Philosophy of Education

Philosophy of Education

Education is a fundamental human activity as it fosters profound changes in every human being. Historically, education has significantly impacted people's lives via physical, mental, and spiritual enhancement. The way human beings transit from infancy to adulthood necessitates education, which is one of the definitive features of the learning process. In this context, my philosophy of education centers on enlightenment and sound mind. It would be a fundamental societal misconception to associate the sound mind with educational qualifications merely based on degrees, diplomas, or certificates. The sound mind represents the enlightenment generated through knowledge acquisition via education and learning processes. The paradigmatic individuals in their respective field guided by a sound mind incorporate attributes such as leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, active listening, patience, enthusiasm, encouragement, trust, and comfort (Dabbagh, 2017). Thus, my philosophy of education is encapsulated by the sound mind attribute that fosters enlightenment by an increasingly learned person.

It is essential to have schools for education because they provide a conducive environment for students to access resources that assist the learning process. Classrooms in schools offer dedicated spaces for students to study, with seats and desks designed for learning; libraries have study materials for reviewing lessons, and laboratories are equipped with all the tools and equipment necessary to enable students to learn by experimentation. Schools are also important because they provide an institutional setting where education is viewed as a rite of passage; hence, all children must go through schools to exhibit normal growth and development. It would be a fundamental evil for schools' systems to collapse because there are students who do not comprehend their education as a process of learning but as a practice of going to the classroom to meet instructors and attend lessons on a routine basis (Segundinho, 2023). In this vein, it can be learned that schools offer free daycare for the child's educational development, with the child expected to attend for 12 consecutive years or even longer.

Educational philosophy is divided into four major categories: Teacher-centered, student-centered, curriculum-centered, and society-centered. Each of these has stakeholders playing different roles in schools. The stakeholders in teacher-centered educational philosophy include the following: Students (passive recipients of knowledge); instructor's role is emphasized in developing the curriculum, guiding students learning, and administering assessments (Schiro, 2013). The second category is Teacher's role, which includes(3) instructor's role is emphasized in developing the curriculum, guiding students learning, and administering assessments; (4) Students should be active seekers of knowledge and learning experiences. Curriculum is essential in education as it ensures congruence into students learning, which augurs into society's interest in improving their quality of life. Society: different stakeholders should participate in developing the curriculum (Dabbagh, 2017; Wallace & Adams, 2023).

In conclusion, education is anchored on the premise of illuminating an individual or society via sharing, acquiring, and generating knowledge. In this vein, learning centers promise rich opportunities for students to become enlightened and sound-minded, fostering a wholesome society for all. It is crucial for schools to be in-place because students do not necessarily learn when in school, especially when the courses taught do not excite their personal and professional development. It is vital to encourage critical thinking by augmenting course content and creating a wellbeing school-site.

References:

Dabbagh, N. (2017). Educational theory and practice in the digital age. Routledge.

Schiro, M. S. (2013). Curriculum and ideology: Foundations for student-centered education. Sage Publications.

Segundinho, J. B. (2023). The importance of education: Why is it necessary to attend school. Available at: https://patentpc.com/blog/the-importance-of-education-why-is-it-necessary-to-attend-school/

Wallace, C., & Adams, J. (2023). Foundations of early childhood education: Instruction, assessment, classroom management. Cengage Learning.