Voices

The History and Philosophy of Education had many different opinions and beliefs from a wide variety of leaders from different times. Though almost each one of them had at least one similarity to my philosophy, I found that Thomas Aquinas and Comenius’s to be the most similar to myself. If I could combine those two, then there would be a philosophy very similar to mine.
Aquinas similarities include the student understanding how they can act based on their power of choice through what they know and understand. Education is meant to help students develop their intellectual abilities and form their character by giving them the power of choice. Teachers should help equip students in a way that will help them develop good habits through their own free action. A teacher should stress the importance of giving the students opportunities to make good choices, by recognizing their strengths and potentials and allowing them to learn through discovery. Aquinas believed that a good education was one that enabled individuals to engage in activities that allow them to achieve their own good, and happiness. The only way this would work was when family, school, and the community worked together. Aquinas also tells us: “Just as one is inspired to virtue by another and by himself, so also does he get to know something by discovering for himself and learning from another.” Aquinas also believed in studying the classics, as they are an important reason of why we are where we are today, but also studying for the future. The only thing I disagreed with Aquinas on was that woman should have equal rights.
Comenius believed in universal education for all, no matter what their social background, religion, sex, or intellectual ability. He created a universal education that implied holistic development of the human allowing woman, deaf, blind, and retarded individuals to be part of the school. He believed that the parents were the primary educators, especially in the development of the child’s character form. Teachers made the school a workshop for the virtues in order to help each student to develop themselves. Teachers should encourage, be kind, give individual attention to students, and be open to all learners, creating a non-coercive atmosphere in with the subject is presented with a variety and practicality. The teacher should combine moral integrity, enthusiasm, and diligence with pedagogic efficiency. “School is the workshop where young souls are formed to virtue.”
There are other major concepts taken from a wide variety of the philosophers in the text that fit my own philosophy. Similar to myself, Tyler believed in new experiences in educational programs that would interest the students, meet their needs, and prepare them for life after school. Montessori believed that the environment was crucial for student development. The teacher was not their to teach, but rather present, observe, and allow children to teach themselves as they worked with material that made up the properly prepared environment for their activity. The teacher was responsible for creating an environment that through careful observation of student movement and behavior meets the needs and interests of the students and allows them to develop and achieve satisfaction. Like Plato, I expect students to become leaders, and promotion of leadership should be used in different activities. Many of the philosophers believed that motivation of the students was in the hands of the educator; if they created a lesson that meet their interests, needs, and level, then they would want to learn. “He teaches me who puts before my eyes, or any bodily sense, or even my mind itself, those things which I want to learn,” were words spooking from Augustine when referring to the students needs. I also like how Augustine speaks in terms of teachers being role-models, and showing just as much passion and enthusiasm for the content as they expect their students to show. I also like how he built upon ideas and concepts, guiding the students to reach a goal. “We are born with faculties and powers, capable almost of anything; as it is in the body, so it is in the mind, practice makes it what it is.” Locke said these words in terms that every student has their own potential; it just needs to be brought out through the process of education and socialization. Finally, like many of the philosophers, I believe that the educator should care for the students and their abilities to learn.

http://www2.nd.edu/Departments//Maritain/etext/walsh-q.htm -Thomas Aquinas
http://www.comeniusfoundation.org/comenius.htm -Comenius
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/ -Locke