Chapter 6 Key Terms: Philosophy of Education Flashcards
(26 cards)
Academy
A classical secondary school in colonial America that emphasized elements of Latin and English grammar schools and by the nineteenth century became more of a college preparatory school. Also the name of ancient Greek school founded by Plato
Mortimer Adler
An extreme Perennialist advocate who proposed non-elective, common curriculum in his Paideia Proposal. He believed that students should be educated through the classics and pursue education for a lifetime
Aesthetics
The branch of philosophy that examines the nature of beauty and judgements about it
Aristotle
A philosopher who studied under Plato, famous for his ideas in philosophy and the study of the physical world. He is known for his ethical and political theories and promoted the doctrine of the Golden Mean
Back-to-the-basics
The general idea that a return to the basic subjects of math, science, reading, and other areas was in order due to falling test scores.
William Bagley
1874-1946: A promoter of the essentialist theory in education. He believed in a rigorous and non-elective educational philosophy, while promoting critical-thinking skills leading to real-world application
Behaviorism
A psychological theory that interprets human behavior in terms of stimuli-response
Behavior Modification
A strategy to alter behavior in a desired direction through the use of rewards
Cartesian dualism
The belief that reality is composed of both materialism and idealism, body and mind
Constructivism
With roots in cognitive psychology, and educational approach built on the idea that people construct their understanding of the world. Constructivist teachers gauge a student’s prior knowledge, then carefully orchstrate cues, classroom activities, and penetrating questions to push students to higher levels of understanding
Core curriculum
A central body of knowledge that schools require all students to study. This common core curriculum goes beyond common core standards because it includes specific course content
George Counts
1907-1974: A bold and active social reconstructionist who desired to use the classroom as a tool to solve social problems
Deductive reasoning
Working from a general rule to identify particular examples and applications to that rule
John Dewey
An educational philosopher who believed in social interaction and real-world experimentation as the basis for an effective education.
Empiricism
The philosophy that maintains that sensory experiences, such as seeing, hearing, and touching, are the ultimate sources of all human knowledge. Empiricists believe that we experience the external world by sensory perception; then, through reflection, we conceptualize ideas that help us interpret the world.
Epistemology
The branch of philosophy that examines the nature of knowledge and learning
Essentialism
An educational philosophy that emphasizes basic skills of reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, geography, and language
Ethics
he branch of philosophy that examines questions of right and wrong, good and bad.
Ethnocentrism
The tendency to view one’s own culture as superior to others, or to fail to consider other cultures in a fair manner
Paulo Friere
A Marxist-influenced educational influencer who believed in praxis, while rejecting social darwinism. He believed that the rich and powerful were catered to in the schools, leaving the disadvantaged without proper support
Golden Mean
The doctrine put forth by Aristotle asserting that virtue lies in the middle ground between two extremes.
Great Books
The heart of the perennialists’ curriculum that includes great works of the past in literature, philosophy, science, and other areas.
Maxine Greene
An existentialist who believed that students should create meaning in their lives through the arts and humanities
Idealism
A doctrine holding that knowledge is derived from ideas and emphasizing moral and spiritual reality as a preeminent source of explanation.
