Josiah Wolf
Professor Cella
Foundations of Education
22 November 2024
Personal Views of Education
There are three categories that shape a person's view on education. These are the goal or value
of education, the nature of the student, and how a student learns. I believe that one of the main goals of
education is to educate all students regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or physical/mental
disabilities. One of the first theorists to introduce this idea was Comenius during the Reformation.
Comenius believed in the Pansophic principle which said that “ALL subjects should be taught to ALL
students in order to give ALL people a complete understanding of the world” (Cella, “John Amos
Comenius”). I agree with Comenius’ goal of education because it emphasizes the importance of
educating all students. However, I would tend to disagree with Comenius’ emphasis on education in all
subjects. While students need a basic understanding of all subjects, each student is different and they
need to be educated in the way that best suits their skills and interests. Maria Montessori is going to
build on the beliefs Comenius had and prove that even students with mental and physical disabilities can
learn (Cella, “Montessori”). All students deserve to have the opportunity to learn despite the challenges
or difficulties they may face.
Another goal of education is to help students reach their full potential. Erasmus believed that if
students did not reach their full potential through education, then they would “act like wild beasts and
threaten society” (Cella, “Erasmus”). It is very easy to see the difference between a person who has not
been educated and one who has. You can see it in the way that they work, play, and interact with society.
The education of a person is what allows them to contribute and thrive to society. In addition to this, a
student is not going to be able to reach their full potential without support or help from some teacher
figure. Therefore, all educators have a wonderful opportunity and responsibility to cultivate an
environment where students can learn and eventually reach their full potential.
The final goal of education is to educate students in intellectual, physical, and spiritual aspects,
not just academic. John Dewey was known as the father of progressivism which was the education
theory that believed students were not all the same and therefore must be educated uniquely (Cella,
“Dewey”). I agree with this belief a lot because I think education can become very focused on making
sure students understand a set curriculum instead of allowing them to learn about what interests them.
Education can also have a focus on shoving information down students throats instead of focusing on
their struggles or thoughts. As a Christian, I also believe that it is extremely important that a student is
also being educated spiritually. While this looks very different in a public school versus a private christian
school, the bond that a student and teacher form can lead to spiritual mentorship and guidance.
Next, how a person views the nature of the student is going to affect their view of education.
Maria Montessori believed that the students have an absorbent mind and take in everything through
their senses (Cella, “Maria Montessori”). I strongly agree with Montessori’s view especially when it
comes to younger children. Even as students get older, it can be helpful for them to have a concrete
object when they are first learning a new concept. After a student has interacted with a concrete object,
they will be better equipped to understand the object conceptually and mentally.
Another important aspect of the student’s nature is that they are all equal because they are
made in the image of God. In addition to this, Horace Mann believed that “Intelligence, knowledge and
purpose is what separates us from animals” (Cella, “Horace Mann”). As a Christian I completely agree
with Horace Mann’s belief. All human beings were equally created in the image of God and therefore
should be given an equal education. Since humans were created in the image of God, unlike any other
creature, we bear certain characteristics of God. As people, when we use these characteristics for the
good of others, it is one of the many ways that we can bring glory to God. Therefore, education is about
allowing students to take a hold of the characteristics and gifts that reflect their creator and to use them
for his glory.
While I believe that all students are created equally in the image of God, I believe that they are
also born with differences. While it can be obvious that all students look different, I believe that “the
mind is far from unencumbered at birth” (Garner qtd in Cella, “Howard Garner”). Not all children are
born with the same learning styles, intelligences, or passions. This is why it is extremely important for a
teacher to be aware of the differences in their classroom. When a teacher incorporates the different
intelligences into their lessons, it may allow the student to understand a concept that they were
struggling with. This can also help a student remain engaged in a topic that they may have previously
found boring or uninteresting. Not all students are the same and therefore should not be taught as if
they were.
Finally, a person’s perspective on the way that students learn and take in knowledge will affect
their views on education. As Thomas Aquinas believed, “Learning occurs when one person transmits
knowledge to another, and the learner applies their mind to the knowledge” (Cella, “Thomas Aquinas”).
This idea was known as cognitive interactionism and required both the teacher and the student to be
involved in the learning process. I believe that both the teacher and the student are extremely important
when it comes to learning. If a student is extremely engaged, but the teacher is underqualified the
student is not going to learn. In the same way, if a teacher is well trained and great at teaching, but the
student is disengaged, they are not going to learn.
Next, the students should learn reading through phonics instead of just sight words and
memorization. William McGuffey was the first person to create a textbook in which phonics and letter
identification were used to teach kids how to read (Cella, “William Holmes McGuffey”). I have found that
simply having students repeat something over and over again until they memorize it, doesn’t work.
While it may work with something like a bible verse, it does not work with words. With the introduction
of phonics, the student can apply the principles learned in one word, to help them figure out a new
word.
Finally, the biggest part of how a student learns is through mistakes. While trial and error is not
the only way to learn, students can learn so much when they reflect on their previous mistakes and
figure out what went wrong (Cella, “Benjamin Franklin”). I would say that the only way a student is going
to learn from their mistakes is if the teacher comes alongside them and supports them. While mistakes
can feel frustrating and defeating, they can actually be an amazing learning experience in the right
environment and with the right support.
