She just told me that she wants us to relate our personal educational philosophy to the established educational philosophies as described in our class text and since you will be summarizing information your learned about perennialism, essentialism, progressivism, and/or postmodernism, you will need to include in-text citations and references.
Yet she also wants us to give our beliefs about teaching and learning, students, knowledge, what is worth learning, and what we ultimately believe as an educator. That's doable, but the above thing almost seems like that could be a separate paper in of itself and really doesn't belong in a POE per se.
Well, unless she specifically asked for 2 papers, I would keep it to one, otherwise you are creating more work than needed. I think it would be much simpler (and less time consuming) to just insert a couple of quotes from the test.
Well, I think she wants your POE to be based on research-based evidence of some kind. You can find someone who has done research to support pretty much any educational model. I think having something research based to back your POE up is a good idea for interviews anyway.
She's merged the assignment description, her paper grading tool, and the rubric to provide clearer expectations for me and the rest of the class. Here's what that is:
MTE 501 Educational Philosophy Paper
Student:
X of 100
X of 150 pts.
INTRODUCTION (5 of 5)
The introduction should provide sufficient background of topic (+2), preview major points (+2), and identify the content to be discussed (+1). Major points of the introduction should match the assignment.
CONTENT AND DEVELOPMENT (70 of 70)
The paper should demonstrate full knowledge of content and expertise. Ideas should be supported with details, evidence, and/or examples.
One paragraph concerning each of the following (within context of your professional and personal goals):
Your beliefs about teaching and learning (10 of 10)
Your beliefs about students (10 of 10)
Your beliefs about knowledge (10 of 10)
Your beliefs about what is worth knowing (10 of 10)
Your personal educational philosophy (10 of 10)
Describe how you will use these beliefs as the basis of your instructional practice (10 of 10)
Relate your personal educational philosophy to the established educational philosophies and explain the connection (10 of 10)
CONCLUSION (5 of 5)
The conclusion should flow logically from the paper and summarize major points (+4). Leaves the reader with a final thought to take away (+1).
ORGANIZATION (5 of 5)
The paper's organization and sequencing should logical and appropriate for the assignment (+2). There is an introduction and conclusion (+1). Paragraphs contain topic sentences and supporting sentences(+1). Use of headings (+1).
SENTENCE STRUCTURE AND CONVENTIONS (5 of 5)
Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed. Spelling is correct. Refer to APA standards for academic papers.
(- 1. for every 3 errors identified by facilitator or the Center for Writing Excellence)
FORMATTING (5 of 5)
APA formatting guidelines have been followed (according to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition).
___ Title Page: Title of paper, author’s name, University of Phoenix (+ 1 title page) (+.5 correct items)
___ Page Header (do not confuse with Running Header) first two or three words of title. Type five spaces to the left of page #. (+.5)
___ Font Times Roman or Courier (+.5)
___ Double Spaced (+.5)
___ Margins all four sides 1” (+.5)
___ Page numbers 1” from right edge, between top edge and first line (+.5)
___ Use headings to organize paper (+.5)
___ Paper submitted as an attachment and is Microsoft Word compatible. Paper is submitted as an attachment to the <Individual> forum. (+.5)
____ Other: Abstract and Running Head not assigned.
REFERENCING (5 of 5)
APA referencing guidelines have been followed (according to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition).
___ Citations of references in text (+2 correct formatting of in-text citations)
For quotes: (author, year, p. ).
For summarizing/referring to the author’s thoughts, data, etc.: (author, year).
___ Reference list (+ 1 reference page) (+2 correct formatting of references)
I googled "educational philosophy paper" to see if I could get a better idea of what I had to be writing for her, but the only things that came up were POEs (Philosophies of Education), which you can't exactly fit into her expectations.
I know this has ultimately left of the students in my class confused, not just me.
This is a scholarly work, so it has to follow established standards for format (in your case APA).
Your philosophy is expected to be based on what you have learned during your education as a teacher. It is not just your uninformed opinion. You are showing what you have learned, either from your course work or research for this paper, and what you are taking from it. You will want to show where your philosophy came from, so you will quote and cite.
Part of the requirement is to relate your philosophy of education to established educational philosophies. You will compare and contrast. You certainly need to quote and cite here.
