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5. How does all of this relate to the South African context?

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5. How does all of this relate to the South African context?

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When observing the constructivism philosophy that Mr Keating applies, it is evident that it could be beneficial for teachers in South Africa too. Teachers should facilitate the learning process instead of focusing on the teacher-centred method. For example, in South African schools, when doing poetry, teachers hand out the notes, themes and meaning of the poems instead of allowing learners to develop their own knowledge and creativity. Teachers should instead ask the learners for their meaning and allow them to construct their views, opinions and perspectives.

The contemporary approach would be beneficial to use in South African classrooms as learners are not challenged to think deeper, they are given all the work they need to know and merely need to memorize. For example, in their literature paper, learners are already given their long questions and need only to memorize them. By doing this, one is removing the purpose of literature and hindering the process of critical thinking. By merely facilitating learners and allowing them to come up with their own answers and perspectives learners will be able to become critical thinkers while connecting literature to their own lives.

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3. Methods and strategies used by Mr Keating

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3. Methods and strategies used by Mr Keating

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Learners are instructed to quote poetry while kicking footballs, they all sneak into the woods to read romantic poems, learners move around in the classroom, and he encourages the act of being progressive instead of being traditional.  He also respects all the learners while giving them advice when needed.

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6. How does all of this relate to the South African context?

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6. How does all of this relate to the South African context?

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When observing the movie, Freedom Writers, it is evident that the philosophies, approaches, and methods can be applied to the South African education context.
Firstly, the progressivism philosophy can be used in South Africa as it focuses on learners as a whole, another important principal is that it encourages learners to become a thinker and problem solver. In South Africa, many teachers merely regurgitate the textbook, learners hardly need to think outside of the box and their personal experiences are left outside of the classroom. Personally, I would encourage more teachers to use this philosophy as learners will be able to use their personal struggles (poverty, lack of resources, racism) to think of how they can improve their situation instead of merely living with it, just as the freedom writers did.
The situational approach will also be beneficial as teachers are faced with many challenges in South Africa, for example, lack of books and teaching materials, teachers need to be encouraged to adapt to the situation and make a difference in the learners lives regardless. For instance, to go outside and learn poetry by making use of their surroundings.

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4. How did Mr Keating apply this philosophy and approach inside and outside of his classroom?

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4. How did Mr Keating apply this philosophy and approach inside and outside of his classroom?

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- There are various instances when one observes Mr. Keating practicing the constructivism philosophy, however, the first instance that comes to mind is when he greets the learners and instructs them to tear out pages in their poetry books as he wants them to find their own meaning of the poems. This supports the idea of how learners should gain knowledge by construction instead of memorizing pages in text books.
- Another instant where constructivism is apparent is when he tells the learners to stand on their tables and walk around to 'un-learn' the authoritative, behaviouristic, traditional ways of the school. Mr Keating's goal was to provoke a passion for learning in the learners, he believed that they each had unique passions and abilities, so instead of merely regurgitating content, he wanted them to find their own voice.
- An instance where constructive, facilitative learning takes place, is where Mr Keating helps Todd create his own poem by showing him only a picture on the wall and he briefly facilitates the poem by asking Todd questions which evokes creativity and originality. By this act of encouragement, Todd finds his innervoice and passion.
- Although the movie ends on a sad note, it is evident that Mr Keating inspired and touched the life of Neil Perry through his unconventional methods. Mr. Keating's life motto was "Carpe Diem”, which means to seize the day. He encouraged the learners to follow their passions, and Neil's parents did not approve of him following his dreams which were to become an actor instead they tried to force him to study something in the medical field.

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2. How does Mr Keating make use of the contemporary approach?

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2. How does Mr Keating make use of the contemporary approach?

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This approach is learner-centred, and it values the knowledge, experiences and beliefs of learners. When applying this approach, the teacher should promote learning by creating a learning environment where there is trust, positive critique, knowledge sharing and active engagement. Mr. Keating did just this, he wanted learners to think for themselves. He stimulated and facilitated this so well that learners were kept in their deep thoughts even after the long school day. He wanted to end educational oppression and allow them to think actively while connecting learning to their own lives. For example, Todd changed from an introvert who never delivered his opinion, to on outspoken critical thinker. Neil also connected his own life experiences to the motto "seize the day", he went to go act at the concert regardless of what his parents had said.

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3. How did Mrs Gruwell apply the situational approach?

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3. How did Mrs Gruwell apply the situational approach?

