Ebenezer College Virtual Smart School

PHILOSOPHY

Ebenezer College Virtual Smart School’s philosophy is shaped by the belief in the process oriented philosophical approach to teaching where learners are the center of the relationship rather than the subject – matter. The role of the virtual facilitator here is to guide/facilitate the learning process helping students learn how to learn and to provide opportunities to use and strengthen the variety of intellectual faculties that they possess.  The objectives are based on the cognitive levels of learning and the role of the virtual facilitator is more specifically to: (1) help students acquire knowledge; (2) guide and provide the appropriate materials needed by students to pursue a definition to the problems presented through a problem –centered curriculum; (3) generate problematic situations for students; (4) formulate questions and challenge students in all domains; and (5) raise the kinds of questions that direct students’ attention to levels of analysis that they would not be likely to use without the teacher’s aid, thus stimulating critical thinking skills (Elliott W. Eisner, 1979; Murphy, 2006).  In this model students are equal partners in the learning process, setting individualized educational goals aided by school personnel. Students are therefore empowered to take ownership of their education and are held accountable for their learning outcomes. This approach fosters progress and outstanding academic success. Our educational philosophy is also guided by the fact that students learn differently. Therefore, learning channels are developed to ensure that all students are afforded equal opportunities to access a quality education. Gutek 1988  stated that education refers very broadly to the total social processes that brings a person into cultural life and that “by living and participating in a culture, the immature human being gradually becomes a recipient of and a participant in a culture”.  Therefore we believe that it is important to inculcate in students the attitudes and values needed for the social and moral development of their nation. At Ebenezer we also believe that the curriculum should have a degree of personal and social relevance. Therefore our educational institution is responsible for the development of programmes that make such meaning possible. Here consideration is given to the educational and leadership development of the individual as well as national development needs. It is believed that these approaches promote the realization of psychological freedom as well as critical consciousness among learners so that they become aware of societal needs (Murphy, 2006) as well as realization of purpose. In summary, the overall goal of education should be for individuals to experience cognitive and intellectual mastery, to be able to function effectively in their environment. Therefore at Ebenezer College Virtual Smart School we feel obligated and are committed to framing the facilitation of learning in such a way to guarantee that students acquire the knowledge, skills, beliefs and attitudes required to participate fully and function successfully in a changing economy and national life.