THIS presentation is about the PHILOSOPHY OF REALISM IN EDUCATION.
One can find here the:
general principles of realism
most common and well-known realist
most common form of realism
aims in education
roles of teachers, and;
some teaching methods a teacher can use if he/she is to apply realism in the classroom.
2. TOPICS:
NATURE OF REALISM
Meaning of Realism
PHILOSOPHY OF REALISM
Facts about the Philosophy of Realism
Fundamental Principles of Realism
Values in Realism
FORMS OF REALISM
Scholastic Realism
Humanistic Realism
Social Realism
Sense Realism
Neo-Realism
3. TOPICS:
IMPLICATION OF REALISM IN EDUCATION
Realism and Aim of Education
Realism and Curriculum
Realism and the Teacher
Methods of Teaching
School Organization Influenced by Realism
Realism and the classroom
Conclusion
4.
5. Meaning Of Realism
The term realism come from the Latin “realists”
who is to be really, really real.
Realism refers to the things exist whether or not
the human mind perceives them.
6. Did you know that…
Aristotle was the leading proponent of realism
and the first philosopher to develop a systematic
theory of logic.
In a more deeper meaning of realism, it is a
philosophy that assumes that there is a real
external world that can be recognized.
7. THOMAS AQUINAS
• God made it possible to acquire true knowledge so that
we may know Him better.
• Because we are children of God, our best thinking
should agree with Christian tenets.
• Each person is born with an immortal soul.
• Aquinas epitomized the scholasticism of the Middle
Ages.
• Scholasticism is an approach that emphasized the
human’s eternal soul and salvation.
10. Facts about the Philosophy of Realism
Philosopher who profess realism also believes that
truth consist in a beliefs’ correspondence to reality.
Realism believes in the world which we see or
perceive to be true.
Realists believe in the present life.
11. Facts about the Philosophy of Realism
Realists believe in the truth of life and aim of life are
in the development of unsystematic life.
Knowledge is real and can be assimilated by the
human beings.
Realists distinguish between “appearance” and
“reality”.
12. Facts about the Philosophy of Realism
Individuals does not make reality, they only
discover it.
Realists tend to believe that what we believe now
is only an approximation of reality and that every
new observation brings us closer to understanding
reality.
13. Five Fundamental Principles of Realism
Phenomenal world is true.
Senses are the doors of knowledge.
Opposition of Idealism
Man is a part of material world.
Emphasis on experiment and observation.
14. General Aspects of Realism
Existence-
realists claim about existence.
Independence
15. Values in Realism
• External world is the reality.
• Man will discover reality with the use of science and
common sense through education or learning.
• Mind is functioning & is geared towards creativity.
• Reality can be proved by observation, experience,
experiment and scientific reasoning.
• Values must be studied to be applied in the actual
setting.
16.
17. • It started when medieval thinkers wanted to bring
together a relation between faith (Christian
theology) and reason (Classical Philosophy).
• St. Thomas Aquinas who wrote Summa
Theologica used philosophy to help explain the
doctrine and mysteries of the church.
• Characteristics: Relied on authorities from the
past; Synthesizing of knowledge; Deductive approach
to reasoning; Use of syllogistic logic
18. • Scholastic schools had two methods of teaching:
1."lectio" (the simple reading of a text by a
teacher/ no questions were permitted); 2.
"disputatio" (where question to be disputed was
announced beforehand)
• Education is the process by which he lifts himself up
to the eternal.
19. It sprang up after the renaissance.
It studies the present solution to each problem of
life
Aimed to secure a knowledge of human society
and its institutions of nature and man’s reactions to
nature, chiefly through the content and not the
form of classics.
20. John Milton
Education must prepare one for life in the real
world.
Francois Rabelais
Education is gained through books, though
emphasis should be on the mastery of their
content and their actual use in one’s life.
Education should be attractive rather than
compulsive.
22. Social Realism in education is the reaction against
a type of education that produces scholars and
professional men to the neglect of the man of
affairs i.e. practice.
Education should not produce men who are unfit
in social life.
The purpose of education, according to social
realists, is to prepare the practical man of the
world.
23. • Reaction against a type of education that produces
scholars and professional men to the neglect of the
man of practice
• Aim: To train a “gentleman” for active
participation in social life and social judgment and to
prepare the practical man of the world
• Social realists follow the method of travel of
journey method.
