is philososphy a good skill to teach on line?

I think it is a great idea and would surely work well online. What I have seen is that philosophy is mostly taught by asking the students to read, listen/watch lectures, discuss and most of all, think. Since thinking is one thing that a student has to do himself, rest can definitely be achieved by today's technology. Anyone wants to give philosophy classes? I would like to attend a few myself :)

I think it is a great idea and would surely work well online. What I have seen is that philosophy is mostly taught by asking the students to read, listen/watch lectures, discuss and most of all, think. Since thinking is one thing that a student has to do himself, rest can definitely be achieved by today's technology. Anyone wants to give philosophy classes? I would like to attend a few myself :)

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Many of the core competencies we expect as part of the "learning how to learn" concept are rather close to philosophy. Critical thinking is one set of such skills which are essential for learners in any field.
And online learning is quite appropriate for critical thinking skills. For instance, Intute has tutorials about critical thinking which allow people to train themselves in critical thinking by applying those skills.
http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/
Plus, much of what is available online so readily requires critical thinking that there's a lot of self-training going on.
As for actually teaching those skills, it could be done through a consciously constructivist approach. The fit is excellent.

Many of the core competencies we expect as part of the "learning how to learn" concept are rather close to philosophy. Critical thinking is one set of such skills which are essential for learners in any field. And online learning is quite appropriate for critical thinking skills. For instance, Intute has tutorials about critical thinking which allow people to train themselves in critical thinking by applying those skills. http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/ Plus, much of what is available online so readily requires critical thinking that there's a lot of self-training going on. As for actually teaching those skills, it could be done through a consciously constructivist approach. The fit is excellent.

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I am not particularly sure but philosophy is also a required subject to take/ recommended to be studied for anyone pursuing PhD. I plan to do that in a few years, and there would be many working professionals/ teachers who plan to do the same. Hence, they will surely appreciate learning that. However, I think one of the most important things while putting together online course/ class is to quantify the benefits of the same to the learners as well as identify the target audience.

I am not particularly sure but philosophy is also a required subject to take/ recommended to be studied for anyone pursuing PhD. I plan to do that in a few years, and there would be many working professionals/ teachers who plan to do the same. Hence, they will surely appreciate learning that. However, I think one of the most important things while putting together online course/ class is to quantify the benefits of the same to the learners as well as identify the target audience.

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It would be great. It is the highest form of education. It would depend on how exactly is it put together.

It would be great. It is the highest form of education. It would depend on how exactly is it put together.

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That analogy is great John. I am sure if we can fully utilize the power which Internet and computers give, we would make learning a lot of joy for everyone involved.

That analogy is great John. I am sure if we can fully utilize the power which Internet and computers give, we would make learning a lot of joy for everyone involved.

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History was one of the subjects most disliked by students in the U.S. prior to 1990. Students were required to memorize dates and facts that seemingly had no relevance to their lives or experiences. The History Channel (placing historical themes in a graphic and auditory formate) changed that for literally millions of people.

I'm thinking here that Philosophy could successfully be taught on-Line if properly mixed with appropriate use of graphical/auditory learning aids. Besides, which are the best ways that humans learn? - it's not by lecture.

JohnK

History was one of the subjects most disliked by students in the U.S. prior to 1990. Students were required to memorize dates and facts that seemingly had no relevance to their lives or experiences. The History Channel (placing historical themes in a graphic and auditory formate) changed that for literally millions of people. I'm thinking here that Philosophy could successfully be taught on-Line if properly mixed with appropriate use of graphical/auditory learning aids. Besides, which are the best ways that humans learn? - it's not by lecture. JohnK

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Perhaps what I told my daughter when she was considering higher education choices enters in here...
If it is the acquisition of skills that is her goal, then seek out skills-oriented courses/classes at some institution that would provide them. If her goals are to enhance her education, then a traditional higher education institution should be considered. One prepares for a job and the other prepares the person.

I personally know of many, many people with advanced degrees that cannot find jobs. On the other hand there are many organizations that have need for people with skills but cannot find them. On another note, a very large international company located in our educational service area boasts of their employees having PhD's and MA's working their product assembly lines.
JohnK

Perhaps what I told my daughter when she was considering higher education choices enters in here... If it is the acquisition of skills that is her goal, then seek out skills-oriented courses/classes at some institution that would provide them. If her goals are to enhance her education, then a traditional higher education institution should be considered. One prepares for a job and the other prepares the person. I personally know of many, many people with advanced degrees that cannot find jobs. On the other hand there are many organizations that have need for people with skills but cannot find them. On another note, a very large international company located in our educational service area boasts of their employees having PhD's and MA's working their product assembly lines. JohnK

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I think he wants to know if teaching philosopjy (online)will translate in terms of money?
Or may be you want to teach it just as a social service!

