John Locke: The Empiricist Educator
Empiricism is a philosophical belief that states your knowledge of the world is
based on your experiences, particularly your sensory experiences. According
to empiricists, our learning is based on our observations and perception;
knowledge is not possible without experience. Acquire knowledge about the
world through the senses- learning by doing and by interacting with the
environment Simple ideas become more complex through comparison,
reflection and generalization- inductive method Questioned the long
traditional view that knowledge came exclusively from the literary sources
knowledge came exclusively from the literary sources
Herbert Spencer: Utilitarian Education
Spencer’s concept of “survival of the fittest” means that human
development had gone through an evolutionary series of stages from the
simple to the complex and from the uniform to the more specialized kind of
activity. Curriculum should emphasize the practical, utilitarian and specific
subjects that helped human kind master the environment Was not inclined to
rote learning, schooling must be related to life and to the activities needed to
earn a living. Science and other subjects that sustained human life and
prosperity should have curricular priority since it aids in the performance of
life activities Individual competition leads to social progress
John Dewey: Learning though Experience
Education is a social progress and so school is intimately related to the
society that it serves. Children are socially active human beings who want to
explore their environment and gain control over [Link] is a social
progress by which the immature members of the group, especially the
children, are brought to participate in the society. The sole purpose of
education is to contribute to the personal and social growth of individuals
Schools are for the people and by the people. Schools are democratic
institution where everyone regardless of age, ethnicity, social status is
welcomed and encouraged to participate in the democratic process of
decision-making.
George Counts: Building a New Social Order
Education is not based on eternal truth but is relative to a particular society
living at a given time and space. Schools become instrument for social
improvement rather than an agency for preserving the status quo Teachers
should lead society rather than follow it. Teachers are agents of change
Schools ought to provide and education that afford equal learning
opportunities toall students
Theodore Brameld : Social Reconstructionism
Also called Critical Theory or Critical Pedagogy Is a philosophy that
emphasizes the addressing of social questions and a quest to create a better
society and worldwide democracy. Reconstructionist educators focus on a
curriculum that highlights social reform as the aim of education.
Technological era is an era of interdependence and so education must be
international in scope for global citizenship Education is designed “to awaken
student’s consciousness about social problems and to engaged them actively
in problem solving. Social reconstructionists are firmly commited to equality
or equity in both society and education. Barriers of socio-economic class and
racial discrimination should be eradicated.
Paulo Freire: Critical Pedagogy
Education and literacy are vehicle for social change. Humans must learn to
resist oppression and not become its victims, nor oppress others. To do so
requires dialogue and critical consciousness, the development of awareness
to overcome domination and oppression A democratic relationship between
the teacher and her students is necessary in order for the concretization
process to take place.
What is Critical Pedagogy ?
Is a teaching approach which attempts to help students question and
challenge domination, and the beliefs and practices that dominate them. It
tries to help students become critically conscious.