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This approach focuses on supportive and directive behaviours, it is about analysing the situation and adapting accordingly. The teacher therefore has to be prepared to change her teaching strategy in order to cater for the learners and this is exactly what Mrs Gruwell did. She realized that what and how she was teaching was not influencing or benefitting the learners, she had very high directive behaviours. She thereafter experienced internal conflict as to what she should do otherwise. She applies the situational approach as she ends the movie by being an effective leader who has supportive behaviours. Mrs Gruwell does this by building a relationship with her learners and incorporating content which they can relate to, for example, giving them The Diary of Ann Frank to read as their prescribed novel.

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1. Mr Keating is a one-of-a-kind, unconventional teacher who makes use of the constructivist philosophy when teaching which goes hand in hand with the contemporary approach which he also practices. 

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1. Mr Keating is a one-of-a-kind, unconventional teacher who makes use of the constructivist philosophy when teaching which goes hand in hand with the contemporary approach which he also practices. 

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The philosophy that is most dominant in the teachings of Mr Keating is constructivism. This theory entails various aspects, for example, constructivists believe that knowledge is acquired by means of construction instead of it being passively or innately absorbed. This philosophy focuses on the learner. It is believed that learners should develop their own knowledge through facilitated learning instead of merely gaining knowledge through schoolbooks or teachers. Learners should determine their own education instead of conforming to the known, traditional ways.

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4. A few more methods and strategies used by Mrs Gruwell

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4. A few more methods and strategies used by Mrs Gruwell

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She uses songs when teaching poetry that the learners are familiar with, she also switches the learners' seating position, she makes use of the line game when getting to know the learners' in her classroom and she motivates them to read and write too.  Mrs Gruwell takes the learners on a field trip, toasts with them for change and incorporates class discussions or debates.

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5. How did Mrs Gruwell apply this philosophy and approach inside and outside of her classroom?

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5. How did Mrs Gruwell apply this philosophy and approach inside and outside of her classroom?

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- Firstly she practiced democracy by treating all the learners equally regardless of their race, class or status. She also encouraged their individuality and freedom by learning more about their background and culture. She got to know the learners for who they are and what their stories are, while encouraging them to change the negative patterns they found themselves in (gang shootings, juvenile delinquents and racism) instead of conforming them into 'behaved and quiet' learners without a voice or a purpose.
- She shared decision making with her class by asking them what their struggles are and based on that she taught content which would help them in the present and the future. For example, she provided them with diaries where they could express their feelings and situations which contributed to their mental and emotional health while simultaneously improved their writing and reading.
- She chose topics and activities relevant to their context, for example, she took them on a trip to the holocaust museum to connect them emotionally and show them how many people have suffered. This being relevant to the learners as they also faced unfair racial and gang hatred as well as killing, similarly to what the Jewish faced. Mrs Gruwell went the extra mile and invited the lady who looked after Ann Frank to the school. This lady spoke to the learners regarding struggles that the learners could relate to which encouraged them to change history and become problem-solvers. Furthermore, Mrs Gruwell taught poetry by playing a rape tape which the learners were familiar with, once again relating the topics to the learner's backgrounds.
- Lastly, Mrs Gruwell believed in using books as tools to the extent that she applied for extra jobs in order to buy the learners appropriate, context related books, for example, The Diary of Ann Frank and The Outsiders. These books changed their lives, not only did they provoke a love for reading, they also encouraged the learners to have hope no matter the circumstances.

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2. John Dewy was a great proponent of progressivism. He believed that the below mentioned methods are crucial when applying this philosophy.

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2. John Dewy was a great proponent of progressivism. He believed that the below mentioned methods are crucial when applying this philosophy.

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- Students should experience democracy and freedom in schools.
- Decision making should be shared.
- Topics should be student selected.
- Books are seen as tools and not authority.

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1. Mrs Gruwell is an outsanding teacher who uses various philosophies, approaches and methods. However, she focuses mainly on progressivism.  

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1. Mrs Gruwell is an outsanding teacher who uses various philosophies, approaches and methods. However, she focuses mainly on progressivism.  

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Progressivists believe that education should focus on the learner as a whole instead of merely on the teacher or on the content. When applying this philosophy, one should understand that learning is done by questioning life experiences. The learner should be encouraged to become a thinker and problem solver who makes meaning through personal experiences regarding cultural and physical contexts.

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The teaching philosophies, approaches and methods used by Mrs Gruwell and Mr Keating.

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The teaching philosophies, approaches and methods used by Mrs Gruwell and Mr Keating.