Chapter Five Chapter Five

Classical and Global Roots of Classical and Global Roots of EducationEducation

Classical and Global Roots of Classical and Global Roots of EducationEducation

The history of our profession is The history of our profession is ancient and noble. ancient and noble.

Education stands on the broad Education stands on the broad shoulders of some of the most shoulders of some of the most remarkable figures of the past. remarkable figures of the past.

It reaches deep into antiquity It reaches deep into antiquity and represents contributions and represents contributions from our rich multicultural from our rich multicultural heritage.heritage.

Education in Primitive SocietiesEducation in Primitive Societies

Humankind has existed for over a million years.Humankind has existed for over a million years. Only relatively recently, however, have we Only relatively recently, however, have we

developed a distinctive human culture. developed a distinctive human culture. EducationEducation was at the heart of the gradual was at the heart of the gradual

transition from primitive savagery to a human transition from primitive savagery to a human culture. culture.

Over the centuries, millions of men and women Over the centuries, millions of men and women (the first teachers) passed on their collective (the first teachers) passed on their collective knowledge and skills to the next generation. knowledge and skills to the next generation.

Ancient Multicultural Roots of Ancient Multicultural Roots of EducationEducation

From various multicultural threads, the From various multicultural threads, the basis of our educational history has basis of our educational history has gradually emerged. gradually emerged.

These threads come from the ancient These threads come from the ancient Egyptians, the Jews, the Hindus, and the Egyptians, the Jews, the Hindus, and the Chinese.Chinese.

Contributions from Ancient Contributions from Ancient CivilizationsCivilizations

EgyptiansEgyptians were the first to formalize education in the were the first to formalize education in the West to venerate their secular and religious leaders and West to venerate their secular and religious leaders and to help build their great empire.to help build their great empire.

The JewsThe Jews were the first to record their own history to were the first to record their own history to provide their descendents with a story of their past and a provide their descendents with a story of their past and a plan for the future. plan for the future.

From the From the ancient Hindus of Indiaancient Hindus of India comes the idea that comes the idea that knowledge was of great value to both the spiritual and knowledge was of great value to both the spiritual and secular world. secular world.

In In ChinaChina Lao Tse (Taoism) saw education promoting the Lao Tse (Taoism) saw education promoting the goodness of human kind, while Confucius saw education goodness of human kind, while Confucius saw education as important in developing good citizens. as important in developing good citizens.

Contributions from the New WorldContributions from the New World

The The AztecsAztecs of central America promoted of central America promoted universal education for both boys and girls.universal education for both boys and girls.

The The IncasIncas of South America encouraged of South America encouraged education in advanced mathematics and education in advanced mathematics and engineering. engineering.

These forms would be adapted by the Spanish These forms would be adapted by the Spanish and eventually would make their way into the and eventually would make their way into the southwestern areas of the future United States.southwestern areas of the future United States.

Ancient GreeceAncient Greece

The basis of Western education developed The basis of Western education developed from the from the GreeksGreeks..

Two traditions in education would emerge:Two traditions in education would emerge: Spartans Spartans gradually developed a system of gradually developed a system of

education that emphasized the virtue of valor education that emphasized the virtue of valor – the – the patriotic warriorpatriotic warrior. .

AtheniansAthenians developed the tradition of developed the tradition of academic learning and democratic citizenship. academic learning and democratic citizenship.

Socrates Socrates

The greatest of the Greek educators was The greatest of the Greek educators was Socrates (469-399 BCE). Socrates (469-399 BCE).

Socrates’ educational approach was one of Socrates’ educational approach was one of critical analysis based on logical argumentation - critical analysis based on logical argumentation - what we call the what we call the Socratic MethodSocratic Method.. First he challenged students’ preconceived ideas and First he challenged students’ preconceived ideas and

perceptions. perceptions. Then he revealed the faulty logic of their assumptions Then he revealed the faulty logic of their assumptions

and guided them to a better understanding of the and guided them to a better understanding of the question. question.

Socrates – The First Educational Socrates – The First Educational MartyrMartyr

Socrates became embroiled in bitter partisan Socrates became embroiled in bitter partisan politics and in 399 BCE he was charged with politics and in 399 BCE he was charged with impiety toward the gods and “corrupting the impiety toward the gods and “corrupting the youth of Athens.”youth of Athens.”