24. • Direct contact with things, people & social
conditions thru travel rather than books.
• Study of gymnastics, sports, riding, modern
languages, customs of other countries
• Study of one’s self but also others
• Social realism explains that education should equip
learners for a happy and successful life as a man
of the world.
25. According to Montaigne,' The aim of education is to
inculcate intellect & logic in man by which he can lie his life
well.’
He emphasized a teaching method which was according to
the natural tendencies & development of a child. He was
against expressionistic discipline.
He said, & quote “To make it of any real value you must
not only get it into their minds but espouse them to it.”
26.
27. The sense realism in education emphasizes the
training of the senses.
Senses are the gateways of knowledge and learning
takes place the operation of the senses.
According to sense-realists nature is the treasure
house of all knowledge and this knowledge can be
obtained through the training of the senses.
28. • Sense-realism attached more importance to the study
of natural sciences and contemporary social
life.
• Aim: To develop a natural society by working in
accord with the laws of nature
• Purpose: Happiness with God
• Thru education, man can still know laws of nature
and thereby control nature.
29. It came into being in the 17th century according to
which knowledge can be gained through our senses.
Hence a child should be trained with the help of
objects.
According to Munroe ,scientific researches have
influenced sense realism.
Hence the child should be bought in contact with
the nature.
30. It has preferred education of nature, observation,
science in place of language & literature.
Teaching methods should be scientific inductive,
based on observation, analysis, synthesis.
Stressed on physical education.
31. The sense-realists emphasized the three things :
a) Application of inductive method
formulated by Bacon in order to organize and
simplify the instructional process.
b) To replace instruction in Latin by the
instruction in Vernacular, and
c) To substitute new scientific and social
studies in place of the studies in language and
literature.
33. Neo-Realism is really a philosophical thought.
It appears the methods and results of modern
development in physics.
They do not consider the scientific principles everlasting
while they express the changeability in them.
They support the education of art with the science and
analytical system of education with the humanistic feelings.
36. REALISM
Reality
(ontology)
A world of things
Truth or knowledge
(epistemology)
Correspondence and sensation (as we
see it)
Goodness
(axiology)
Laws of nature
Teaching reality doctrine
Subjects of physical world:
math, science, social studies
Teaching truth
Teaching for mastery of information:
demonstrate, recite
Teaching goodness Training in rules of conduct
Why schools exist
To reveal the order of the world and
universe
What should be taught Laws of physical reality
Role of the teacher Displays, imparts knowledge
Role of the student Manipulates, passive participation
School's attitude towards
change
Always coming toward perfection,
orderly change
37. Realism and Aims of Education
Preparing the Child for happy and successful life
Preparing the child for a real life
Developing the physical and mental powers of the
child
Developing and training of senses
Acquainting the child with nature and social
environment
Imparting vocational education
38. Realism and Aims of Education
Understanding the material world through inquiry
A study of science and the scientific method
A need to know the world in order to ensure survival
and good life
Basic, essential knowledge with a no-nonsense
approach
Transmit culture and develop human nature
39. Realism and Aims of Education
The GOAL OF EDUCATION IS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS
UNDERSTAND & APPLY THE PRINCIPLES OF
SCIENCE TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEMS IN THE
WORLD
40. Realism and Curriculum
Developed according to Utility and Needs
Subjects concerning day to day activities
Main subjects are – natural science, physical
science, health culture, physical exercise, math,
geography, history, astronomy
41. Realism and the Teacher
Supreme – brings the child in touch with external
realities of life
Imparts scientific knowledge in an easy and
effective way
Gets testing results that can help prove that the
students are learning the material
42. Realism and the Teacher
A teacher should be educated and well versed
with the customs of belief and rights and duties of
people, and the trends.
He must have full mastery of the knowledge of
present life.
He must be able to expose and guide the student
towards the hard realities of life. (neither pessimist,
nor optimist)
43. Realism and the Teacher
He must be able to co-relate between utility in daily
life and education.
He should define simple rules.
He should teach subjects in proper order.
He needs to find out the interest of the child and
to teach accordingly.
44. Methods of Teaching
Emphasis on critical reasoning through observation
Supports accountability and performance-based
teaching
Scientific research and development
Mastery of facts: Recitation, experimentation,
demonstration, drills, exercises
Education should proceed from simple to complex
and from concrete to abstract.
