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.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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4. Existentialism – a philosophy of
education whose aim is to help students
understand and appreciate themselves as
unique individuals.
Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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6. Behaviorism – a philosophy of education
whose aim is to change the learners’
behavior by providing them a favorable
environment.
Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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8. Linguistic Philosophy – a philosophy of
education whose goal is to develop the
learners’ communication skills.
Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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“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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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
 Traditional disciplines are given emphasis.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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,
traditional morality, or a belief in God.
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"Sartre, Jean-Paul", Microsoft® Student 2009 [DVD].
Microsoft Corporation, 2008.
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.
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"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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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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
much emphasis.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
Progressivism
 Teachers expose their students to various
progress evident in one’s society.
 Teachers use experiential approach through
scientific method, field trips, thoughtprovoking games and puzzles to enhance
students’ learning.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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
environment.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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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Source: The Teaching Profession 2nd edition by Bilbao et. al
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.
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Websites:
1. www.wikipedia.com
2. www.answers.com