Introduction
Philosophy is considered as the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and knowledge. Moreover, in the academic field, philosophy acts as an individual's behaviour. However, in education, it examines the forms, meaning of education, methods, and goals. Moreover, it makes an analysis of certain pedagogical approaches. Various branches of philosophy have helped shape the understanding of both teachers and students. Moreover, having a great understanding of the philosophical ideas is vital considering this has been a great help in shaping education in the United States. Philosophy guides teachers to view education in a manner, which aids them to provide support to their students both academically and in real life situation. Therefore, this study focuses on exploring the role of philosophy in education.
Educational philosophy is a teacher’s personal statement and a guiding principle regarding issues relating to education like effective maximization of students’ potential and learning; it also covers issues like the role educators hold in the society, classroom, school and the entire community (Gafoor & Remia, 2014). The foundation of every teacher’s teaching is education philosophy, which shapes the class according to how the teacher visualizes it. Therefore, whatever the teachers’ philosophy is, it has a direct effect towards their teaching and the outcome. Teachers possess a unique set of skills, which they use to pass across the necessary lessons. There are instances where a teacher may teach long but add fun to the subjects, which students perceive as the most boring and difficult, just to ensure the students love those units and have a better understanding. This narrows down to the teacher’s philosophy, which enhances the skills, they use. Additionally, in the quality of education provided, a teacher is the most important factor.
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The importance of problem-solving, active inquiry, belief in life-long learning, respect for others and responsible behaviour are emphasized by both learning outcomes and overall philosophy. The philosophies used in education are broken down into three major types, which include student-centered philosophies, teacher-centered philosophies, and society-centered philosophies. However, the two most recognized and highly used teacher-centered philosophies of education are Perennialism and Essentialism. In the United States, Essentialism is the leading style used in public education. This style is broadly used worldwide considering it instills in students the basic skills, which are essential in the society as a whole. This style models education based on the skills necessary for survival in the society. On the other hand, Perennialism emphasizes on students learning more about Western civilization. Moreover, this philosophy demands that focus is made on principles and not facts. The society needs the teaching of these two elements in schools considering they play a great role in shaping the student's future careers rather than teaching them things, which will not have an effect on their future.
Philosophies have greatly influenced the education sector ( Birsel & Serkan, 2017). The psychological orientation, which has a great influence on educational philosophy, include constructivism, behaviourism, and humanism. Naturally, children are good considering they have not formed any type or form of hatred and therefore, education helps them focus on personal freedom, the individual needs, and self-actualization. On the other hand, the environment in which the children live in often forms their behaviours. Moreover, educational environments are vital considering the teachers can help instill the desired behaviour on the children with a little help of techniques and skills they have gained in their teaching experience. Conversely, constructivism demands that the teacher have a better understanding of their students and perceive learning as an active process where the students find the meaning of various things (Yavuz, & Muhammed, 2018). Most teachers in this era develop an eclectic educational philosophy rather than remain rigid on one philosophy. Conversely, more professionals strive to achieve clarity and a more comprehensive answer to questions that touch on philosophy. Therefore, having clarity helps in learning situation considering the educators will use their knowledge to expand students’ abilities and knowledge in the learning environment.
Conclusion
Philosophies are key to the development and expansion of knowledge, especially to the school-going children. Educators must ensure they have the necessary philosophies to guide students in the learning sector. The society in this era greatly relies on the teachers to shape the understanding of the students; therefore, the education offered must be in line with societal expectations. Moreover, the students must attain the required skills to navigate the society and be exemplary citizens in the future. Philosophy must be embraced considering various branches of philosophy have helped shape the understanding of both teachers and the students. The philosophical styles of Perennialism and Essentialism are key in education considering the diversity they bring to education doing away with the rigidity previously held in the learning environment. Perennialism ensures students are well equipped with skills to survive in the society; moreover, this style helps the society produce responsible citizens who will learn to form ways of fending for themselves. Therefore, philosophy is vital considering it guides teachers to view education in a manner, which aids them, provide support to their students both academically and in real life situation.
References
Birsel Aybek , Serkan Aslan (2017) The Relationship between Prospective Teachers' Critical Thinking Dispositions and Their Educational Philosophies: Universal Journal of Educational Research 5(4): 544-550, 2017, DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2017.050403
Gafoor Abdul & Remia (2014) Impact of Curricular Reforms on Educational Philosophy Courses in M.Ed Programmes: International conference On Teacher Education Practices and Innovative Trends School of Education, Pondicherry University
Yavuz Bolat1, & Muhammed Baş (2018) The Perception of the Educational Philosophy in the Industrial Age 4.0 and the Educational Philosophy Productivity of Teacher Candidates: Faculty of Education, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey doi:10.5430/wje.v8n3p149; URL: https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v8n3p149
