PHILOSOPHICAL

PERSPECTIVES OF
EDUCATION

REALISM

ARISTOTLE
 GROUP TWO MEMBERS

Antonette Harvey

Shannette Nembhard

T’var Warburton

Rushane Francis

Ann-Marie Hall-Bleary

Leon Peart
AREAS TO BE COVERED

The purpose of education?

The role of the learner?

The role of the teacher?

The curriculum
 WHAT IS REALISM?

Realism is one of the oldest philosophies in western culture and its

origin began with the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) in
ancient Greece.
Realism is the doctrine that objective reality of the material universe
exists independently of the conscious mind; its nature and properties
are being affected by being known.
FEATURES OF REALISM

Nature of Reality: Real is the world, we live in.

Knowledge is derived from experience.

Everything that exists is matter or energy or matter in motion.
Universe is operated by the laws of nature.
Truth can be discovered with the help of scientific methods.
The material world has an independent existence and it does not
depend upon a knowing mind.
 F E AT U R E S O F R E A L I S M C O N T ’ D

External world is a solid Reality, whether known or unknown to

man. Reality is already in existence and in the invention of man. It
exists independently of being known to perceived by, or related to
mind. Man can only comprehend it, through senses. One should dip
below the surface to know the reality.
 F E AT U R E S O F R E A L I S M C O N T ’ D

Realism places great premium on Man and human endeavor, which it

says, should be combined with science and common-sense. That is the
Realists wish man to be a man of affairs, practical and always seeker of
deeper and deeper truth and reality
The realist say that ‘Mind’ like any other material thing has mechanical
functioning. They discount its creating ability. “Just as any object of
universe can be ‘true’ or ‘false’ similarly mind is also ‘true’ or ‘false’.
 F E AT U R E S O F R E A L I S M C O N T ’ D

The realists of all brands aver that values are permanent and objective and say that
although institutions and practices very a great deal, the fundamental values of society
should not change. The children should be taught those values, which have proved
enduring throughout history. They should be taught the nature of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’
and what is objectively good and beautiful.
In brief, Realism believes in the usefulness of the world and the material existence
in its field of action . It believes that whatever is real is independent. Whatever is, is
and exists. Its presence of existence does not depend upon the knower. (Compare with
idealist’s standpoint. ) The individual doesn’t make reality, he only discovers
W H AT I S T H E P U R P O S E O F E D U C AT I O N ?
THE ROLE OF THE LEARNER
 THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER

The role of a teacher is to convey knowledge from themselves unto

others. A teacher should be such that he himself is educated and well
versed with the customs of belief and rights and duties of people, and
the trends of all ages and places.
He must have full mastery of the knowledge of present life.

He must guide the student through most realities of life.

He must neither be biased nor pessimistic.

THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

It is important for a teacher to be able to motivate their students.

This can be done by trying to make them feel comfortable in the
environment in which they are learning.
 A teacher should also try to make a class friendlier, try to merge
them, make the students interact with each other through group
activities.
 THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

The teacher should communicate ideas effectively, try to find a common ground
on which they can use teaching methods in a suitable way in which the students
would be able to understand more efficiently and clearly.
The teacher should try to expose students more to the world and should also
take into account the characteristics of the learners.
Do they learn better on their own or in groups?
Do they rather noise or quiet?
Are they the type to work better at home or in the classroom or library?
 THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

 These are all characteristics of learning students and a good

teaching role is to be able to use these to a teacher’s advantage. A
teacher must also be able is to review information effectively to be
able to assess their learners outcomes and abilities.
THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

A teacher should always keep in mind that:

Re-capitulation is necessary in making knowledge permanent.

This means that a teacher should revise the main points of topics done
in previous classes.
One subject should be taught at a time

The teacher should not overload their students mind with more than
on subject at a time.
THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER CONT’D

No pressure or coercion is brought upon the child.

The teacher should try to ensure the students can manage the work
given.
The simple rules should be defined

The teacher should make instructions and information on topics

clear so that the student can understand them to the best of their
ability.
THE CURRICULUM
 CONCLUSION

Realism emerged as a reaction against idealism (reality

is somehow dependent upon the mind) Realism accepts
the existence of real things which can be comprehended.
Reality, knowledge and values exist independent of the
human mind. Trees sticks and stones exist whether or not
there is a human mind to receive them
ACTIVITY