EDUCATIONAL
PHILOSOPHIES
By: Ludolf D. Nietes, RN, MAN (c) Melody Gonzales
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Definition of Terms
1. Educational Philosophy – refers to a
person’s beliefs and values about education and serves as the foundation for his/her
practice of his/her profession.
2. Perennialism – a philosophy of education
that focuses on teaching learners things considered to be lasting or enduring.
Definition of Terms
3. Essentialism – a philosophy of education
whose primary aim is for the learners to learn the basic skills of reading, writing, arithmetic and right conduct.
4. Existentialism – a philosophy of
education whose aim is to help students understand and appreciate themselves as unique individuals.
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Definition of Terms
5. Progressivism – a philosophy of education
whose primary goal is to develop learners to become enlightened and intelligent
citizens of a democratic society.
6. Behaviorism – a philosophy of education
whose aim is to change the learners’
behavior by providing them a favorable environment.
Definition of Terms
7. Constructivism – a philosophy of
education whose goal is to equip the
learners with learning skills for them to
construct knowledge and make meaning of them.
8. Linguistic Philosophy – a philosophy of
education whose goal is to develop the learners’ communication skills.
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Definition of Terms
9. Christian Philosophy – a philosophy of
education whose goal is to impart Christ’s teachings to the learners.
10. Confucianism – a major system of thought in
Chinese philosophy, developed from the
teachings of Confucius and his disciples, and concerned with the principles of good
conduct, statecraft, practical wisdom, and proper social relationships.
“Confucianism", Microsoft® Student 2009 [DVD]. Microsoft Corporation, 2008.
Perennialism
Man is a rational being.
Schools must develop the students’ rational and moral powers.
A perennialist curriculum is a universal one and is heavy on the humanities or general education.
Vocational and technical education are not given so much emphasis.
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Perennialism
Perennialist teachers base their teachings from the Great Books.
Teacher-centered approach.
Teachers do not allow students’ interests to dictate what they teach.
Socratic dialogues are used to understand history’s most timeless concepts.
Essentialism
Teachers teach for learners to acquire basic knowledge, skills and values.
Teachers aim is to transmit the traditional
moral values and intellectual knowledge that students need to become model citizens.
Essentialist programs are academically rigorous.
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Essentialism
Essentialist teachers scowl upon vocational courses.
Teacher-centered approach.
Essentialist teachers give emphasis to mastery of the subject matter.
Essentialist teachers are autocratic. They rely on the use of prescribed
textbooks.
Existentialism
Jean Paul Sartre is the leading proponent of this philosophy.
To achieve an authentic human existence, an individual must overcome the tendency to bad faith, recognize his or her own absolute freedom, and assume responsibility for any decisions made, unaided by society,
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Existentialism
Freedom and acceptance of personal
responsibility are the main values in life and that individuals must rely on their creative powers rather than on social or religious authority.
"Sartre, Jean-Paul", Microsoft® Student 2009 [DVD]. Microsoft Corporation, 2008.
Existentialism
To help students understand and appreciate themselves as unique individuals who
accept complete responsibility for their
thoughts, feelings and actions is the primary goal of existentialist teachers.
Existentialist teachers demand the education of the whole person, not just the mind.
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Existentialism
Students are given a wide variety of options from which to choose.
Existentialist curriculum puts high emphasis on the humanities.
Existentialist teachers focus upon the
actions of historical individuals, each of whom provides models for the students’ own behavior.
Existentialism
Vocational education is regarded more as a means of teaching students about
themselves rather than of earning a livelihood.
Student-centered approach.
Existentialist teachers use values
clarification strategy in dealing with their students.
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Progressivism
To develop learners into becoming
enlightened and intelligent citizens of a democratic society is the ultimate goal of progressivist teachers.
Progressivist teachers teach their students so they may live life fully today not to prepare them for adult life.
Progressivism
Student-centered approach.
A progressivist curriculum responds to
students’ needs and relates to their personal lives and experiences.
Progressivist teachers accept that the only permanent thing in this world is change. Natural and social sciences are given so
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Progressivism
Teachers expose their students to various progress evident in one’s society.
Teachers use experiential approach through scientific method, field trips,
thought-provoking games and puzzles to enhance students’ learning.
Behaviorism
Behaviorist teachers believe that man is a product of his or her environment.
Behaviorist teachers assert that learning occurs whenever there is a change in their students’ behavior.
They teach their students how to respond positively to various stimuli in the
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Behaviorism
Behaviorist teachers really put emphasis on the importance of environment on their
students’ learning process.
They may employ reward and punishment to affect their students’ behavior.
Constructivism
Teachers teach their students with learning skills necessary for them to construct
knowledge and make meaning of them.
Learning skills taught include researching, critiquing, reflecting, making meaning,
drawing insights to name a few.
Constructivist teachers promote interaction. The teachers are facilitators.
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Linguistic Philosophy
The goal of which is to develop the communication skills of the learners. Teachers who use this philosophy of
education teach their students the skill on how to send and receive messages clearly and effectively.
Language and grammar are given so much emphasis.
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References:
Books:
1. Bilbao, P.P. et. al. (2012). The Teaching Profession 2nd edition.
2. Duka, C.D. (2011). Reviewer for the Licensure Examination for Teachers 5th edition.
3. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Websites:
1. www.wikipedia.com 2. www.answers.com
