Reconstructionism/critical thinking Presenter atsuku m.
narciso
The scope of my discussion :
 The meaning of Reconstructionism
 Founder of reconstructionism/ His Approach
 Proponent of Reconstructionism
 What is Reconstructionism in Education
 First person used the word Reconstructionism in Education
 What is Reconstructionism in Education Philosophy
 Social Reconstructionist
 Reconstructionist Educator focus/Design
 Nature of learner
 Classroom management
 The teacher role

2.According to Meriam Webster dictionary
Reconstructionism is a
 a movement in 20th century, an American Judaism
that advocates a creative adjustment to
contemporary conditions through the cultivation of
traditions and folkways shared by all Jews.
 advocacy of post-Civil War Reconstruction
on 1881 first known use of Reconsrtuctionism

3.What is Reconstructionism?
Is a philosophy that believes in the
rebuilding of social and cultural
infrastructures. Students are to study social
problems and think of ways to improved
society.

4. RECONSTRUCTIONISM
AND EDUCATION
Reconstructionism is a philosophy of
education that focuses on empowering the
learner to take control of their own
learning.

5. When this principle begin?
 The principles of Reconstructionism
were first publicly enunciated by Rabbi
Mordecai M. Kaplan (1881–1983) in his
book Judaism as a Civilization (1934).
Kaplan felt that for Jews to survive in
modern times, especially in the United
States, it was necessary for them to
reconstruct their lives on the cultural
foundation of a historical peoplehood.

6.The reason of Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan
1. to maintain and strengthen their identity as
Jews.
2.Cherish all elements of their history ( language,
arts, ritual).
3. Learn to respect diversity as an enrichment of
Jewish life.
4. All Jews can actively participate in Jewish life
while freely mingling with other people.
They must be willing to accept constant change
and creativity as normal signs of vitality and growth.

7.Who was the first person used the word
reconstructionism in Education
 The term Reconstructionism was
used by John Dewey in philosophy
for the first time. Then this term
was used by Theodore Brameld in
his book titled “Toward a
Reconstructed Philosophy of
Education” He was an activitist
and switch to reconstructionist.

8. Proponent of Recostructionism
Reconstructionist ideas is one form or another
have existed throughout history. Plato was a
reconstructionist philosopher. He outlined a plan
for a just state in which education would become
the building material for a new better society.
Stoic philosophers, particulary in their concern for
a world state, promoted a reconstructionist ideal.

9.STOIC PHILOSOPHERS

10.What is Reconstructionism in Education
Philosophy?
The Reconstructionism in Education
Philosophy is the belief that education
should be designed so that learners
experience learning in an environment
where they are treated like democratic
participants. Teachers and managers are
there to help and guide, not to control.

11. Social-reconstructionist
education
 Social-reconstructionist education was based on the theory that
society can be reconstructed through the complete control of
education. The objective was to change society to conform to
the basic ideals of the political party or government in power or
to create an utopian society through education.
 Theodore Brameld is known as the founder of Social
Reconstructionism. Theodore Brameld was the first to publicly
support the Social Reconstructionist theory of education. He
believed that schools should be the biggest proponent of social
change in the world.

12.Social – reconstructionist
1.George Counts (1889-1974)
Recognized that education was the means of preparing
people for creating this new social order (Kozol 1975).
Critical theorists, like social reconstructionists, believe
that systems must be changed to overcome oppression
and improve human conditions.

13. PAULO FREIRE (1921-1997)
was a Brazilian whose experiences living
in poverty led him to champion education
and literacy as the vehicle for social
change. Freire saw teaching and learning
as a process of inquiry in which the child
must invent and reinvent the
world(Nietzsche 1996).
He said,” Education doesn’t change the world,
education changes the people who will change the
world.”

14.Jonathan Kozol
is an American writer progressive activist, and educator, best known
for his books on public education in the United States.
Jonathan Kozol's Savage Inequalities (1991) makes a similar claim: the middle
and upper classes are willing to allow the poor a certain limited access to the
goods of society, but are unwilling to make life chances equal by sharing the
wealth or providing truly equal opportunities. Kozol cites as proof the glaring
discrepancies between schools in poorer neighborhoods and those in more
affluent neighborhoods.
•

17. Nature of Learner
* Students are a critical element in
bringing social change
* Students are capable of initiating
and adapting to change especially if
they are influenced by appropriate adult
role models.
Foundation of American Education (Josh Wilson)

18. CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
* Teacher and students question the assumptions of the status quo
and examine social issues and future trends.
* Organize classroom in a class less nonsexist and non racial
manner
* Less emphasis on management and control and more focus on
community building
* atmosphere promotes analysis, criticism, and research would
best describe the classroom environment
* Conflict resolution and differences in world views would be
encouraged and reinforced.

Instructional Methods
*Cooperative learning, problem solving, critical
thinking
* Focus on active learning and activities outside of
school
* students spend time in the community to learn
its problems
* Would analyze research and link issues to place
in the community and larger society
* Take action or responsibility in planning for
change
Foundation of American Education ( Josh Wilson)

METHODS OF TEACHING
* COOPERATIVE LEARNING
* CRITICAL THINKING
* PROBLEM SOLVING
* EXPERIENTIAL

Role of the Teacher
An educator who is also a social activist.
Sees education as a tool for solving the problems of
society.
* The teacher can inform others about the nature
and the extent of the problem.
* Can suggest what one can do about these
problems
* Rather than being passive dispensers of
knowledge, teachers should become facilitators for
analysis and change.

Focus of Learning
* Critically analyze world events
* Explore controversial issues
* Develop vision for new and better world
* Promote programs of cultural renewal

A reconstructionist curriculum would
include bringing students into their
community. Ideally, students would spend
half of their time in the classroom and the
other half outside of the classroom in
different settings. The curriculum would
encourage students to directly apply what
they are learning through social activism,
reform and change.

Reconstructionism and Education
Recunstructionists seek a curriculum that emphasizes
cultural pluralism, equality and futurism.
* Critically examines the cultural heritage of a society as
well as entire civilization.
* Is not afraid to examine controversial issues.
* Is deliberately committed to bring about social and
constructive change.
* Cultivate a future planning attitude that considers the
realities of the world.
* Enlists students and teachers in a definite program to
enhance cultural renewal and interculturism.

As what I have learned and found on my topic. I reflected
myself that this reconsructionism philosophy in education
make students be alert and active in society, make them
think critically aware on the current problems and issues
and to be able them to solve through education. Schools,
teachers, the curriculum are the factors so that we can
produce a critical learners to change our society that our
society practices on racial and economic status
descrimation. I believed that the “Youth is the hope of our
nation.”