PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF

EDUCATION

REALIS

M

ARISTOTLE

GROUP TWO MEMBERS

Antonette Harvey

Shannette Nembhard

T’var Warburton

Rushane Francis

Ann-Marie Hall-Bleary

Leon Peart

AREAS TO BE COVERED

The purpose of education?

The role of the learner?

The role of the teacher?

The curriculum

WHAT IS REALISM?

Realism is one of the oldest philosophies in western

culture and its origin began with the Greek philosopher

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) in ancient Greece.

Realism is the doctrine that objective reality of the

material universe exists independently of the conscious

mind; its nature and properties are being affected by

being known.

FEATURES OF REALISM

Nature of Reality: Real is the world, we live in.

Knowledge is derived from experience.

Everything that exists is matter or energy or matter in

motion.

Universe is operated by the laws of nature.

Truth can be discovered with the help of scientific methods.

The material world has an independent existence and it

does not depend upon a knowing mind.

FEATURES OF REALISM CONT’D

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.

FEATURES OF REALISM CONT’D

Realism places great premium on Man and human endeavor,

which it says, should be combined with science and common-

sense. That is the Realists wish man to be a man of affairs,

practical and always seeker of deeper and deeper truth and

reality

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’.

FEATURES OF REALISM CONT’D

The realists of all brands aver that values are permanent and objective and

say that although institutions and practices very 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 is, is and exists. Its presence of existence does not depend upon the

knower. (Compare with idealist’s standpoint. ) The individual doesn’t make

reality, he only discovers

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION?

THE ROLE OF THE LEARNER

THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER

The role of a teacher is to convey knowledge from themselves

unto others. A teacher should be such that he himself is

educated and well versed with the customs of belief and rights

and duties of people, and the trends of all ages and places.

He must have full mastery of the knowledge of present life.

He must guide the student through most realities of life.

He must neither be biased nor pessimistic.

THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

It is important for a teacher to be able to motivate

their students. This can be done by trying to make

them feel comfortable in the environment in which

they are learning.

A teacher should also try to make a class

friendlier, try to merge them, make the students

interact with each other through group activities.

THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

The teacher should communicate ideas effectively, try to find a common

ground on which they can use teaching methods in a suitable way in

which the students would be able to understand more efficiently and

clearly.

The teacher should try to expose students more to the world and should

also take into account the characteristics of the learners.

Do they learn better on their own or in groups?

Do they rather noise or quiet?

Are they the type to work better at home or in the classroom or library?

THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

These are all characteristics of learning students

and a good teaching role is to be able to use these to

a teacher’s advantage. A teacher must also be able is

to review information effectively to be able to assess

their learners outcomes and abilities.

THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

A teacher should always keep in mind that:

Re-capitulation is necessary in making knowledge

permanent.

This means that a teacher should revise the main points of

topics done in previous classes.

One subject should be taught at a time

The teacher should not overload their students mind with

more than on subject at a time.

THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

No pressure or coercion is brought upon the child.

The teacher should try to ensure the students can

manage the work given.

The simple rules should be defined

The teacher should make instructions and

information on topics clear so that the student can

understand them to the best of their ability.

THE CURRICULUM

CONCLUSION

Realism emerged as a reaction against idealism

(reality is somehow dependent upon the mind)

Realism accepts the existence of real things which

can be comprehended. Reality, knowledge and

values exist independent of the human mind. Trees

sticks and stones exist whether or not there is a

human mind to receive them

ACTIVITY