This document discusses several educational philosophies that can be effectively implemented in a social studies classroom, including place-based education, cooperative learning strategies, critical pedagogy, and progressive educational models. It provides examples of how each philosophy encourages active, engaged learning through relating course content to students' own communities and experiences, collaborative work between students, and inclusion of diverse cultural perspectives. Implementing these philosophies offers alternatives to traditional textbook-based instruction and promotes deeper understanding and appreciation of social studies topics.

1. Rob Burke
11/5/12
Philosophy Paper
There are several effective philosophies in education that can be beneficial for a Social
Studies teacher and student. By implementing techniques and strategies created by educators
such as Pedagogy, Vygotsky and other philosophers it broadens the teacher and students’
knowledge of the subject they are learning about. Social Studies is often taught through the
perspective of traditional thinking and excessive textbook work. It is important to focus on the
other aspects of Social studies as well such as the culture, sociology and psychology of social
studies. Several philosophies that I have personally viewed in previous classes have given me
insight on how to effectively teach a class while applying certain procedures to keep the students
on-task and focused on their work. They can do so by incorporating these educational strategies
into their studies, for example by learning about the Revolutionary War, they could use things
such as Placed-Based education by relating this war to their hometown during the late 1700’s.
Dewey’s progressive educational system is trying to prepare students for the future but at
the same time, trying to give these students an understanding and a respect of the past. In the
traditional education setting students are being set up for failure. Dewey states, “Theirs is to do
and learn, Learning here means acquisition of what already is incorporated in books and in the
heads of the elders. Moreover, that which is taught is thought of as essentially static.”(Dewey,
19) In a traditional school setting, teachers are afraid to accept that education is changing. They
teach the basics and do not use strategies that can give the student a way of learning that will be
entertaining towards the student or effective. The main problem here is that teachers who teach

2. their class using traditional techniques do not explore their horizons; they keep everything too
simple and too broad. For example, a history teacher in a traditional education system would
teach their students from a textbook, rather than a primary source of a newspaper article or
picture which has historical significance. This puts these students at a disadvantage because
when they are preparing for reality, they are lost and do not really have much to fall back on..
This strategy could be implemented into a social studies classroom by using unique techniques in
their lesson plans. Instead of using textbooks, teachers should use technology such as Smart
boardsgames and Power Points full of knowledge that students can use at any time to study that
will help them learn visually. The students should be engaged in the classroom by the lesson plan
this is why teachers can use educational games to better the student’s knowledge of the subject
sufficiently.
Cooperative learning allows students to not only work together, but assist his or her
fellow students with any problems that occur during a lesson. Students usually feel more
comfortable when they are split into groups and speak with their partners, rather than listen to the
teacher lecture for the entire class. There are several cooperative learning techiniques that are
effective towards the teacher and student, Slavin states, “PALS is a structured cooperative
learning method in which students work in pairs, taking turns as teacher and learner, using
specific metacognitive strategies.”(Slavin pg.234) Peer Assisted Learning Strategies allows the
students to see what each other’s strengths and weaknesses are. If a student is struggling in math
for instance the other student can provide assistance and give him or her help with solving a
problem. It is more effective if a student is cooperating and learning with another student rather
than a teacher because students can relate to each other much easier. Students have different
strengths and by using Peer Assisted Learning Strategies the students are paired up together by

3. lowest and highest student by strength of the subject. By applying PALS into a social studies
classroom it allows students to work together with any subjects a student is struggling with. For
example the judicial systems can be rather confusing for a high school student, by using PALS
students who are not doing well in this specific topic can receive help from a student who is
persevering on this topic by partnering together and sharing information about the subject with
things such as flashcards, videos and white boards.
Certain place-based strategies work sufficiently in certain areas such as Co- Seed which
is an organization that is made up of different schools district, community organizations,
environmental learning centers and a higher education institution, that help keep environment
connected with education. These seed teams help educators who want to incorporate place-based
education into his or her curriculum, “In Littleton, New Hampshire, for example, community
partners include the town planner’s office, the town engineer, local businesses, the historical
society, the solid waste manager, and a local group called Envisioning Littleton’s future”(Sobel
pg.44). This shows how major companies and high positions in this local town want to help
support these schools when it comes to place-based education. This makes it possible for the
community and students to work together in ensuring that the environment is intact. Rick
Nannicelli uses the Co-Seed principles at Great Brook Middle School where he is the current
principal he states, “My vision for the next five is to see education outside of the walls of the
school and to see the walls of the school transformed. I want to see kids do something important
for themselves, for the community, and the environment”. (Sobel pg.53). Co-Seed is an effective
organization that allows the students and community to support the environment. Placed-Based
Education strategies in my opinionare one of the most relevant aspects of historical education. It
allows students to relate specific historical events to their hometown. For example in my

4. hometown there was a visit from both George Washington and President Dwight D. Eisenhower
later on. As a teacher by instrumenting local history and relating it to American history will
create a positive learning experience. This placed-based foundation is used in this philosophy
because it displays everything a place-based classroom and society should exhibit. This
foundation has successfully incorporated place based strategies into their ways of learning,
teaching students about their hometown and how it has such a historical significance no matter
where the student may live, keeps the student engaged and more willing to learn. It is important
to learn about place based education because of the fact that it inhibits characteristics of learning
that are beneficial towards the student and teacher because they are able to learn about the
history of their hometown.
Critical Pedagogy is important to incorporate into the classroom because it does not
depict any certain race, culture, religion, etc. to being inferior to another. Culture is oppressive
because it is dominated by the groups that are considered to be the social norm. This is because
materials such as textbooks do not broaden the students mind in a sense of culture. Textbooks do
not discuss the diversity of culture; most textbooks strictly explain the cultures that have a
distinct hierarchy that is considered “better” than the cultures of the lower class. McLaren
believes that culture is a necessity while providing critical pedagogy in the classroom.
McLaren’s class was made up of many cultural diverse students that came from many ethnic
backgrounds. One student in particular came from Spanish Town, Jamaica which was a very
poor community that did not have the best living conditions. McLaren asked her many questions
about her family and if she liked Canada. It is important to have an understanding of each
student’s ethnic background because not only should the educator keep away from any
prejudices against any races or ethnicities, but the educator should also include many different

5. cultures into his or her lessons. It is important in a Social Studies classroom to create a safe
environment for the students. Social Studies may contradict certain cultures, religions and
ethnicities but by making sure there are not any racial distinctions about certain groups it will
create an environment in the classroom that will not disrupt the student or their peers. For
example if a student is of some sort of religious background and we are learning about that
specific religion, teachers must alter the way they teach toward the student and his or her peers.
Make sure there are not any racial distinctions and if the student feels comfortable let him or her
make any comments or concerns they have about this topic.