversities in the classroom require the implementation of verbal and visual instruction and
examples, along with providing manipulatives for kinesthetic learners. Knowing the various
diversities in the classroom allow educators to form positive, caring relationships with students
that lead to better learning opportunities for all.
Conclusion
Education provides students with necessary knowledge while also teaching them how to
have disciple, be hard workers, use critical thinking and problem solving, and overall, be
successful in today’s world. In order to develop students with these characteristics, teachers must
provide opportunities for learning through various methods and styles. Educators must
incorporate all learners for equal learning opportunities, and teachers must strive to form
~---y-
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relationships with students to provide better opportunities for learning to occur. Education is a
vital part of raising generations that will be useful members of society.
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References
Cohen, L. M. (1999). Philosophical perspectives in education. Retrieved July 8, 2018, from
https://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP3.html
Knight, G. R. (2006). Philosophy & education: An introduction in Christian perspective(4th
ed.). Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press.
McLaughlin, C. A., McLaughlin, F. C., & Pringle, R. M. (2013). Simply performance
assessment. Science and Children, 51(3), 50-55.
Toste, J. R., Heath, N. L., Connor, C. M., & Peng, P. (2015). Reconceptualizing teacher-student
relationships. Elementary School Journal,116(1), 30-48. doi:10.1086/683110