During his trial, Socrates infuriated the judges During his trial, Socrates infuriated the judges with his logic and his rhetorical skills and was with his logic and his rhetorical skills and was sentenced to death.sentenced to death.

Socrates accepted his punishment, drank poison Socrates accepted his punishment, drank poison hemlock, and died. In so doing, he became the hemlock, and died. In so doing, he became the first real educational martyr in history. first real educational martyr in history.

PlatoPlato Much of what we know about Socrates comes Much of what we know about Socrates comes

from his brilliant student, Plato (427-347 BCE). from his brilliant student, Plato (427-347 BCE). In 387 BCE, Plato established The Academy – In 387 BCE, Plato established The Academy –

which eventually became the centerpiece of which eventually became the centerpiece of formal education in Athens. formal education in Athens.

Plato’s Plato’s dialecticdialectic was at the heart of his teaching. was at the heart of his teaching. The dialectic involved oral questioning and student The dialectic involved oral questioning and student

responses. responses. Plato felt that this method of instruction allowed the Plato felt that this method of instruction allowed the

unfolding of knowledge (universal ideas) that were unfolding of knowledge (universal ideas) that were already present in the mind. already present in the mind.

AristotleAristotle

Aristotle was born in 384 BCE in the Aristotle was born in 384 BCE in the Greek city of Stagira.Greek city of Stagira.

He was responsible for promoting modern He was responsible for promoting modern educational ideas outside of Greece (as educational ideas outside of Greece (as tutor to Alexander the Great).tutor to Alexander the Great).

He was also the first to conceptualize the He was also the first to conceptualize the basis of the basis of the empirical methodempirical method and the idea and the idea of causality – the basis of the scientific of causality – the basis of the scientific method. method.

RomeRome

The Greeks had a powerful influence on the The Greeks had a powerful influence on the Romans through their system of education.Romans through their system of education.

The critical link between Greek and Roman The critical link between Greek and Roman education was made possible by Cicero (106-46 education was made possible by Cicero (106-46 BCE). BCE).

He argued that Greek education should be the He argued that Greek education should be the model for Rome. model for Rome.

His three-volume His three-volume De oratoreDe oratore (55 BCE) became (55 BCE) became the basis of Roman education – public speaking. the basis of Roman education – public speaking.

The Maturing of Roman The Maturing of Roman EducationEducation

Gradually a formal system of Roman Gradually a formal system of Roman education took shape.education took shape.

The system had four components: The system had four components: 1) basic elementary education1) basic elementary education

2) the grammar school2) the grammar school

3) military service 3) military service

4) higher education4) higher education

Roman Elementary SchoolRoman Elementary School

The vast majority of Roman boys went to elementary The vast majority of Roman boys went to elementary school (school (ludus).ludus). A few girls also attended. A few girls also attended.

The teacher (The teacher (Litterator) Litterator) instructed children ages seven to instructed children ages seven to twelve in reading and writing using the wax covered twelve in reading and writing using the wax covered tablet or tablet or tabella tabella -introduced by the Greeks centuries -introduced by the Greeks centuries before. before.

Once a student had learned to read he began to Once a student had learned to read he began to memorize lines from poets and the speeches of great memorize lines from poets and the speeches of great orators. orators.

This general method of memorization, repetition and This general method of memorization, repetition and recitation persisted in elementary schools well into the recitation persisted in elementary schools well into the modern era. modern era.

Roman Grammar SchoolRoman Grammar School

Young boys in their twelfth year Young boys in their twelfth year progressed to the grammar school progressed to the grammar school instructed by the Grammaticus.instructed by the Grammaticus.

Roman grammar schools typically focused Roman grammar schools typically focused on literature.on literature.

Some schools also embraced the Some schools also embraced the traditional seven disciplines of grammar, traditional seven disciplines of grammar, logic, rhetoric, music, astronomy, logic, rhetoric, music, astronomy, geometry, and arithmetic. geometry, and arithmetic.

