What is Realism in Prof Ed 8?
Realism in the realm of educational philosophy is a view that asserts that the world exists independent of human minds. This perspective emphasizes that education should be concerned with the real world and that teaching should focus on facts and knowledge about the universe and its natural laws. When referred to as "Prof Ed 8," it may be part of the curriculum covered in professional education courses for educators, possibly the eighth course or module in a series.
Realism in education can sometimes be contrasted with other philosophical perspectives, such as Idealism which focuses more on the development of the mind and inner capabilities, or Constructivism, which posits that learners construct knowledge through experiences and reflection.
In a professional education context, realism might highlight the importance of subject matter that deals with observable, scientific information and tends to prioritize the teaching of skills and content that have direct applications in the real world. For example, a realist perspective can lead to an emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education due to its focus on empirical evidence and objectively measured results.
Educational strategies inspired by Realism often focus on:
1. Objective and standardized testing to measure student knowledge.
2. A structured and disciplined classroom environment.
3. The teaching of universal principles and facts.
4. An emphasis on practical and applied skills.
5. Encouragement of critical thinking based on observation and experience.
The realist philosophy also asserts that education should reflect the existing structure of society and prepare students to fit into the world as it is. This implies that educational content must be true to the external reality and that teachers are responsible for imparting objective knowledge to students.