I found this week’s class’s subject about the starts of our (the United State’s) educational system to be very interesting because Thomas Jefferson and Horace Mann wrestled with similar to the issues that we encounter today. To see the prospective of Thomas Jefferson and Horace Mann helps gives an understanding how our education system started more at the local level and moved later the national level. Their prospective helps us realize many of the issues that we face today are not new and we need to strive to move past these issues to better our educational system. Reading about their philosophy of education makes me think about my own philosophy of education.
I have to be honest. My philosophy of education for the last few years has been focused on how I can be an educator in museums. Part of my philosophy of museum education centers on museums programs being aligned to state curriculum standards and benchmarks to make the museum for accessible to teachers. I really wanted to work in history museums because I was to share my love of history with the public. So the question posed in this class “What is your philosophy of education?” made me really think about the question and what my answer would be.
Here are some of my thoughts ….
- Being able to make connections between the past and present in a historical context, understand of what was happen in one part of the United States and connect it to the national picture
- To be critical thinkers
- To teach them life skills
- Share my understanding that we all at times have struggles with different subjects and that I am there and supportive in helping them improve those skills
- Creating a foundation that they can build on for the rest of their lives.
Mariko, I love how you looked at these last chapters...I really enjoyed being in your group and getting your perpectives of Thomas Jefferson, Horace Mann and the beginning (history) of education in the U.S. I think your thoughts on philosophy (bullet points) are really good and it seems like you have a unique and really special connection to museums whichI think your students will benefit from greatly!Good luck on continuing your progression with your philosophy of education!
ReplyDeleteThe discussion of Thomas Jefferson's struggles made me think of how we get things done today. What would happen if public education were being brought up to vote today?
ReplyDeleteI wonder how each side would defend or speak against it.
Your idea about more closely aligning museum programs with schools' curricula is a cool one. I used to volunteer for the forest service and I remember their supplementary material as being mostly focused on little kids, with fewer materials for older students.
ReplyDeleteYour idea could be seen as an argument for a more centralized, national curriculum. That way, no matter where a class (or student) travels, they can visit a museum and find worksheets or other learning material specifically suited to their grade level.