Dr. William Allan Kritsonis earned his BA in 1969 from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington. In 1971, he earned his M.Ed. from Seattle Pacific University. In 1976, he earned his PhD from the University of Iowa. In 1981, he was a Visiting Scholar at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, and in 1987 was a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.
In June 2008, Dr. Kritsonis received the Doctor of Humane Letters, School of Graduate Studies from Southern Christian University. The ceremony was held at the Hilton Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.
4. Articles
• “This report was very eye-opening.”
• “This surprised me because…”
• “I support this article and agree on…”
• “Even though I feel the study was
unfair, I can still understand…”
5. Philosophy: a study of theories of
knowledge, truth, existence, and good
Theory: a set of related principles that
are based on observation and are used
to explain additional observations
Philosophy of education: provides a
framework for thinking about
educational issues, and it guides
professional practice
How do I get one???
6. Teachers acquire a
philosophical framework to
guide their practice by
becoming knowledgeable and
reflective, which allows them
to make professional decisions
that promote as much growth
in their students as possible.
7. Traditional Schools of
Philosophy
• 4 cohesive philosophies on which
most educational decisions are based:
– Idealism
– Realism
– Pragmatism
– Existentialism
8. Idealism
Plato, Greek Philosopher
• A traditional philosophy asserting
that, because the physical world is
constantly changing, ideas are the
only reliable form of reality
9. Idealism and Teaching
• Socratic method: questioning
• Believe that teaching and learning should
focus on ideas. Teachers provide guidance
by helping students become more precise
and logical thinkers
• Criticized for being cold because it
emphasizes the rational and logical over
other dimensions of the human experience.
10. Realism
Aristotle, Greek
Philosopher
• Holds that the features of the universe
exist whether or not a human being is
there to perceive them
• There are important ideas and facts that
must be understood and they can only be
understood by studying the material world
11. Realism and Teaching
• Curriculum emphasizes essentials like
math, science, reading, and writing
• Teachers emphasize observation,
experimentation, and critical reasoning
• De-emphasize feelings and other personal
factors
• Criticized for failing to take the whole
person into account in the learning process
12. Pragmatism
John Dewey, American
Philosopher
• A traditional philosophy that rejects
the idea of absolute, unchanging
truth, instead asserting that truth is
what works
13. Pragmatism and Teaching
• Experience and problem solving are
key ideas
• More hands-on, concrete experiences
than lecture
• Interdisciplinary problem solving
• Criticized for emphasizing student
interests too strongly at the expense
of essential knowledge
14. Existentialism
Sartre, French Philosopher
• A traditional philosophy suggesting that
humanity isn’t part of an orderly universe;
rather, individuals create their own
realities in their own unique way
• View humanity as meaningless on a small,
isolated planet in an uncertain universe
where nothing is determined
15. Existentialism and Teaching
• Places primary emphasis on the individual.
We teach a child, not math.
• Education is an individual’s search for
personal understanding, not something to
be tested on
• Learner-centered and nondirective
approach
• Criticized for impossibility of total
freedom in a society with rules
16. Schools of Philosophy
• Idealism: A traditional philosophy asserting that,
because the physical world is constantly changing,
ideas are the only reliable form of reality
• Realism: Holds that the features of the universe
exist whether or not a human being is there to
perceive them
• Pragmatism: A traditional philosophy that rejects
the idea of absolute, unchanging truth, instead
asserting that truth is what works
• Existentialism: A traditional philosophy suggesting
that humanity isn’t part of an orderly universe;
rather, individuals create their own realities in
their own unique way
Which is closest to your beliefs as a student? A
parent? A teacher? Discuss in your groups.
18. Perennialism
• An educational philosophy suggesting that
nature, including human nature, is constant
• Believe in rigorous intellectual curriculum
for all students
• The extent to which students find their
studies relevant isn’t crucial
• Criticized for being elitist
19. Essentialism
• An educational philosophy suggesting that
there is a critical core of information that
all people should possess.
• Back to the basic skills and academic
subjects. Students should be able to
master these subjects
• Criticize interdisciplinary teaching
20. Progressivism
• An educational philosophy emphasizing
curricula that focus on real-world problem
solving and individual development
• Hands-on, learner-centered, teacher as
facilitator
• Also criticized for focusing too much on
the child’s personal interest
21. Postmodernism
• An educational philosophy that contends
that many of the institutions in our
society, including schools, are used by
those in power to control and marginalize
those who lack power
• Study events from the view of the
marginalized party’s perspective
24. Read pages 204-207 and
create your own Philosophy of
Education Statement. Be sure
to use philosophy names.
It should be typed, double
spaced with standard fonts and
margins. Length is up to you,
but less than one page is not
recommended.
Exit: There is nothing more to turn in, but you
need to stay until you have a handle on how to
begin your paper.
