Epistemological beliefs refer to knowledge and understanding and there are two ways of knowing, which are called separate knowing and connected knowing. Separate knowing is a critical thinking approach, whereas connected knowing is an approach where an individual attempts to understand ways in which other people think and use this technique to understand their point of view. This study will look at the effects of students’ personal epistemological beliefs, - along with separate knowing and connected knowing - and their approach to thinking and learning and whether or not the students’ attitudes can influence academic performance or not. Previously, much research has been done where researchers have studied the way in which epistemological …show more content…
This study involved studying 107 college students in business communications class. The participants included forty-eight men and fifty-seven women all of whom differed in ethnicity. Schommer-Aikens & Easter (2006) thought that epistemology is likely a large part of the way in which students learn and solve problems and if factors such as age, gender or the year of college that the students are in can effect or relate to ways of knowing. Therefore, they wanted to find out in their study how ways of knowing can have anything to do with beliefs about knowledge and learning and whether or not …show more content…
Wood and Kardash used a eighty item self report survey to discover how gender and the level of education the individual has and if these factors can effect an individuals epistemological beliefs. The epistemological beliefs scale that was used in this study consists of five epistemological beliefs. The first factor is referred to as “speed of knowledge acquisition, the eight questions on the survey under this category indicated how students feel about the learning process as a whole and how much time that it takes to learn in particular. The second factor in this survey is called “structure of knowledge, it include eleven questions and students who received a high score indicated that they preferred knowledge that is more difficult and that there is more than one answer for a specific topic. Students who receive a low score within this category believe that knowledge is a much more individual concept and information is distinct. The third factor on the epistemological beliefs scale is called “ knowledge construction and modification which includes ten questions and this category allows researchers to determine which students believe that knowledge is something that can be learned as they study and grow and information can change. The
The article, “Critical Thinking? You Need Knowledge” by Diane Ravitch, discusses how in the past people have been deprived from the thinking process and abstract thinking skills. Students need to be given more retainable knowledge by their teachers to improve their critical thinking skills. (Ravitch).
Epistemology tells us how we come to acquire knowledge and what type of limits there are on our knowledge. Berkeley’s epistemological argument is that the physical and mental world are one-in-the-same. He denies the existence of an external world and believes that the world is only a collection of ideas in our heads. We only know things to be real as we experience them and we only experience our ideas. This leads Berkeley to the conclusion that for something to be real, that means that it is the object of some type of experience. Without epistemology, people would have no reason to believe in their thoughts and actions because there would be no difference between truth and error. We need epistemology to accept reality.
Most students are not able to share their knowledge, experiences, and assets with educators to guide their own learning, but instead have to learn what curriculum and standards require. Normally, this does not include learning about diverse communities and cultures, which directly affects how students in different social classes view knowledge. Since working-class and middle-class students cannot relate to what they are learning in school, they view knowledge as something only higher up officials in the education system possess and make while also thinking it has to do with memorizing facts and information. Furthermore, they do not view knowledge as something they possess. However, affluent professional schools have more opportunities for this type of learning and recognize knowledge as something they can make by making statements such as, “You can go explore for new things” and “I’d think of something to discover, then I’d make it” (Anyon). These statements show how these affluent students can think critically and abstractly about a concept rather than just memorizing facts. Because they were given the opportunity to share their experiences, and connect to most things being taught within the education system, they have more opportunities for meaningful
The epistemological concept questions “how do I know?” The epistemological dimension is how we view the assumptions of knowledge to decide what to believe (Marcia, 2008, p2). The way in which information is delivered affects how it perceived by those who receive the information. Intrapersonal dimension is how we chose and adopt the values and beliefs that we decide to live by (Marcia, 2008, p8). For example, as a student in the first phase of self-authorship, I seek my values and beliefs according to seeking acceptance from those around me, while others who may be further down the process chose their values and beliefs according to who they are. Interpersonal dimensions is the connection between yourself and with others (Marcia, 2008, p9). It is the understanding of others views and developing a mature and respectful way to interact with everyone. “Complex epistemological, intrapersonal, and interpersonal development is necessary for adults to build complex belief systems, to form a coherent sense of identity, and to develop authentic, mature relations with diverse others (Baxter Magolda, 2001).” Within this course, I believe that we have learned a bit of all of three dimensions. Reading the
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies knowledge. It is mainly concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. It attempts to answer the basic question of what distinguishes true or adequate knowledge from otherwise false or inadequate knowledge (Heylighen). The major branches of epistemological theory are rationalism, empiricism and mysticism. Rationalism implies that knowledge is obtained through reason and introspection. Ones ideas are justified by sense experience, but if the senses and intuition are in conflict, the sensory evidence must be discarded. In empiricism, knowledge is obtained through observation and experiment. Models and theories may be used to organize this sensory experience, but if theories contradict experience they are wrong. In mysticism, knowledge is obtained through faith, emotions or revelation but if observation or intuition contradict, the knowledge is thus deemed wrong (“Rationalism”). Doubt, as a Persian Proverb once said, is the key to knowledge. It is one of the influencing factors in the expansion of knowledge. A fact that is conside...
