This document discusses the philosophical foundations of education in the United States. It begins by explaining why philosophy is important for teachers and defines philosophy as identifying basic truths about existence, knowledge, and ethics. The document then covers the main branches of philosophy and five modern philosophical orientations to teaching. Finally, it discusses how teachers can develop their own educational philosophy by reflecting on their beliefs about teaching, learning, students, and knowledge.

1. Caprice Paduano
Chapter 4
Philosophical Foundations of U.S. Education
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2. 1. Why is philosophy important to teachers?
2. What is the nature of philosophy?
3. What determines your educational philosophy?
4. What are the branches of philosophy?
5. What are five modern philosophical
orientations to teaching?
6. What psychological orientations have
influenced teaching philosophies?
7. How can you develop your educational
philosophy
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3. • Understanding of philosophy will enhance
professionalism
• Use as a guide for Professional Action
• Focuses efforts
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4. Philosophy
identifying the basic truths about being, knowledge,
and conduct
Love of Wisdom
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5.  Beliefs about Teaching and Learning
 Transmission of Knowledge
 Construction of Knowledge
 Beliefs about Students
 Beliefs about Knowledge
 Beliefs about What is worth knowing
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6. Metaphysics
explaining the nature of reality
Epistemology
explaining knowledge
Knowing based on:
Authority
Divine Revelation
Empiricism
Reason and Logic
Intuition
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7. Axiology
Explaining values
Ethics
Explaining morals
Aesthetics
Explaining values or art and beauty
Logic
Explaining reasoning
Deductive
Inductive
 Socratic questioning
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8. Humanism
Personal freedom and responsibility determine learning
Behaviorism
Environment determines learning
Constructivism
Cognitive processes to construct learning
•Cognitive Science – study of mental processes
used in thinking and remembering
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9. Perennialism
Knowledge of unchanging principles or great ideas
Essentialism
Knowledge of core subjects
Progressivism
Knowledge from student’s interest
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10. Existentialism
Knowledge of what is important to the student
Postmodern--Knowledge that challenges historically
constructed views of reality
Social Reconstructionism
Knowledge about changing the social order
Critical Pedagogy – focus on how education can promote
social justice
Feminist Pedagogy – focus on creating caring communities of
engaged learners, collaboration and democracy for all
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11. 6. What sensory related environmental considerations are made (e.g. noise, lighting, over visual stimulation on
walls and spaces)?
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12. Eclectic Philosophy
unique blend of 2 or more philosophies
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