Classroom Style and the Four Philosophies

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

This is just an observation on the four philosophies of China and how a teacher might teach within ones classroom. I have been gearing up for the debate and been advising a first year teacher, so I notice a similarity in the two. I was able to relate to the philosophies when I put it into the context of a classroom.

I do believe that I first started to think in this direction during our last meeting during the lecture by Mr. Dube. I tend to relate to ideas better when I connect them to my life experiences. Call it daydreaming, but as I was listening, I was thinking that I kind of teach that way in my class or I seen a teacher do that, or I was taught that way. I will not say will philosophy I favor or emulate, but it is a hybrid.

I will say I have experienced some teachers in my past that are Legalists. They tend to treat all students as not good and that is how the class was conducted. A list of laws to dictate any situation that might occur in the classroom, there were more “No’s and Don’ts” then “Cans and Do’s”, better just to sit still in that class. How about the belief that people should just farm and fight for the government according to the Legalists, I had a class like that in college. It basically was a class where the student reads, then takes a test. That teacher was exciting to say the least. I think every student has experienced a reward and punishment style of classroom. I will admit that describes most teachers in the classroom today, I am one of them. (It works for me.)

Lead by example Confucius tells us, so should a teacher I believe and that is one of many reasons I am taking this class. I tell my students what I am doing in the class; show them the requirement, and the books I need to read. I tell them learning is life long. In my Catholic school days I remember ritual, so I guess Confucius might have been a closet Catholic. My teachers, the nuns, had rituals throughout the school day and year. The standing of the class for all adults who enter and reciting their name is what expected of all students. Beware if the teacher didn’t think you reacted quickly enough. (Legalism) I will not bore with all the religious rituals, there were plenty of them.

I observed a teacher in my early years that I will swear was a Daoist or as I heard during the lecture, a hippie. She had a do nothing attitude, I saw no rules, and she was tolerant of all students. If you walked in the classroom it looked like pure chaos and she was behind the desk doing ten different things. She was grading a paper, talking to a student, and so many other things. It really worked for her. I can not explain it any better than I just did. She had the Way.

I think what works for any teacher is dependent on the class, time of day, and subject. Choose your style or Chinese philosophy to guide your students in the class. Better yet pick and choose the best and come up with your own unique philosophy. I have only one recommend for all teachers and that is to be a Mohist. I think you can not go wrong with “Universal Love.” Treat all students equally, they deserve it. They will love you back for it.

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