My Ideal Educational System Based on Classical Thinking
To me, the ideal education system would involve both teachers and students in the learning process equally. This is one of the core concepts of Plato’s writings on education, which are explained by Shim (2008) in detail. Specifically, Shim (2008) explains that Plato opposed the role of teachers as compulsory leaders (p. 519). Instead, he proposed that learning should be a mutual process, where the role of teachers is to investigate matters together with their students in a way where both the teacher’s and the students’ views could be corrected or inspired by the knowledge (Shim, 2008, p. 519). The contemporary education system usually requires teachers to know more about the subject than the learning process itself. In my opinion, this needs to be changed. Educating teachers on the process of teaching, on the latest strategies and traditional philosophies related to teaching and learning is essential to make teachers part of the learning process rather than the leaders of it.
In addition to a more thorough involvement of teachers, my ideal educational system would be more inspiring and promote the development of student’s potential. According to Aristotle, “the general goal of education may be viewed as an endeavor to aid students develop and fulfill their potential, by focusing appropriate attention to the important attributes of the developing student” (Ladikos, 2010, p. 75). It is no secret that every child or adult is different. We have different abilities, interests, there are things we do well, and there are things we are not capable of learning to the same extent as others. In my opinion, an ideal education system should account for the differences in students while at the same time inspiring them to focus on their interests, which is why I would also make the system of subject choices more flexible to support the students’ development in the particular areas that interest them.
My Beliefs About Education and What I Hope to Accomplish
I believe that education is meant to make people better versions of themselves. This is a concept that was first introduced by Confucius, who emphasizes that teachers are to be examples to their students: “First, learning, in the Confucian context, is relevant to realizing one’s good nature. Second, we need models who can guide us to realize our good nature. According to this view, the role of teachers is to become models or to introduce models whom their students could emulate or who could help the latter find or realize their good natures” (Shim, 2008, p. 521). To me, education is not a formal process but rather a series of experiences in different settings that allow students to develop their minds, soul, and body, which is why a well-rounded approach to education is crucial. Moreover, in order to recognize the needs of a particular student, it is necessary to have an understanding of his individual abilities and interests, which is why I hope to develop a new, more diverse approach to classroom teaching.
Environments and Experiences That Inspire and Support Development and Learning
Despite the fact that the majority of teaching occurs in class, the vast part of students’ learning happens outside the classroom. Children and young adults learn to be socially active, to be good friends, and to avoid people who are not nice to them. For many students, the people from their class become their second family, which makes good classroom relations and positive environment important factors that support learning. Group experiences, such as school trips, can help to increase the students’ involvement with the subject while at the same time developing their communication and teamwork skills. Overall, I think that the classroom environment is crucial to promoting good teaching and learning practices, which is why the teachers have to develop ways to aid students in building healthy relationships with their classmates.
References
Ladikos, A. (2010). Aristotle on intellectual and character education. Phronimon, 11(2), 69-83.
Shim, S. H. (2008). A philosophical investigation of the role of teachers: A synthesis of Plato, Confucius, Buber, and Freire. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24(3), 515-535.