Deck 9: What Are the Philosophical Foundations of American Education

Question 1

Compare the perennialist's and the essentialist's conception of metaphysics.

Answer 1

Suggested answer:   For the perennialist, reality is found in the collective wisdom of Western culture. Our association with that enables us to discover and confirm the reality and the meaning of our existence. The essentialist, on the other hand, has respect for, but not complete adherence to, the wisdom of the past. The essentialist is very much influenced by pragmatism. Whatever is relevant and helps an individual survive and prosper is what has meaning. Whatever helps humans improve the condition of humanity is real and meaningful.

Question 2

The study of axiology provides one with an understanding of

A) the way knowledge is comprehended.
B) the values people hold concerning beauty and conduct.
C) the nature of humankind.
D) the elements of reasoning.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Cognitive psychologists, draw heavily on research of all of these EXCEPT:

A) Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget
B) Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky
C) American psychologist Jerome Bruner
D) American psychologist B. F. Skinner

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Mr. Nguyen, an algebra teacher, emphasizes to his students the epistemological aspects of mathematics. Which of the following kinds of questions is he most likely to ask students?

A) "When are you likely to use algebra?"
B) "What is the purpose of the quadratic equation?"
C) "If I know b = c, then what is the value of a?"
D) "Explain how you know that x = 12."

Question 5

Which of the following best depicts a romanticist teacher's classroom?

A) Some students work together on a scale model of the Globe Theater, and others work on sewing costumes for a play they will perform.
B) Students in a French class chorally read a passage from their textbook, and the teacher corrects the pronunciation of several students.
C) Students work individually on worksheets or exercises to help reinforce skills in computation.
D) A student, after checking in the school and local library, draws up a reading list and meets with the teacher to inform her of his course of study for the semester.

Question 6

A student completing a project on bird identification knows that insect-eating birds have narrow, pointed bills. One day, her mother and she look out the window and see a bird they don't recognize with a narrow bill. The mother exclaims, "What an unusual bird. I've never seen a bird like that all through this snowy winter." The daughter replies, "You wouldn't. That bird must migrate to warmer climates during the winter." Which of the following is the girl using?

A) Metaphorical thinking
B) Inductive reasoning
C) Correctional thinking
D) Deductive reasoning

Question 7

A teacher education class is discussing the duties of a teacher and the principles that should guide a teacher's conduct with students. This class's discussion concerns which of the following?

A) Metaphysics
B) Epistemology
C) Ethics
D) Axiology

Question 8

Which of the following best depicts the classroom of a progressive teacher?

A) Students are sitting quietly reading the Odyssey, while the teacher writes key passages on the chalkboard for the students to memorize.
B) A list of computer assignments for math and writing is on the board for the students to complete; students are clustered around computer terminals, and the teacher is explaining the commands for several of the most common functions of the computer.
C) A group of students is working cooperatively on a student-initiated project to discover how gears operate; the teacher acts as a facilitator for their experimentation.
D) The teacher and a student meet individually to decide which topics could best help a student discover the meaning within his life.

Question 9

At Bowker High School, students take many required courses, including Latin, history, humanities, mathematics, and science. The students study those disciplines as a way of developing their intellect and discovering the universal truths of humankind. Bowker High's philosophy of education is derived from

A) asceticism.
B) essentialism.
C) romanticism.
D) perennialism.

Question 10

Two of the philosophies discussed have been somewhat distorted in popular practice. Dewey's progressivism was sometimes altered in ways that reduced its real value. Romanticism, on the other hand, was trimmed of some of its ideas regarding isolation from society and made into a greater force for personal growth. Briefly explain the important elements of Dewey's educational philosophy, and note some of the abuses eventually perpetrated in its name. Also explain the educational effects of the romantic emphasis on self-determination and self-definition.

Question 11

An elementary school committee is designing an updated curriculum for the mathematics program. Explain how epistemology will affect the work members do in designing the curriculum. Provide an example of a question they may have regarding math instruction that would reveal the epistemological influence.

Question 12

A young child asks his teacher, "How can love be real if you don't ever see it?" Which branch of philosophy has that child's question tapped into?

A) Axiology
B) Epistemology
C) Logic
D) Metaphysics

Question 13

A veteran teacher considers his thirty-year career and asks himself, "Has my career had a core purpose?" What kind of philosophical question is this?

A) Aesthetic
B) Epistemological
C) Metaphysical
D) Ethical

Question 14

The Oak Valley school board is conducting a very heated board meeting in which board members and residents are debating the educational goals of the school district. If a parent who was an essentialist were to stand up, which of the following would you expect her to assert,

A) the school district should shy away from all the teaching emphasis on group learning, for that does not allow the individual student to truly learn the meaning of his or her existence.
B) the school needs to focus on stimulating the students' natural curiosity and eagerness to learn, which it is stifling by emphasizing the study of traditional disciplines.
C) the school's current emphasis on "relevance" for students is completely misguided; students will benefit most from the self-discipline and the intellectual growth that studying the classics fosters.
D) the school board will best serve the needs of the students and the community if it emphasizes the subject areas that will most help the students become functioning, productive members of society.

Question 15

You are a teacher who believes the philosophy of romanticism, and in your high school curriculum you are expected to teach ethics to your students. How would you respond to this element of the curriculum?

Question 16

When a long-term heavy smoker was sixty-five, she was fitted for dentures. Months later, she was diagnosed with throat cancer. Her neighbor explained, "I don't want to have my denture fitting now. Getting dentures gave my neighbor throat cancer!" A background in one area of philosophy would have helped the neighbor come to a stronger conclusion. Which one would be of most help?

A) Logic
B) Ethics
C) Aesthetics
D) Metaphysics

Question 17

Two kindergartners are fighting over a toy. Ms. Hernandez tells the children gently, "Brian, you promised Ali you would share that toy with her. It's not fair to Ali if you go back on your promise." Ms. Hernandez is giving the children a simple lesson in which of the following?

A) Axiology
B) Ethics
C) Logic
D) Aesthetics

Question 18

Explain the differences among the four schools of philosophy with regard to the role of the teacher and the role of the student. Answer these two questions for each philosophy (perennialism , progressivism, essentialism, romanticism.: What is the role of the teacher? What is the role of the student?

Question 19

An art teacher is prompting his Sculpture I students to identify the elements of beauty that exist in Michelangelo's David . This activity is focusing on developing students' comprehension of

A) aesthetics.
B) ethics.
C) logic.
D) metaphysics.

Question 20

Two historians debate the merits of a recent historical analysis. One claims it is the definitive account of that period; the other argues that the historical period could be analyzed just as legitimately through several other perspectives. What kind of philosophical discussion are these historians having?

A) Axiological
B) Logical
C) Epistemological
D) Metaphysical

Question 21

Consider the school in which you now observe. If you are not currently observing in a school, consider the high school you attended. What is the dominant educational philosophy of the school? To answer that question, describe the role of the teacher, the choice of curriculum, and the goals set for the students.