Applying Humanistic Ideas in the Classroom: Ideas That Work & Thoughts on Implementation

• In Event: Humanistic education in action: Connecting theory and practice

Abstract

Being intentional about high school students developing genuine compassion for fellow human beings, along with a strong sense of justice requires that certain elements are in place in the educational setting. This paper examines exactly what needs to be in place in a classroom and/or school, along with specific ways to work with students in order to structure thoughtful activities that help develop a culture of care.

Structural components, such as organizing students’ schedules, along with implementation challenges, such as transportation and liability will be addressed, but the primary focus will be on sharing ideas that have worked to engage high school students in their communities to face and work with the reality of their community. Drawing on experiences from having taught high school in Dallas, Texas for over twenty-five years, this paper outlines concrete examples of activities that were done with students, in order to enrich and broaden their experiences, while using the community as a classroom. The consistent result of working with students in this way was that they developed a stronger sense of commitment to continue engaging in work to serve and support others in their community.

Based on the educational ideas of Daisaku Ikeda and Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, this paper outlines how their ideas on humanistic education can be applied in a modern classroom or school setting.

Author

• Vicki Mokuria, Soka University of America