Voices

After reading The History and Philosophy of Education: Voices of Educational Pioneers, I found my voices that I agreed with but there were four that I had many of the same views as. The first educator I agreed with the most was Augustine. He discussed the fact that having a student memorize another person's text book isn't teaching at all. I know many math teachers believe that they need to teach by the book and it's because many schools want them to teach the students the book. But why can't teachers build their own textbooks with their own activities? Teachers wouldn't need the text book to teach the class because they will already know it since they created it. He also discusses the idea of motivating students by making the environment pleasant. I am hoping I can do this for my students, because I'm sure their aren't many kids who wouldn't want to have a classroom they enjoy being in.

The next educator was Pestalozzi. His idea of education was how I veiw motivating children. Students shouldn't feal fear or be punished during their educational experience. If they feel motivated it should be through a pleaseant experience and their interests should be included in their education. I agree strongly in this because if students are interested in what they are being taught then that is a way to motivate them. He also discusses the idea of a loving teacher-student relationship. When it comes to discipline, I will probably have a hard time with it because I am more into "loving" discipline which is really an oxymoron that doesn't make sense. But When I come to discipling students I don't want to do it by giving them detetion or extra homework. I'm hoping I can discipline them, so that they don't do it again but they also don't hate me was a teacher.

The last educator that I agreed with strongly was Froebel. I like his ideas because they deal with the student discovering things on their own but through different ways. he talked about play, particpate, observe and learn. In high school students aren't exactly going to be playing, but if I give them activities where they feel like they are playing instead of doing work I believe that they will learn better from it. They will be more engaged and they will remember the materials better. When I become a teacher, I plan on being as much of a hands on instructor as I can be. I learned a lot better this way and I know many people who do. I believe that it is important for self discovery, and students can be their own teachers, with a little help and guidance.

Discipline

One point that the boys brought up in their presentation was who makes the rules... When I was working on my philosophy paper this was one thing I discussed. I plan on being a student-centered teacher so when it comes to making the rules of the classroom I want it to be something that my students think up, with maybe a little bit of help from me. One thing I was debateable on when thinking about this, was it all depends on who my students are. In some classes I'm going to have students who will think up rules that are simple and will let them get away with anything. In other classes I will have students responsible enough to think up rules where they will respect everyone and everything in the classroom but at the same time they will still enjoy being in the class. Discipline is one of the touchiest subjects for me because I am not good at discipling people and being harsh or standing my ground when I need to. This is one aspect of teaching that I already know I will really have to work on.