QuintilianQuintilian The work of Marcus Fabius Quintilianus (Quintilian The work of Marcus Fabius Quintilianus (Quintilian

35-90 AD) represents the first major reform of 35-90 AD) represents the first major reform of elementary education in the classical world. elementary education in the classical world.

His His Institutio OratoriaInstitutio Oratoria or or The Education of the OratorThe Education of the Orator was the most important teachers’ training text of this was the most important teachers’ training text of this period, focusing on the aims, methods and content period, focusing on the aims, methods and content of elementary education. of elementary education. He felt that teachers should not only be scholarly but He felt that teachers should not only be scholarly but

must also have good moral character. must also have good moral character. He rejected corporal punishment as ineffective, He rejected corporal punishment as ineffective,

favoring instead encouragement and praise for favoring instead encouragement and praise for successful completion of work. successful completion of work.

One of his most important educational ideas was the One of his most important educational ideas was the developmental level of the child. developmental level of the child.

The Decline of Roman EducationThe Decline of Roman Education

The great reforms of Quintilian signaled the end The great reforms of Quintilian signaled the end of a “golden” era of classical education in Rome. of a “golden” era of classical education in Rome. Support for education declined during this period as Support for education declined during this period as

did the general status and salaries of teachers. did the general status and salaries of teachers. The overindulgence of children encouraged general The overindulgence of children encouraged general

laziness and deteriorated the traditional Roman work laziness and deteriorated the traditional Roman work ethic. ethic.

Following the fall of Rome in the mid-400s, Roman Following the fall of Rome in the mid-400s, Roman secular education collapsed and Europe plunged into secular education collapsed and Europe plunged into the dark ages. the dark ages.

The Role of the ChurchThe Role of the Church The one remaining element of the Roman The one remaining element of the Roman

Empire, was the Christian Church - the Roman Empire, was the Christian Church - the Roman Catholic Church. Catholic Church.

The Church demanded absolute adherence to The Church demanded absolute adherence to its doctrines and as a result, intellectual freedom its doctrines and as a result, intellectual freedom gradually faded.gradually faded.

Open criticism of Church teachings literally Open criticism of Church teachings literally became dangerous.became dangerous.

The teachings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, The teachings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and Quintilian were ridiculed because Cicero, and Quintilian were ridiculed because they did not align directly with Christian theology.they did not align directly with Christian theology.

The MonasteryThe Monastery During this period the monastery had a profound effect During this period the monastery had a profound effect

on Christian education.on Christian education. In the late 400s and early 500s, monasteries became In the late 400s and early 500s, monasteries became

havens for pious monks seeking refuge. havens for pious monks seeking refuge. In 529 Bishop Benedict created his monastery at Monte In 529 Bishop Benedict created his monastery at Monte

Cassino and established the so-called Cassino and established the so-called Rule of Benedict Rule of Benedict which establishedwhich established the model of Christian educationthe model of Christian education..

In England the famous Bishop Bede (known as the In England the famous Bishop Bede (known as the venerable Bede) taught in the Monastic school - later venerable Bede) taught in the Monastic school - later known as the Cathedral School of York. known as the Cathedral School of York.

Bede’s student, Egbert, continued the York school, Bede’s student, Egbert, continued the York school, established rigorous standards of scholarship and established rigorous standards of scholarship and expanded the curriculum beyond religion to include the expanded the curriculum beyond religion to include the liberal arts. liberal arts.

Charlemagne and AlcuinCharlemagne and Alcuin

Alcuin studied at the Cathedral School of York.Alcuin studied at the Cathedral School of York. In the early 800s, Charlemagne recruited Alcuin In the early 800s, Charlemagne recruited Alcuin

as his personal tutor and established the School as his personal tutor and established the School of Tours which was the intellectual center of the of Tours which was the intellectual center of the Carolingian Empire. Carolingian Empire.

Charlemagne also encouraged the Church to Charlemagne also encouraged the Church to establish village schools throughout establish village schools throughout Christendom.Christendom. He called for improved education in the monasteries.He called for improved education in the monasteries. He also engaged scribes to copy the bible for He also engaged scribes to copy the bible for

distribution throughout the empire. distribution throughout the empire.

