Developing Your Philosophy of Education

4.1 Why is a personal philosophy of education important?

• Your philosophy of education strongly influences what kind of teacher you want to become: the content you select, the teaching strategies you'll use, and the criteria you use to analyze, reflect on, and improve your teaching. With a clear educational philosophy, you'll be able to make systematic changes when you decide that your instruction needs improvement.

4.2 Describe the three essential steps involved in forming a philosophy of education.

• Assess your developing beliefs about education. Make a list of take a questionnaire. 
• Analyze your beliefs.
• Develop a coherent philosophy of education based off of the analysis of your beliefs.

4.3 Look again at Brad's thinking, as indicated by his conversation with Allie. Based on this information, what is his philosophy of education? Explain how this philosophy is based on his beliefs.

• Students are only able to become proficient at making decisions when they are put into situations where they can make them. Making decisions is an important skill for life after school. The most important knowledge you can give a student is the knowledge needed to solve real-world problems and make real-life decisions.
• This philosophy is based off of his belief people only learn by practicing and that reality is what people perceive it to be. He beliefs are most closely aligned with progressivism.