Subject: Arthur Bestor's Educational contribution
Grade Level: College
Objective:
1. Identify the key contributions of Arthur Bestor to educational philosophy.
2. Understand the implications of Bestor's ideas on contemporary education.
3. Debate the relevance of Bestor’s educational theories in today's educational
landscape.
Learning within the curriculum:
1. The role of critical thinking in education as articulated by Bestor, which connects
to the current lesson by emphasizing the need for a robust curriculum that fosters
analytical skills.
2. The concept of curriculum reform and its historical context, linking to Bestor's
advocacy for a more structured and content-rich curriculum, which will be explored in
subsequent lessons.
Learning across the curriculum:
1. The influence of Bestor's educational philosophy on modern pedagogical
practices, such as inquiry-based learning and its application in various fields (e.g.,
STEM, humanities).
2. The examination of educational policies influenced by Bestor’s work, particularly in
the context of the Philippine education system and CHED standards, showing how
his theories can be applied to local educational challenges.
Review Motivation:
Teaching Strategy: Interactive Discussion
Instructional Materials: None
Energizer 1: Quick Think-Pair-Share
- Students will pair up and discuss their initial thoughts on the question: "What
is the most important quality of education?" After two minutes, they will share their
insights with the class.
Energizer 2: Philosophical Chairs
- Students will be divided into two groups based on whether they agree or
disagree with the statement: "Bestor's ideas are outdated." They will have a brief
discussion in their groups and then present their arguments in a class debate format.
Activities
Activity 1: Analyzing Bestor's Contributions
Teaching Strategy: Research-based Learning
Materials: Access to academic journals and articles about Arthur Bestor
Significance: This activity encourages students to delve deep into Bestor's work
and understand his contributions critically.
Instructions:
1. In groups, research Arthur Bestor's key contributions to educational philosophy
using academic sources.
2. Prepare a 10-minute presentation summarizing your findings, focusing on his
major works and ideas.
3. Present to the class, allowing for a Q&A session afterward.
Rubrics:
- Content Knowledge: 15 pts.
- Presentation Skills: 10 pts.
- Engagement in Q&A: 5 pts.
Assessment Questions:
1. What are the three main contributions of Arthur Bestor to educational philosophy?
2. How do Bestor's ideas challenge or support current educational systems?
3. In what ways can Bestor’s contributions be applied to contemporary educational
practices?
Activity 2: Debate on Bestor's Relevance Today
Teaching Strategy: Debate
Materials: None
Significance: This activity allows students to critically engage with Bestor's theories
and assess their relevance in modern education.
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into two teams: one supporting Bestor's relevance and the other
opposing it.
2. Each team will prepare points to support their stance for 15 minutes.
3. Conduct a structured debate, allowing each side to present their arguments and
rebuttals.
Rubrics:
- Argument Quality: 15 pts.
- Rebuttal Effectiveness: 10 pts.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: 5 pts.
Assessment Questions:
1. What arguments were most persuasive in the debate, and why?
2. How did the debate change your perspective on Bestor’s contributions?
3. What new insights did you gain about the relevance of historical educational
theories?
Analysis:
Activity 1 - This activity fosters critical thinking by requiring students to analyze and
synthesize information about Bestor's contributions, aligning with the objective of
understanding educational philosophy. Students will gain a deeper appreciation of
how historical ideas inform contemporary practices.
Activity 2 - The debate encourages students to articulate their thoughts and engage
critically with differing viewpoints, enhancing their understanding of Bestor's
relevance. This activity connects to the objective by allowing students to explore the
implications of educational theories in real-world contexts.
Abstraction:
The main point of this lesson is to critically engage with Arthur Bestor's
educational contributions and their implications for contemporary education.
Understanding Bestor’s theories can uncover patterns in educational
discourse and guide future reform efforts. Two concepts to reinforce this
understanding are:
1. Curriculum Theory: Examining how Bestor’s advocacy for a structured curriculum
can inform modern pedagogical strategies and curricular designs.
2. Educational Philosophy: Analyzing the philosophical underpinnings of Bestor’s
work to understand its impact on current educational practices and policies.
Application:
Teaching Strategy: Problem-based Learning
1. Task: Develop a proposal for a curriculum reform based on Bestor's theories,
addressing a specific issue in the Philippine educational system.
2. Task: Create a presentation that outlines the proposed changes, the rationale
behind them, and the anticipated impact on student learning outcomes.
Discussion: Facilitate a class discussion on the challenges and opportunities in
implementing educational reforms inspired by Bestor’s work.
Assessment:
Teaching Strategy: Formative Assessment
Questions:
1. What is one key takeaway from Bestor's contributions that can be applied to your
future career in education?
2. How can Bestor's ideas help in addressing current educational challenges in the
Philippines?
3. In what ways do you think historical educational theories should influence modern
teaching practices?
For Higher Order Thinking Skills:
Questions:
1. How would you compare Bestor's educational philosophy with another educational
theorist?
2. What are the potential drawbacks of applying Bestor's theories in today's
educational context?
3. In what ways can Bestor’s ideas be integrated into diverse learning environments?
Answers:
1. Comparing Bestor with Dewey highlights the contrast between structured
education and experiential learning, showing the spectrum of educational
philosophies.
2. Potential drawbacks include resistance to change and the challenge of adapting
Bestor's ideas to diverse educational contexts, which may limit their applicability.
3. Integrating Bestor's ideas into diverse environments involves adapting his
principles to fit varied student needs while maintaining a focus on rigorous content.
Assignment:
1. Write a reflective essay on how Bestor's educational philosophy can be applied to
your future teaching practice, citing specific examples and potential challenges in
implementation.
