Idealism: Education and Character Development Essay

Educational AimsIn an idealistic grooming system emphasis should be placed on developing the mind, personal discipline, and character development. A person should be literate and of good honorable character.Educational MethodsIdealist commandment involves depth of encyclopaedism, a holistic approach that involves teaching the whole rather than its parts. The best method of education for Plato was the dialectic, a process where ideas are put into battle against each other, with the most strong idea winning the battle. Knowledge was not important just for the material needs that it met. Idealists would feel that much of the great literature of the past would be profitable in the solving many of todays problems. The idealist is not concerned with turning out students with technical skills so much as having students with a broad view and understanding of the world in which they live. noble-mindedness emphasizes the mathematical function of the teacher, a skillful questioner, who should be a model for the person we want children to become. time the lecture method is still important in an idealists education system, it is considered more of a way to convey information and to help students get the picture ideas. Self realization and self education are very important in high-mindedness. While teachers cannot always be present when learning occurs, they must render to stimulate students so that learning occurs even when they are not present. Project based learning is on example of a self directed learning activity where learning can occur without a teachers presence.CurriculumThe important factor in education at any train for idealists is teaching children to think. Teachers should help students to explore texts for ideas about the purposes of life, family the nature of peer pressures, and the problems of growing up. Idealists believe that ideas can change lives and that classical literature can be use and explored to help solve problems in todays world. Cre ativity will be advance when students immerse themselves in the creative thinking of others and when they are encouraged to reflect.Role of the TeacherSince idealists believe in character development, they also believe that the teacher should be a role model for students to emulate. Teaching is considered a moral calling. The teachers role is to be a skillful questioner who encourages students to think and ask more questions in an environment that is suitable for learning.Critiques of IdealismIdealism has been influential in education for a considerable amount of time. It is considered a conservative school of thought because of its emphasis in preserving cultural traditions. The strengths of idealism include further thinking and cognition, promoting cultural learning, and providing for character development of students. Teachers are considered valuable parts of the educational process who should strive to provide a comprehensive, systematic, and holistic approach to learning tha t stresses self realization.Science today has challenged idealism and brought about challenges to idealistic principles. Science is based on hypothesis and tentativeness, but idealism promotes a finished and commanding universe waiting to be discovered. Idealism has often been linked with traditional religion. The weakening of religion has led to the weakening of idealism as a philosophy. by Platos ruler kings, and Augustines emphasis on the monastic life, it has been said that idealism leads to intellectual elitism.In the past, education was considered important for the upper classes of society, marking education as a luxury. Vocational and technical studies were considered good enough for the general public. Idealistic education was considered accommodateish and lacking relevance. It is argued that the character development aspect of the philosophy involved conformity and subservience on the part of the learner. This type of character development was considered to stifle creati vity and self direction, making students gullible and ready to bear ideas without serious examination.Personal ObservationsThe emphasis on the importance of knowledge and ideas in the idealist philosophy originally led me to believe that much of my philosophy of education included idealistic tendencies. James Madisons quote that knowledge is power, which sits front and center on my class webpage, seems to agree with this premise. Because I believe powerfully in project based education as a way to have students discover and learn new information, I also began to view the idealism in my thinking.However, as much as I value these things and continue to believe in the importance of continually gaining knowledge, the fact that I view acquirement and technology as a valued part of all education, sets me apart from the philosophy. While the idealist considered science and technical studies good enough for the general public, I consider them an integral part of any education. However I do believe in the importance of teaching children to think, for not doing so results in children with book learning and no common sense.Should teachers be role models? Yes, I think they should. If I were an adult with no children, I might think differently. However as a parent, I have always been greatly concerned with the people who were my childrens teachers. Teachers have the power to influence the thinking and ideas of children and society in general. eventide given regimented curricula to teach, teachers ultimately make decisions everyday about what information to emphasize or deemphasize. I think society also believes that teachers should be role models. Consider the uproar over teachers who have inappropriate relations with the students they teach.