ByzantiumByzantium

Despite efforts of the monasteries, much of Despite efforts of the monasteries, much of Western Europe remained in intellectual Western Europe remained in intellectual darkness since the fall of Rome (400s). darkness since the fall of Rome (400s).

Byzantium was a beacon of intellectual light and Byzantium was a beacon of intellectual light and hope in the East. hope in the East. Byzantine scholars maintained an intellectual curiosity Byzantine scholars maintained an intellectual curiosity

and freedom that had all but disappeared in Europe.and freedom that had all but disappeared in Europe. They studied the ancient classics, expanded secular They studied the ancient classics, expanded secular

knowledge and writing, and they maintained classical knowledge and writing, and they maintained classical education. education.

The Rise of IslamThe Rise of Islam

Islam emerged during the early 600s and expanded Islam emerged during the early 600s and expanded rapidly.rapidly.

By 750 Muslims controlled most of northern Africa and By 750 Muslims controlled most of northern Africa and pushed into present day Spain. pushed into present day Spain.

Islamic scholars translated a great deal of classical Islamic scholars translated a great deal of classical Greek literature and philosophy into Arabic. Greek literature and philosophy into Arabic.

They also translated Persian, Indian, and Chinese They also translated Persian, Indian, and Chinese science and philosophy.science and philosophy.

They developed the study of astronomy based on the They developed the study of astronomy based on the works of Persian and Hindu science. works of Persian and Hindu science.

In short, they preserved the educational traditions of the In short, they preserved the educational traditions of the ancient world.ancient world.

The Renaissance and the Rise of The Renaissance and the Rise of HumanismHumanism

HumanismHumanism was the heart and soul of the was the heart and soul of the Renaissance. Renaissance.

It focused on the importance of the individual It focused on the importance of the individual and looked to the educational ideas of the and looked to the educational ideas of the Greeks and Romans for intellectual Greeks and Romans for intellectual nourishment. nourishment.

It sought to reconcile religion with science and it It sought to reconcile religion with science and it embraced a secular vision for the future. embraced a secular vision for the future.

Major educational figures of the humanist Major educational figures of the humanist movement:movement:

Francesco PetrarchFrancesco Petrarch (1304-1374) (1304-1374) Giovanni Pico della MirandolaGiovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494) (1463-1494) Desiderius ErasmusDesiderius Erasmus (1466-1536). (1466-1536).

The Reformation – Counter The Reformation – Counter ReformationReformation

In the early 1400s, Christian humanists such as In the early 1400s, Christian humanists such as Erasmus challenged the power, materialism, and Erasmus challenged the power, materialism, and worldliness of the Roman Catholic Church. worldliness of the Roman Catholic Church.

This reform tradition would grow over the years This reform tradition would grow over the years and led to a major schism within the Christian and led to a major schism within the Christian Church. Church.

Major educational figures of the Reformation – Major educational figures of the Reformation – Counter ReformationCounter Reformation Martin LutherMartin Luther Ignatius LoyolaIgnatius Loyola John Amos ComeniusJohn Amos Comenius John Calvin.John Calvin.

Educational Contributions During Educational Contributions During this Periodthis Period

LutherLuther recommended a state supported system of recommended a state supported system of universal education that would focus on the study of universal education that would focus on the study of Greek and Latin, mathematics, science, history and Greek and Latin, mathematics, science, history and physical education. physical education.

Ignatius LoyolaIgnatius Loyola established the Society of Jesus established the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) that focused on rigorous teaching and helped (Jesuits) that focused on rigorous teaching and helped spread education to the New World. spread education to the New World.

ComeniusComenius wrote The wrote The Great DidacticGreat Didactic - the first work on - the first work on discipline in education and discipline in education and Orbis PictusOrbis Pictus - an - an illustrated illustrated textbook designed to help students learn to read. His textbook designed to help students learn to read. His concept of combining reading lessons with pictures concept of combining reading lessons with pictures revolutionized elementary classroom instruction. revolutionized elementary classroom instruction.

John CalvinJohn Calvin (Puritan) emphasized universal education (Puritan) emphasized universal education for boys and girls to help them read the Bible. for boys and girls to help them read the Bible.