Introduction
People have been teaching and learning for thousands of years, as long as there has been human life on this planet. Schools have been organized to hundreds of years to facilitate this process of teaching and learning for children and youth.
Task
Since humans have been able to think about more than the necessities of survival, philosophers have pondered the meaning of education and specifically the roles of the teacher and the learner in the educational process.
From Socrates to Plato to Aristotle - these early philosophers where obviously curious about how we learn. From asking a multitude of questions, to finding truth, and finding depth from the process of being taught, they each had their own stance on teaching and learning.
Rousseau believed that teaching should occur naturally through living and experiencing the world, and then allowing a student's 'inner goodness' shine through.
Dewey, while a critic of progessive education, also defended the ideals that a child may learn from the classroom experience, but learns additionally from the outside world. And that there is much more to learning than is to be gleaned from textbooks and teachers.
Adler believed a much more strict struture was the correct course for learning. That all students be provided with the same materials to be taught throughout their academic careers.
Greene was of the belief that students must be more aware of themselves and the world about them. The arts and literature would provide the correct avenue in which students would develop a sense of moral urgency and passionate commitment to create a better future for the human race.
Martin was most concerned about the roles of women in teaching and learning: how they were left out and how education could better serve "the full range of people's lives" and help all people address "the present perils to life on earth".
Hooks was committed to a multicultural approach to education, and that teachers should share in the intellectual and spiritual growth of their students. Additionally, teachers must come to see themselves as healers of individual students and a broken world.
Appiah was of the belief that students should come to see themselves as citizens of the world, yet understand that they belong to a community and need to take responisibility for its destiny. Appiah argues for individualism that focuses on human rights since he believes it is the key to building a better world and is also the best outcome of a truly liberal education.
Process
Though there are many other philosophers and professionals that have contributed to the history of teaching and learning, there is truly one thing they all have in common - their passion for sharing knowledge. Though their methods in how that knowledge may be dispensed is quite varied, they each have a desire for each successive generation to perform better.
Evaluation
How do you think the early philosophers helped mold the educational systems today?
Do you think their lessons are important for today's teachers to know? Students?
Do you hope to leave your own mark on education? Or just aspire to influence your students?
Conclusion
We teach so that others can learn. No one ever teaches just to teach or develops a curriculum for its own sake. Teaching is always, or always should be, done in the service of only one goal: student learning.
Share your wealth of knowledge and experience while incorporating others to enrich your education.
I believe that education is the best investment one can make for oneself, for the rewards are truly lifelong and compounding. I also believe that learning is something that should neve conclude, but forevermore ongoing throughout life.