Realism & Idealism

Upon completion of Learning Unit 1, students should be able to:

Define philosophy and explain its origins in human thought.
Compare and contrast Idealism and Realism as foundational perspectives.
Explain the concept of 'philosophy of education' and its role in shaping thinking.
Analyse how philosophical perspectives influence educational debates.
Identify key global traditions and their relevance to diverse teaching contexts.
Provide examples of how global perspectives inform inclusive educational practice.

Philosophy of education explores five central questions:

The term "Philosophy" is derived from Greek origins:

Philosophy: The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. It is a standalone academic discipline and a theory.
Educational Philosophy: A subset of general philosophy. It is a branch of applied or practical philosophy concerned with the nature and aims of education, as well as philosophical problems arising from educational theory and practice.

Basic philosophical issues: Identifying knowledge worth teaching, the character of educational equality, and justice.
Problems of specific policies: Standardized curricula, testing, and the social, economic, legal, and moral dimensions of curriculum decisions.

Definition: The branch that addresses questions of reality.
Inquiry areas: What is reality? Are people basically good or bad? What is the nature of the world?
Sub-branches:
- Ontology: The nature of being and reality.
- Cosmology: The origin and structure of the universe.
- Theology: Questions regarding God and relations between God, humankind, and the universe.
Educational application: Directs decisions on what should be taught, how to organize the classroom for maximum learning, and which motivational strategies to employ.

Definition: The study of knowledge and how we come to know.
Inquiry areas: What is knowledge? What is truth? Where did knowledge originate? How do we learn?
Educational application: Focuses on the profession of teaching. It concerns two main areas:
- How learners should learn.
- Pedagogy: Determining how teachers should teach.

Ethics: Concerned with character, values, and how humans should act.
Aesthetics: Concerned with the notion of beauty, art, literature, and the self.

Philosophy in the educational context functions as a bridge between several elements:

Philosophy and Teaching: Influence of beliefs on classroom practice.
Philosophy and Content: Deciding what is taught.
Philosophy and Culture: How educational culture interacts with values.
Philosophy and Diversity: Addressing learning needs and inclusive practices.
Stakeholders: Interactions between educational philosophy, parents, and learners.

As part of the inquiry into the Concept of Philosophy of Education (Theme 1), students must examine the following:

Personal Belief Analysis: Have you analyzed your own beliefs and opinions about life? Why do you hold them?
The Purpose of Education: What should the purpose of education be?
Impact of Predispositions: Why and how will your beliefs about teaching impact what and how you teach?
Social Reform: How can philosophy be used to give children a better education and future?
Mind vs. Practice: Which is more important: developing the mind through ideas, or focusing on practical, real-world knowledge?

Discussion related to a song/video (implied Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall") includes:

Critique: Examining themes of conformity, individuality, rebellion, and control.
Visual Analysis: Graphic images used to express themes of resistance and freedom.
Educational Debates: Connecting these themes to current issues like school discipline and curriculum structure.