45. Methods of Teaching
Enhanced learning thru direct or indirect
experiences: Field trips, lectures, films, TV,
audio-visual aids, computer technology &
library.
Learning is based on facts – analysis – questioning.
Vernacular to be the medium of instruction.
Precision and order: ringing bells, time periods,
daily lesson plans, pre-packaged curriculum materials
Children should be given positive rewards
46. SCHOOL ORGANIZATION INFLUENCED BY REALISM
School organization would be based on the real needs of
society. (not due to politics)
The opening of science classes in every school is a must.
Co-education is a natural happening so it cannot be
rejected.
School is the mirror of the society. It is a miniature
form of society and it presents the real picture of the
society.
47. Realism in the Classroom
Focuses on the basics of reading,
writing and arithmetic.
Classroom environment is highly
structured and organized.
Utilization of standardized testing.
Education should be fun and
interesting for the student.
Education should prepare students
for life in the real world.
48. CONCLUSION
Use of scientific investigation and senses in order to learn.
Focus on the physical world, arguing that reality,
knowledge and value exist independent of the mind.
This physical world is composed of matter.
Realists believe that schools should promote human
rationality through observation and experimentation.
Realist teachers believe in the importance of experimental
learning.
Students have to take a hands-on approach.
49. CONCLUSION
Realism is a Subject matter.
It concentrates on the humanistic and scientific principles
Its values is based on universal laws.
Realist teachers focuses on teaching scientific methods of
problem solving.
Character development: teaching student’s accountability,
rigor, and instilling practical knowledge.
Realist teachers should be experts in their subject-matter.
God made it possible to acquire true knowledge so that we may know Him better.
(truth was passed from God to humans but He endowed them with reasoning ability to seek out the truth)
Our highest good comes through thinking. --because we are children of God, our best thinking should agree with Christian tenets.
External world is the reality.
External world is a solid reality, whether known or unknown to man. Reality is already in existence and in the invention of man. It exists independently of being known to perceived by, or related to mind. Man can only comprehend it, through senses. One should dip below the surface to know the reality.
Man will discover reality with the use of science and common sense through education/learning.
Realism places great premium on Man and human endeavor, which it says, should be combined with science and common-sense . It, however, asserts that ‘Man is finite' and learning is necessary for a finite man . Education is the process by which he lifts himself up to the external . "The Realists wish man to be a man of affairs, practical and always seeker of deeper and deeper truth and reality.”
Mind is functioning and is geared towards creativity.
The realist say that ‘Mind' like any other material thing has mechanical functioning. They discount its creating ability . " Just as any object of universe can be ‘true' or ‘false' similarly mind is also ‘true' or ‘false'. The development of mind is the part of the process of development of the world."
‘Mind is what it studies' (Herbert). If this concept of the realists is accepted in education then we are forced to believe that children's mind are ‘mere cameras’ to register the reality of the universe . Philosophers say that mind has lot of scope for enrichment elevation and creativity.
Reality can be proved by observation, experience, experiment and scientific reasoning.
Realism tries to build up a body of systematized knowledge, which is certain and objective and agrees with the standpoint of physical sciences. It says that every reality can be proved by observation, experience, experiment and scientific reasoning.
For them, experience is the touchstone of what is real. Whenever the simple and direct experience can't determine the objective truth, the common sense puts its truth in scientific research. In the present world of falling idols and falling ideals, the realists emphasize the role of intelligence as great significant, as it formulates the concepts and develops general and abstract ideas.
Values must be studied to be applied in the actual setting.
The realists of all brands aver that values are permanent and objective and say that although institutions and practices vary a great deal, the fundamental values of society should not change. The children should be taught those values, which have proved enduring throughout history. They should be taught the nature of ‘right' and ‘wrong' and what is objectively good and beautiful.
In brief, Realism believes in the usefulness of the world and the material existence in its field of action. It believes that whatever is real is independent. Whatever it is, it exists .
Its presence of existence does not depend upon the knower (vs. the idealist's standpoint. ) The individual doesn't make reality, he only he only discovers it.
