Wednesday's+Research

1. Trace a topic through each of the periods marking American education (Colonial, 1620-1750; Revolutionary 1750-1820; State-supported common schools, 1820-1865; compulsory education, 1865-1920; progressive era, 1920-1945; and post-war era, 1945-1990) explaining the historical framework and prevailing beliefs and values related to that topic. Possible topics include: attitudes towards teachers,  teacher preparation, views of childhood, who got educated, early childhood education, secondary education, education forAfrican Americans and Native Americans, education for girls, education of disabled, role of religion, classroom management, classroom environment and textbooks, etc.
 * __Historical Project Discussions __****For any of the options below, react to the following statement in your discussion: //"A major historical concern of schooling throughout history has been to establish social controls and serve the special interests of a social elite"// (Clabaugh & Rozycki, 1996, p. 405).**

2. Trace the evolution of school subjects/curriculum from ancient Greece through each historical era in American education and into the present. What influenced the choices of these subjects? What has changed and why? What criteria should be used to decide what curriculum or subjects should be studied? What changes might be anticipated ten or twenty years from now? You might select a particular subject, such as mathematics, physical or agricultural education, or history; or you might look more broadly at the curriculum over different time periods.

3.Evaluate the role of the federal government and the courts in promoting equal educational opportunity. Consider the antecedents in state support for common schools and efforts towards compulsory education.

4. Consider how the history of American education has affected a particular student (from your past). Explore topics such as what he or she studies or how he or she is taught. Or you might ask an experienced teacher or principal to discuss what changes they have experienced or observed over a period of years. To what do they attribute the major changes in education?

5.Choose a book and provide an overview of the book. Using examples from the book, analyze how formal education has been used to perpetuate the existing power structure and social class. What are your conclusions?

6. Read the content section on Philosophy of Education. Look at links to help you dig deeper. Think about your own beliefs about teaching and learning. In writing, discuss which of the philosophies of education and the learning orientations are closest to you? Why? Which do not fit with your philosophy of education and learning? Why?

7. Examine the chart [|Philosophy and Education Continuum]. In one or two paragraphs, discuss how the branches of philosophy (metaphysics, epistemology, and/or axiology) are related to the world view philosophies, philosophies of education, and learning theories.

8.. Take the [|Educational Philosophies Self-Assessment]. Score yourself using the [|Educational Philosophies Self-Assessment Scoring Guide].
 * Discuss what you learned about yourself in taking this assessment and thinking about your educational philosophy. Were there any discrepancies between your original ideas about which educational philosophy fit you (part B above) and results on the Self-Assessment? Could the instrument be inaccurate in picking up your true philosophy of education? What does your philosophical orientation imply for how you will teach? Discuss.