Social Reconstructinism: An Effective Philosophy

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According to Sadker and Zittleman social reconstructinism encourages, “schools, teachers, and students to focus their studies and energies on alleviating pervasive social inequalities and, as the name implies, reconstruct society into a new and more just social order”. Social Reconstructionist is mainly founded on a “student-centered” classroom. It also encourages students to get out and help out in the community. Teachers can alter their curriculum around their classes needs. The purpose of social reconstructinism is to reconstruct society. Reconstructinism focuses primarily on their students and what better way to help them in the future. The best part about this philosophy, students take responsibility of their education. By the time student’s transition into college skills needed to survive will be learned. Social Reconstructinism is an effective philosophy because it values alteration in curriculum, actively involves students, and promotes change in society.
As a Social Reconstructionist the teacher chooses his or her way of teaching with their students in mind. The role of the teacher is to create information and challenging lessons that will open their student’s eyes to social inequities. School is the ideal place to educate students on global problems; Such as: racism, sexism, global warming, homelessness, etc. Primary task of the teacher is to present daring lessons that will demand emotional responses from students, making them what to do something about it. For example, if a school is state funded it must teach the US constitution on Constitution day; how the lesson is taught is up to the teacher.
The classroom should be a democratic environment where students choose what they want to learn. The teacher and stud...

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...emotional response. Once an emotional response is stirred up students should want to take matter into their own hands, demanding change. Skills should be taught through assessments and projects; such as communication skills, and developing their own voice. Once students take matter into their own hands change will come about.

Works Cited

Bleazby, Jennifer. Social Reconstruction Learning: Dualism, Dewey and Philosophy in Schools.
Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2013. Ebook Library. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
Bramela, Theodore. Toward a Reconstructed Philosophy of Education. New York Dryden Press,
1956.
Reeves, Emily. Philosophy of Education: Social Reconstructinism. 2013.

PBS. Only a Teacher Schoolhouse Pioneers. https://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/john.html

Zacko, Jeffery.”Social Reconstructinism.” Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education.

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