Philosophies of

Education
Sherwin E. Balbuena
EdD Educl Leadership

DR. EMILIO B. ESPINOSA, SR. MEMORIAL STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
 ?
What is life?
Who am I?
Why am I here?
What am I living for?
Existential
What is reality?
Questions
Is the universe real?
What is good to do?
How should I live life
meaningfully?
 Why do I teach?
What should I teach?
In the How should I teach?
school
context What is the nature of the
learner?
How do we learn?
 Essentialism
Five Major Progressivism
Philosophies
of Perennialism
Education Existentialism
(Bilbao, et Behaviorism
al)
 Why teach?
This philosophy contends
Essentialis that teachers teach for
m learners to acquire basic
knowledge, skills, and
values.
 What to teach?
Basic skills or the fundamental Rs
-- reading, riting, rithmetic, right
conduct-- as these are essential to
the acquisition of higher or more
Essentialis complex skills needed in
m preparation for adult life.
Curriculum includes the traditional
disciplines such as math, natural
sciences, history, foreign language,
and literature.
 How to teach?
Essentialist teachers
Essentialis emphasize mastery of
m subject matter. They are
expected to be intellectual
and moral models of their
students.
 Why teach?
Progressivist teachers teach to
Progressivis develop learners into becoming
m enlightened and intelligent
(Pragmatism or
Experimentalis
citizens of a democratic society.
m) They teach learners so they may
live fully NOW not to prepare
them for adult life.
 What to teach?
Need-based and relevant curriculum. This
is a curriculum that responds to students
needs and that relates to students
personal lives and experiences.
Progressivis More concerned with teaching the learners
the skills to cope change. Change is the
m only thing that does not change.
Natural and social sciences. Teachers
expose students to many new scientific,
technological, and social developments,
reflecting the progressivist notion that
progress and change are fundamental.
 How to teach?
Progressivists teachers employ
experiential methods. They believe
that one learns by doing. (John Dewey)
Problem-solving method makes use of
Progressivis the scientific method.
m Hands-on-minds-on teaching
methodology (e.g., field trips during
which students interact with nature or
society). Teachers also stimulate
students through thought-provoking
games and puzzles.
 Why teach?
To develop the students rational
Perennialis and moral powers.
m (Rational Belief in the primacy of reason
Humanism) and in the humans ability to
make rational judgments about
the goodness of things (Adler &
Hutchins).
 What to teach?
The perennialist curriculum is a
universal one on the view that all
Perennialis human beings possess the same
m essential nature.
Heavy on humanities and general
education.
Great Books.
 How to teach?
The perennialist classrooms are
centred around teachers. The
teachers do not allow the
Perennialis students interests or experiences
m to substantially dictate what they
teach. They apply whatever
creative techniques and other
tried and true methods which are
believed to be most conducive to
disciplining the students minds.
 Why teach?
To help students understand and
appreciate themselves as unique
individuals who accept complete
Existentialis responsibility for their thoughts,
m feelings, and actions.
Existence precedes essence.
Education of the whole person,
not just the mind.
 What to teach?
Gives a wide variety of options
from which to choose.
Emphasis on the humanities.
Existentialis Vocational education to teach
m children about themselves and
their potentials.
In the arts, students are
encouraged to practice individual
creativity and imagination.
 How to teach?
Focuses on the individual.
Learning is self-paced, self-
directed.
Existentialis Individual contact with the
m teacher.
Teachers remain non-judgmental
and take care not to impose their
values on the students; since
values are personal.
 Why teach?
Behavioris
m Students behavior is a
product of his environment.
 What to teach?
Behavioris Teach students to respond
m favorably to various stimuli in
the environment.
 How to teach?
Arranges environmental
conditions so that students
Behavioris can make the responses to
m stimuli.
e.g., well-managed
classroom, use of attention
catchers and incentives.
Summary
 Reconstructionism/Critical
Other Theory
Philosophies Religious Orthodoxy
(accdg. to
Eisner) Reconceptualism
Cognitive Pluralism
 What philosophies of
education do our schools
adhere to?
Reflection
In the historical
perspectives of our
educational system?
 There are as many worlds
Thank you! as there are ways to
describe them.
NELSON GOODMAN