“Properly open mind is just the most enjoyable way to live” Ronald Geiger said in his article about skepticism. Skepticism is one of the first steps on the road to open, creative and critical thinking that young people should take in their lives. It is important for the people in adolescence period, like high school students, to learn how to think properly and be critical toward some of the aspects in society. The course in skepticism in high school will allow students to have positive effects on their intellectual level, ethical standings, physical conditions and psychological status. Skepticism should be included in high school curricular and be one of the requirements for graduation because of its tremendous amount beneficial factors in
Tagg, John. “Why Learn? What We May Really Be Teaching Students.” About Campus. 2004. Print.
Shaver, J. P. (1992). Epistemology and the education of social science teachers. Paper presented at the International Conference on Subject-Specific Teaching Methods and Teacher Education. [Online]. Available: ERIC Database #ED355143.
Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” –Albert Einstein
Epistemology helped me investigate the procedure I went through for crafting the essays. I referred to books, online articles, journal and other publications to understand and justify the concepts and information. It helped me distinguish between what is false, what is true across diverse contexts, and to decide the boundaries of knowledge based on how that knowledge is acquired. I also evaluated the truthfulness of my beliefs and personal opinion. I am actuated by understanding the sources of knowledge and also the quality of the resulting knowledge – knowing its dimensions and limitations.
Epistemology, also known as theory of knowledge is the part of philosophy that discusses the nature and scope of knowledge. Some questions that study the nature of knowledge could be, Have you ever thought about how we know things? What does it mean for someone to know something? How much can we possibly know? How do you know that 2 + 2 = 4, or that the square root of 144 is 12? Do we know something from reason or from di...
In order to understand and gain knowledge, learning theories stress the importance of creating a relationship between all pieces of information, the learner, and the environment. It is the responsibility of both the teacher and the learner to link the appropriate information together. If students can develop a relationship for the "underlying reasons for ‘how’ and ‘why’ to use specific procedures, they will be able to store this information as part of their knowledge network," and develop links with other pieces of information (Gersten and Baker, 1998, p.24). On the contrary, if learners learn facts of information that are isolated from a meaningful context, their understanding is often incomplete and meaningless. As a result of these linked relationships between individuals and environments, knowledge is the prevailing outcome. In summary, "knowledge is situated, being in part a product of the activity, context, and culture in which it is developed and used (Brown, Collins, and Duguid, 1989, p.32).
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the theory of knowledge. Epistemology studies the nature of knowledge, justification, and the rationality of belief. Much of the debate in epistemology centers on four areas: the philosophical analysis of the nature of knowledge and how it relates to such concepts as truth, belief, and justification, various problems of skepticism, the sources and scope of knowledge and justified belief, and the criteria for knowledge and justification. Epistemology addresses such questions as "What makes justified beliefs justified?", "What does it mean to say that we know something?" and fundamentally "How do we know that we know?"
My beliefs about teaching and learning is that it should be done with heart, soul, mind and strength. Teaching and learning has to be a passion, as well as, having the will to make sure students are being provided with the best education they possibly can earn. My beliefs range among the students. I believe education should provide all students with the freedom that encourages their natural growth. I also believe that students learn best when they believe they can learn, in different ways and at different rates, when the classroom and school enviroment supports them, when learning is authentic, when they feel respected and develope a positive relationship with their teacher, and when teachers provide explicit feedback designed to reduce the gap between student 's current and future higher level of understanding. My beliefs about knowledge is that all knowledge should be observed and respected no matter what student it may be. My beliefs about knowledge is based upon to theories: progressivism and essentialism theory. The progressivism theory believes that education should provide freedom that encourages children natural growth and development through activities. An
Epistemology as a theory of knowledge has influenced the way I teach as I have realized that there are certain things that we adapt on the external environment and these things have a major influence on the internal environment within which I actively construct knowledge. Being aware of these influences has helped me to understand that knowledge is not only constructed from the school settings, but also from the world outside the school. As a result I am able to act on those external influences and create knowledge rather than passively react to the environment.