Grace A. Flores
BSED MATHEMATICS III
ED201 – Facilitating Learner-Centered Teaching
Teacher-Centered Philosophies
Teacher-centered philosophies are educational approaches that focus on the transfer
of knowledge from one generation of teachers to the next. In these philosophies, the
teacher takes on a central role in imparting essential skills, values, and knowledge to
students.
Teacher-centered philosophies are
educational philosophies where the
teacher’s role is to impart knowledge,
values, and skills that have survived
through time
The emphasis is on the teacher's
authority, determination, work ethic,
and compassion, while students are
expected to demonstrate mastery of
the objectives through assessments
and tests.
Perennialism: The Philosophy of Timeless Knowledge
Perennialism is an educational philosophy that emphasizes the timeless relevance of
certain works.
 Perennialists believe that certain books and ideas hold enduring value and
should be at the core of education. These works, often referred to as great
books, transcend time and remain applicable in contemporary society.
The Goal of Perennialism
The primary goal of perennialism is to develop students' ability to think critically and
rationally. The focus is on exposing students to great works of literature, history, and
philosophy, written by renowned thinkers throughout history.
The Perennialist classrooms
The perennialist classroom strives to create a well-disciplined and organized
environment that fosters a lifelong pursuit of truth.
Mastery of Content and Reasoning Skills
Perennialists place a strong emphasis on mastery of content and the development of
reasoning skills. Sequential skill development is prioritized, with an emphasis on
reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the early grades.
These foundational skills prepare students for the study of literature, history, and
philosophy in later grades.
Essentialism: The Philosophy of Basic Skills
Essentialism is an educational philosophy that prioritizes the teaching of fundamental
skills. Advocates of essentialism believe in training the mind and preparing students for
the challenges of the real world.
This philosophy emphasizes a core curriculum, focusing on subjects such as reading,
writing, math, science, history, foreign language, and technology. The goal is to provide
students with a solid foundation of knowledge that can be applied in various contexts.
The Goal of Essentialism
The main goals of essentialism are to instill students with the “essentials” of academic
knowledge, patriotism, and character development. Essentialist educators focus on
transmitting a series of progressively difficult topics and promoting students to the next
level or grade.
The focus of coursework in essentialism is to teach the essentials of life, including
intellectual knowledge, vocational skills, moral principles, physical fitness, and wellbeing habits. Essentialism advocates training the mind and promoting reasoning to
ensure a common culture for all citizens.
The Essentialist Classroom
In an essentialist classroom, students typically follow a structured schedule, attending
different classes throughout the day. The teacher plays a central role, imparting
knowledge through lectures, while students take notes and engage in practice activities.
Assessments are used to gauge students' understanding and competence. Once
students demonstrate sufficient mastery of the material, they progress to the next grade
or level. While a specific curriculum is predetermined, teachers have some flexibility in
how they deliver the content.
Comparing Essentialism and Perennialism
While essentialism and perennialism are both teacher-centered philosophies, they have
distinct differences in their approach to education. Essentialism focuses on teaching
basic skills and core knowledge, while perennialism emphasizes the timeless relevance
of certain works.
Essentialism places importance on a structured curriculum, teacher-led instruction, and
assessments to measure student progress. On the other hand, perennialism values
critical thinking, rationality, and the exploration of great works of literature and
philosophy.
Both philosophies have had a significant impact on education, shaping the way
educators approach curriculum design and instruction. Understanding these
philosophies can help educators find the balance between imparting essential
knowledge and fostering critical thinking skills in their students.
Conclusion
Teacher-centered philosophies such as essentialism and perennialism provide
valuable insights into the role of teachers in education. Essentialism emphasizes the
teaching of basic skills and core knowledge, while perennialism focuses on the
timeless relevance of certain works.
By understanding these philosophies, educators can develop effective teaching
strategies that promote both essential knowledge and critical thinking skills in their
students.
REFERENCE
Lynch, M. (2016, August 5). Philosophies of Education: 2 Types of Teacher-Centered
Philosophies.
The
Edvocate.
https://www.theedadvocate.org/philosophies-
education-2-types-teacher-centered-philosophies/
Gibbs, H. (2021, February 10). 2.5: What is the difference between teacher-centered vs.
student-centered
philosophies? Social
Sci
LibreTexts.
https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Education_and_Professional_Develop
ment/Foundations_of_Education_and_Instructional_Assessment_(Kidd_et_al.)/0
2%3A_Educational_Philosophy/2.05%3A_What_is_the_difference_between_tea
cher-centered_vs._student-centered_philosophies