Essay --

Marlene Cazahuatl 12/19/13 F.D.R Senior Bullying is a serious issue many young kids in society go through. Most of these children that face this issue many of which are Latinos or from Hispanic descendent are the main ones who suffer from this. These kids are sometimes bullied on where they are from and what they are or what they're not. The fact being is that no one should feel intimidated by another person that's most likely the same age as them. Now a days the media play a huge role in uncovering the issue of bullying. The media makes us reflect on how bullying wasn't such a big issue as it is now in past generations. The Fact is that we should do what ever is in our hands to prevent more cases like these and not allow anyone to be a victim of someone's aggressive behavior. According to reports from last year 2012, statistics show that 1 out of 4 students from Hispanic descendent are being bullied in their schools, most of which are afraid of attendin...

Idealism: Education and Character Development Essay

Educational Aims In an idealistic education system emphasis should be placed on developing the mind, personal discipline, and character development. A person should be literate and of good moral character. Educational Methods Idealist education involves depth of learning, a holistic approach that involves teaching the whole rather than its parts. The best method of learning for Plato was the dialectic, a process where ideas are put into battle against each other, with the most significant 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 useful in the solving many of today’s 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. Idealism emphasizes the role of the teacher, a skillful questioner, who should be a model for the person we want children to become. While the lecture method is still important in an idealist’s education system, it is considered more of a way to convey information and to help students comprehend ideas. Self realization and self education are very important in idealism. While teachers cannot always be present when learning occurs, they must attempt 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 teacher’s presence. Curriculum The important factor in education at any level 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 used and explored to help solve problems in today’s world. Creativity will be encouraged when students immerse themselves in the creative thinking of others and when they are encouraged to reflect. Role of the Teacher Since 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 teacher’s 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 Idealism Idealism has been influential in education for a considerable amount of time. It is considered a conservative philosophy because of its emphasis in preserving cultural traditions. The strengths of idealism include encouraging 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 that 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 absolute 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. Through Plato’s ruler kings, and Augustine’s 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 bookish 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 creativity and self direction, making students gullible and ready to accept ideas without serious examination. Personal Observations The 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 Madison’s quote that knowledge is power, which sits front and center on my class webpage, seems to agree with this premise. Because I believe strongly 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 science 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 children’s teachers. Teachers have the power to influence the thinking and ideas of children and society in general. Even 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.

Natural Resources are Being Depleted - 1672 Words

The natural resources of Earth continue to be used more and more each year. Coal and oil are consumed with incredible speed and about 28 percent of the total energy derived from coal and oil. Earth is becoming airless balloon and the human population is rapidly growing. These natural resources are not renewable. The world needs to stop pertaining to be blind about environmental crises. We need to start working on alternative energy that will protect our environment while maintaining energy dependent society. Our lives depend on energy. Modern technologies have developed to such an extent that everything we use nowadays needs energy. In every home, we use it to light and heat our houses and own 100 or more horses (horsepower) in our garage. Our power usage is limited. We might be enjoying it now but not in the future. Even today surprisingly, not all country around the world has access to the electricity. 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