The study of the history and philosophy of education is a study of the wide range of purposes for education and how those purposes have manifested themselves throughout history up to our current system. It is my hope that through this study I will better understand the societal purposes for education and my role as a teacher within those purposes. For example, if the purpose of high school is to teach a vocation and ready students for the working world certain skills will be taught. On the other hand, if the purpose is to train critical thinkers and active participants in democracy the skills to be taught (and the role of the teacher) will be quite different.
This study will also give me an opportunity to examine my own reasons and purposes as a teacher. My personal philosophies will determine largely my attitude toward my students, my subject area, and the school as an institution. I look forward to defining these philosophies this semester.
In this first week we, as students, constructed name cards to use at each class period so the professors can learn our names. The URL below lists several methods a teacher might use to learn the names of his/her students.