Kumamoto University Graduate school of instructional systems
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Pedagogical Fundamentals

Block 4
Two Major Trends of Pedagogy

Description:In this Block, we think about "What education is" by studying two major trends (disciplinism vs empiricism) and attempts to integrate them, through Dewey's assertions. The aim of this Block is to enable you to explain the "Paradox of Education." Instead of using the Internet, spend some time reading books and share what you have learned from the reading on the Web.


Textbook: John Dewey, Experience and Education (1938) Kappa Delta Pi (First Touchstone Edition, 1997)
Reference: Ichio Numano, Information Society and Teachers' Mission (Kokudosha, Kyoiku Sensho 8, 1986), 1,377yen [English Translation]


Session11 11.Disciplinistic Principle and Empirical Principle Session12 12.Dewey’s Educational Philosophy
Session13 13.Paradox of Education

Credits will be given to those who have achieved scores of at least 60% for all the following assignments.
[Assignment 1] Reflection Paper I
  To be uploaded as the task for Session 2. Describe your current ideas about education (principles, philosophy, views, methods, etc.), what your basic ideas about the teaching profession is, what your explicit or implicit expectations are, how you came to have those ideas and expectations, what you learned yourself, encounters with your mentors, and what kind of educational courses and programs you have taken part in so far. References are not required, but specify books and other materials, if any, that influenced your ideas. Uploaded papers will be reviewed by participants for mutual comments. Both papers and comments are subject to evaluation.

[Assignment 2] Understanding of theories of learning, instruction and evaluation / Participation & contribution
  Answer questions on tasks in Block 2 to show that you have properly understood the theories and concepts. An assessment will be made as to whether you have clearly explained your understanding of the theories and concepts based on your personal experiences. How actively you have posted comments on the discussion boards in Block 2, and how you have contributed to the overall discussion will also be evaluated.

[Assignment 3] Understanding of learning psychology / Participation & contribution
  Answer questions on tasks in Block 3 to show that you have properly understood the theories and concepts. An assessment will be made as to whether you have clearly explained your understanding of the theories and concepts based on your personal experiences. How actively you have posted comments on the discussion boards in Block 3, and how you have contributed to the overall discussion will also be evaluated.

[Assignment 4] Understanding of pedagogy / Participation & contribution
  Answer questions on tasks in Block 4 to show that you have properly understood the theories and concepts. An assessment will be made as to whether you have clearly explained your understanding of the theories and concepts based on your personal experiences. How actively you have posted comments on the discussion boards in Block 4, and how you have contributed to the overall discussion will also be evaluated.

[Assignment 5] Reflection Paper II
  The First draft is to be submitted as the task for Session 15. The draft will be reviewed by other participants for preparation of a final version, taking their comments into account. This task is designed to help you see and describe in the paper how your ideas have changed or deepened through participation in this course. Mention what theories and concepts have impressed you most, how you expect the course to influence your learning and instruction in the future, and what you think are the reasons the theories or concepts impressed you, etc. Both final papers and mutual comments are subject to evaluation.