Philosophies, Beliefs and Teaching Methods of Rudolf Steiner Essay

Philosophies, Beliefs and Teaching Methods of Rudolf Steiner - Essay Example However, intelligentsia within the country concerned with educational matters has endeavoured to bring about improvements from time to time by incorporating the accepted philosophical ideologies and evidence based scientific principles discovered, tried and tested through continuous research. Rudolf Steiner’s methodologies which promote nurturing a child’s inherent talents through a unique practice of interactive teaching aims at building personalities’ which emerge out of a child’s own initiative and desired goals in life. Compared to traditional public education where strictly defined and delineated subjects are to be mastered at specific stages in the child’s life, Steiner’s model has been considered to be a better method to impart real education by its proponents. However, deciding what the traditional model lacks as compared to Steiner’s model is a difficult task as all teaching activity at the early stages of a child’s lif e takes into consideration the capabilities, interests and limitations within which a young learner performs. Even in the tried and tested traditional model, teachers are careful and considerate of a pupil’s capabilities and deliver knowledge through well designed and attractive course curricula specifically designed for particular age groups. The propensity of Steiner-Waldorf schools is sparse in Britain, but the existing schools employing this model of teaching are vying for recognition and state financial sponsorship for their institutions amidst growing interest amongst some parents for seeking alternative methods of education delivery for their wards. The supposedly holistic pattern of education, which nurtures the creative and imaginative abilities of the pupil, is being looked upon as a better method for allowing children to grow up as responsible adults. The traditional model of education which stressed upon the 3R’s (reading, ‘riting, ‘rithmetic) a nd its regular evaluation amongst pupils has stood the test of time in Britain and is still the generally accepted mode of education as it existed in the better part of the late twentieth century (Willis, 2009). However, a trend has been noticed in which the revival of the progressive methods of education suggested by philosophers like Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Froebel, Steiner and Montessori during early years’ of a child’s life is being favoured (Willis, 2009). British education policy has witnessed twists and turns in favour of child-centred to traditional pedagogical methodologies. The Plowden Report of 1967 favoured the former while James Callaghan, the PM reiterated return to traditional methods in the year 1976 (Willis, 2009). The traditional methods were propagated by successive governments but a rethink after falling educational standards within the country again suggested return to the alternative methodologies, particularly in the last decade. The Early Years Fo undation Stage (EYFS) implementation in 2008 is a step in this direction (Willis, 2009). Steiner’s methodologies have been implemented in other European countries, Australia and the US with some degree of success. However, there is sharp criticism from some quarters as opponents believe that his methodologies are religion inspired and thereby do not conform with the cosmopolitan character of modern society which has widespread ethnic

The Greater Freedom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

The Greater Freedom - Essay Example To begin with, the influence of the political class on judicial proceedings will be limited or completely prohibited. This is because politicians often threaten fair administration of justice, hence hindering citizen from airing grievances. The judiciary is thus not autonomous, and prevalence of justice is sabotaged. Secondly, the government will be held accountable through democratic platforms. This would be essential in promoting media freedom in covering proceedings of government business in parliament, and the experts airing views on governance. Lack of questioning or critique of the government breeds corruption and other dubious deals whose burden and effects are borne by the citizens. Thirdly, it will be beneficial to carry over the freedom of rights article from the First Amendment to the new nation, which includes speech, religion, petition, peaceful assembly, and free press. This is because the amendment was made at a time when the United States was experiencing a lot of turbulence due to the then government’s discrimination against those who defied its rulings no matter how weird they were. It was during this period that the people were allowed to be affiliated with their religious groups of choice, and speak freely unless in the case of slander or malice. However, this freedom of expression will be under certain limitations that will include obscenity, advertisement of harmful substances, offensive symbolic expressions, and inappropriate music.America is a technological hub.