Future of Education Can Schools Essay

Total Length: 777 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

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Certainly, there are implications of idealism, realism, pragmatism, and even existentialism in teaching models; but when it comes to what works in the classroom, one can use a model based on utilitarianism with a constructivist bent and find their way through what has become a mire of philosophical argument. Utilitarianism holds that the most ethical thing one can do is any action that will maximize the happiness within an organization or society. Actions have quantitative outcomes and the ethical choices that lead to the "greatest good for the greatest number" are the appropriate decisions, even if that means subsuming the rights of certain individuals. It is considered to be a consequential outlook in the sense that while outcomes cannot be predicted the judgment of an action is based on the outcome -- or, "the ends justify the means." Deontology is similar, arguing that there are norms and truths that are universal for all humans; actions then have a predisposition to right or wrong, moral or immoral. Morality, then, is based on rational thought and is the direction most humans innately want. Roughly, deontology is "the means justify the ends" (Troyer, 2003).


Thus, thinking about the classroom -- what is the core issue? It is not politicians, it is not budgets, it is not NCLB laws, it is not test scores, it is not unionization, and it most certainly is not fitting a system into a pedagogical box. Instead, using a utilitarian model, the very basis of the education system is to use the best possible means to train the largest number of children so that they can become productive, thoughtful, and participatory citizens. All else pales to that single mission -- and even with necessary detours or side trips, the very heart of what is needed in the minds of American teachers.

REFERENCES

Barone, T. (2000). Aesthetics, Politics, and Educational Inquiry. Peter Lang Publishers.

Dougiamas, M. (1998, November). "A Journey into Constructivism." Retrieved from Dougiamas.Com: http://dougiamas.com/writing/constructivism.html

Eun, B. (2008). "Making Connections: Grounding professional Development in the Developmental Theories of Vygotsky." The Teacher Educator, 43(2), 134+.

Kim, S. (2005). "The Effects of A Constructivist Teaching Approach." Asia Pacific

Educational Review, 6(1), 7-19.

Matthews, M.E. (1998). Constructivism in Science Education - A Philosophical Examination.

New York: Springer.

Troyer, J. ( The Classical Utilitarians.....

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