Education Degrees Come Full Circle

What are the different philosophies for improving education taught to those who earn bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees in education? Aspiring teachers (bachelor degree candidates) are taught to improve their teaching by applying educational research findings.

Supposedly, this is better than trial and error and hoping luck and serendipity are on their side. As they earn higher degrees, their understanding comes full circle.

After earning a bachelor’s degree:

Graduates are able to identify education issues and make research-based suggestions for improvement.

After earning a master’s degree:

Graduates are able to identify the most significant issues and make research-based suggestions for improvement that overcome specific barriers.

After earning a doctoral degree:

Graduates are able to identify the most significant problems, hypothesize about the reasons for them, and know the results of educational research that has explored them. This knowledge enables them to realize three things:

1. There is no sure way to improve the situation.
2. Some improvement strategies will have more benefit than others. It all depends on the situation.
3. Trial and error, luck and serendipity play major roles in all improvements.

The circle is complete.

Watch closely the next time the Education Research Emperor is parading down Main Street. He has nothing on.

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