Philosophy of Education Woods

Philosophy of Education
Dana Woods
Westminster College
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Purpose of Education:
The invaluable purpose of education is to help guide students towards becoming
conscious, compassionate and competent adults, with the ability and will to act as forces of
positive change. Education is to expand upon the existing resources of students, and draw from
them to enhance the learning experience. Another responsibility of education is to blend
academics with moral development. Throughout their educational experiences, students should
gain self-awareness, compassion, and character. Encouraging introspection grants students the
opportunity to develop their sense of identity and confidence. Instilling compassion and the
ability to collaborate with others will promote strong relationships throughout their lives.
Education must incorporate a global awareness and help students to understand the underlying
structures and power dynamics of the world. In learning these ideals, students will develop
critical thinking abilities. In this way, with these potent skills, education will enable students to
enter the world not only prepared to function in society, but prepared to shape and better society
as a whole.
The Value of Learners:
"There is in every child at every stage a new miracle of vigorous unfolding, which constitutes a
new hope and responsibility for all." Erik Erikson
Learners are individuals. Each child holds beautiful potential and possibilities. Each child
enters the learning environment with unique backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities. The
unique resources each student brings to the learning environment can contribute to every
learners experience and provide broadened perspectives and understandings. As an educator, it
is essential to create an environment of trust and sharing so that diversity is brought to light and
not cast away into the shadows of fear and rejection. Educators must connect and form
meaningful relationships with their students. This can best be instilled through first seeing the
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value each student carries within themtheir stories, experiences, aspirations and ways of
understanding. When the educator becomes a learner, and is able to learn and expand through
their students, the ultimate environment blossoms for all.
The Pursuit of Knowledge:
Knowledge can be defined as the immersion into information, facts and skills and further
into awareness shaped through understanding and experience. Academic skills and facts are
valuable and important parts of our heritage and society and an un-dismissible piece of
productive curriculum. However, without ample awareness and understanding academics are
lacking meaning or relevance. Thus, developing awareness of oneself and of ones surroundings
are paramount in true knowledge. To develop the capacity to think critically and creatively will
evoke insight and drive in learners. Information also must be made relevant to engage learners
and for them to apply law to matter.
Pedagogy:
Children have expansive imaginations and are innately flourishing with the ambition to
learn. Educators are given the opportunity to both guide and inspire learning. Educators must
assess and identify with learners. Through creating connections between educators and learners
and building a community within the classroom, learning will thrive. For knowledge to become
deeply ingrained, knowledge has to become an embodiment of experience. In this way, teaching
must be dynamic and hands-on. It is crucial that students feel valued and empowered, as
progressive participants of their education. By allowing students to discuss, form and take
responsibility in the curriculum, collaboration and organic insights arise. Active conversation
and questioning between all members of the classroom promotes critical thinking and problem
solving skills. And at the foremost, each students invaluable preexisting tools must be
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uncovered and shared and used to design the course of education. The resources of culture,
history and imagination each learner possesses have the magnitude to infinitely shape and
amplify learning.
Equitable Education:
Students have diverse abilities and skills as well as levels of development, personalities
and interests. Every student deserves an equal opportunity to develop, learn and grow. Through
flexible, differentiated instruction, educators can provide this opportunity to each student.
Learners also come from varied backgrounds. With the profound economic disparities in the
world, unjustifiably equitable education for all does not exist. The disparities in resources and
funding for schools in lower socioeconomic settings work to perpetuate inequity. Beyond the
imbalance in the economics of education, persistent issues of race, gender and class permeate the
education system. These issues are systematically and often blindly instituted through their
underlying entanglement with the structures that define the education system. To provide
equitable education these issues and the forces that propel them must first be acknowledged, and
then fragmented and restructured. The greatest tool individuals and educators have to generate an
impact on these issues, is to cultivate awareness in students, community members and other
educators. Creating an environment of equity and adaptively drawing upon differences for
teaching and learning can further accomplish equity within the classroom.
As students evolve through the process of their education, their experiences will largely
define their identities, values and focuses. Importantly, the children they once were, will become
the members that complete our society. A meaningful education will leave them abundant with
insights, consciousness and compassion to deliver to the world. A positive education has the
power to effect the future.
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Philosophy of Education

The invaluable purpose of education is to help guide students towards becoming

them to enhance the learning experience. Another responsibility of education is to blend

The Value of Learners:

new hope and responsibility for all." Erik Erikson

learners experience and provide broadened perspectives and understandings. As an educator, it

their students, the ultimate environment blossoms for all.

The Pursuit of Knowledge:

and for them to apply law to matter.

power to effect the future.

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