Medieval scholastics – Christian theologians & philosophers who tried to make sense of their world by using their gift of reason and believe that reason can lead their path to God
holasticism comes from the Latin word scholasticus which means "that [which] belongs to the school", and is the school of philosophy taught by the academics (or schoolmen) of medieval universities 12th-16th
Characteristics:
Relied on authorities from the past – what needed to be known was described in the books of the past written by authorities
Synthesizing of knowledge – not to uncover new knowledge but to present what is existing that all of creation pointed to one goal: to describe was was there (description of the world & build up to description of God)
Deductive approach to reasoning – first asserting the known truths: example is God is love
go to the scripture & find evidence to support it
Use of syllogistic logic/ an approach of arguing that begins from a general principle to a specific conclusion
Example: all humans are mortal
john is a human
Scholastic schools had two methods of teaching:
the "lectio" (the simple reading of a text by a teacher, who would expound on certain words and ideas, but no questions were permitted); and the "disputatio" (where either the question to be disputed was announced beforehand
, or students proposed a question to the teacher without prior preparation
, and the teacher would respond, citing authoritative texts such as the Bible to prove his position,
and the students would rebut the response,
and the argument would go back and forth, with someone taking notes to summarize the argument).
john is mortal
Reaction against the emphasis on form and style of the old classical literature
Classical humanist placed emphasis on form & style; Humanist realist emphasized content and ideas
The study of old literature (Literature of the Greeks & Roman) is a means to understand the practical life.
Humanists believed that classical literature should be studied not for its beauty but for the information and the knowledge of the facts of the pasts so that such knowledge could be used for the preparation for practical living (answer to any problem that man might need).
Basic concerns in education: Physical, moral and social development
Aim: To acquire meaning & spirit of the classics
Purpose: to master his own environing life, natural & social thru knowledge of broader life of ancients
Reaction against a type of education that produces scholars and professional men to the neglect of the man of affairs i.e. practice
Aim: to train a “gentleman” for active participation in social life and social judgment and to prepare the practical man of the world
Social realism was generally recommended for the people of the upper social class/strata.
Social realists follow the method of travel of journey method.
Direct contact with things, people & social conditions thru travel rather than books
Study of gymnastics, sports, riding, etc & modern languages, customs of other countries
Study of one’s self but also others
Social realism explains that education should equip learners for a happy and successful life as a man of the world.
Example: Play tennis rather than be a bookworm if education could not develop social qualities in him.
4. Sense Realism (Scientific Realism) REALISM
Emphasizes the training of the senses. Senses are the gateways of knowledge and learning takes place through the operation of the senses.
Amalgam (mixture of different elements) of humanistic & social realism
Sense-realism attached more importance to the study of natural sciences and contemporary social life.
“The child should acquire the idea rather than the form and should understand the objects before the word, or through the object.”
Aim: To develop a natural society by working in accord with the laws of nature
Purpose: Happiness with God
Goals: discovery and utilization of the secrets of nature for the real and practical benefits they could bring to man in the everyday work of the world. Thru education, man can still know laws of nature and thereby control nature
2 characteristics of representatives:
formulation of rudimentary science or philosophy of education based on investigation (basic assumptions)
formulation of new curriculum based on natural sciences & contemporary life (replace existing literary in the school curriculum)
The sense-realists emphasized the three things:
a. Application of inductive method formulated by Bacon in order to organize and simplify the instructional process
b. To replace instruction in Latin by the instruction in Vernacular
c. To substitute new scientific and social studies in place of the studies in language and literature
Innovators; Example: Use of vernacular (using a language or dialect native to a region or country rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language)
Unlike idealists, realists highly recommend the use of scientific investigation and senses in order to learn. They put focus on the physical world, arguing that reality, knowledge and value exist independent of the mind. This physical world is composed of matter. Realists believe that schools should promote human rationality through observation and experimentation. A lot of responsibility is placed on the teacher to have the right background and information. Realist teachers believe in the importance of experimental learning. In order to learn, students have to take a hands-on approach.
Realism is also a Subject Matter Curriculum.
But, it concentrates on the humanistic and scientific Principals; and it values are based on universal natural laws.
Realist focuses on teaching their students the scientific method of problem solving.
The character development that realist hope that students will develop is: teaching student’s accountability, rigor, and instilling practical knowledge.
Realists realize the importance of technology and believe it should be used whenever possible.
They also realist teacher should be experts in their subject-matter.