A Brief History of Educational Philosophies

Have you ever wondered how teachers and schools decide how to teach you? It’s because of something called educational philosophies! These are big ideas about how people learn and how schools should be run. Let’s explore some of the most important ones in chronological order:

1. Ancient Greece: Socrates (469-399 BCE) Socrates believed that people already know things, they just need to be asked the right questions to remember them. He thought that teachers should ask questions to help students figure things out on their own. This is called the Socratic method.

2. 17th-18th centuries: John Locke John Locke said that our minds are like blank slates, and we learn by experiencing the world around us. He believed that teachers should provide opportunities for students to explore and discover things for themselves.

3. Late 18th-19th centuries: Jean-Jacques Rousseau Rousseau thought that children are naturally good and curious, and they should be allowed to learn at their own pace. He believed in giving students freedom to explore and make mistakes.

4. Early 20th century: John Dewey John Dewey said that learning should be hands-on and practical. He believed that students should work together to solve real-life problems, and that teachers should guide them rather than lecture.

5. Mid-20th century: B.F. Skinner B.F. Skinner believed that learning is all about behavior and rewards. He thought that teachers should use positive reinforcement, like stickers or stars, to encourage good behavior and learning.

6. Late 20th century: Howard Gardner Howard Gardner said that people have different types of intelligence, like math, language, or art. He believed that teachers should try to reach students in different ways to help them learn.

These are just a few of the many educational philosophies that have shaped the way we learn today. Each one has contributed to our understanding of how people learn and how schools can help us grow and succeed!

Reference it APA:

Hussain, M. (2024, July 3). Teaching Titans: The Philosophers Who Shaped Our Schools. ZmNoe. https://zmnoe.com/2024/07/03/teaching-titans-the-philosophers-who-shaped-our-schools/

‌In-text citation: (Hussain,2024)