I think he wants to know if teaching philosopjy (online)will translate in terms of money? Or may be you want to teach it just as a social service!

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Hi, thanks for the replies, and Alexander that intute link is very cool. Hmm, 'consciously constructivist approach' that would be an interesting class in philosophy! I teach in a Liberal Arts institution in the states, a tradition not as common elsewhere in the world. The specific discipline is not as important as the process, the learning to learn. Most of the jobs our students will be working have not been created yet, so the importance of a philosophical foundation to life long learning is critical. WiziQ is an excellent example of an emergent paradigm in informal and self-directed learning, and one slowly shaking the foundations of the traditional educational institution, precisely because of a shift in the epistemological foundation. See:
http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume43/ASeismicShiftinEpistemology/162892
regards,
Jan

Hi, thanks for the replies, and Alexander that intute link is very cool. Hmm, 'consciously constructivist approach' that would be an interesting class in philosophy! I teach in a Liberal Arts institution in the states, a tradition not as common elsewhere in the world. The specific discipline is not as important as the process, the learning to learn. Most of the jobs our students will be working have not been created yet, so the importance of a philosophical foundation to life long learning is critical. WiziQ is an excellent example of an emergent paradigm in informal and self-directed learning, and one slowly shaking the foundations of the traditional educational institution, precisely because of a shift in the epistemological foundation. See: http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume43/ASeismicShiftinEpistemology/162892 regards, Jan

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Hello, and thank you everyone for your comments. The philosophy of the pedagogy we assume in teaching is the best place to step off into a class on philosophy because we are practicing what it is we believe. This is especially true now as we see the paradigm shift occurring in education--and in many other realms as well. From my observations most on-line teaching is still using the old classic approach to epistemology but in a new platform--and that this is a temporary transitional phase. We are entering a post constructivist era at the bleeding edge of teaching and learning with emergent technologies. This is where our greatest hope for the survival of the planet lies, as a post constructivist approach reintroduces the environment to the learning process. This is also what our students need to prosper in the 21st Century and it is our responsibility to bring our students into this new era. Yes, philosophy is appropriate to teach in an on-line class--because you already do it in the assumptions you bring to your teaching and learning.
Regards,
Jan

Hello, and thank you everyone for your comments. The philosophy of the pedagogy we assume in teaching is the best place to step off into a class on philosophy because we are practicing what it is we believe. This is especially true now as we see the paradigm shift occurring in education--and in many other realms as well. From my observations most on-line teaching is still using the old classic approach to epistemology but in a new platform--and that this is a temporary transitional phase. We are entering a post constructivist era at the bleeding edge of teaching and learning with emergent technologies. This is where our greatest hope for the survival of the planet lies, as a post constructivist approach reintroduces the environment to the learning process. This is also what our students need to prosper in the 21st Century and it is our responsibility to bring our students into this new era. Yes, philosophy is appropriate to teach in an on-line class--because you already do it in the assumptions you bring to your teaching and learning. Regards, Jan

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since philosophy is the art to live very well.
I suggest to request to the USA President to assist us providing F.O.C. public lesson
Best regards
Andrea(mr)
http://myworld.ebay.com.sg/red98988 http://www.lamarstone.tel/

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since philosophy is the art to live very well. I suggest to request to the USA President to assist us providing F.O.C. public lesson Best regards Andrea(mr) http://myworld.ebay.com.sg/red98988 http://www.lamarstone.tel/ Click or copy in your browser the hyperlink, there are the co-ordinate for your information. To avoid our emails being seen as junk, please add our "From" address to your Address Book.

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Philosophy is always behind everything we do, say, teach and learn.

There is a philosophy behind online teaching too.

I think philosophy is always a good thing to teach (provided it is adapted to the context and public as everything we teach).

As usual, it is just my point of view. Thanks for your time and attention.

Philosophy is always behind everything we do, say, teach and learn. There is a philosophy behind online teaching too. I think philosophy is always a good thing to teach (provided it is adapted to the context and public as everything we teach). As usual, it is just my point of view. Thanks for your time and attention.

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he who want to differenciate himself from beast , to draw profit from his environment, know the secret of his existence here on earth, the value of hiden mystery in human life,as well as the secret of gods, must have a bit knowledge of philosophy,thus it is necessary to encourage the teacher of philosophy online,

he who want to differenciate himself from beast , to draw profit from his environment, know the secret of his existence here on earth, the value of hiden mystery in human life,as well as the secret of gods, must have a bit knowledge of philosophy,thus it is necessary to encourage the teacher of philosophy online,

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