Social and Cultural Foundations of American Education/Chapter 1/Chapter 1 Intro

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Chapter 1: Philosophy

In this chapter, we will discuss the different ways in which philosophies are important to educators. We will explore the different branches of philosophies and the ways in which their applications impact both educators and students.

In addition, it is necessary to consider the importance of developing an awareness of one's own personal philosophy -- with regard to teaching, learning and life, in general. Gaining an understanding of why we think and act in the ways that we do can allow all of us to make better decisions in our careers and personal lives.

After this, we will examine the philosophical implications of schooling. What do the formal schooling systems in place in America and all over the world signify? From a philosophical perspective, are the systems in place good systems or bad systems? For that matter, do we need a formal education system to effectively teach our society's young? This chapter will explore all these questions.

Next, we will consider the philosophies of Wikipedia, (and the "Wiki" concept, in general), exploring its strengths and weaknesses in order for us to come to a real understanding of just what this open-source textbook project means and to most effectively utilize the available technology.

What are the philosophies of education?

Why are they important to education?

What is the purpose of schooling?

What is the philosophy of Wikipedia?