College of Education
GRADUATE SCHOOL
CHRISTINE JOY L. BERNAS
CHENEE SHAMMA R. DE JOSEPH
Reporter
CHARRY B. TACHADO, EdD
Course Facilitator
EDUC 206 – Contemporary Philosophy of Education
Chapter 1 – Major Philosophical Movements Influencing Contemporary Education
(Based on Nel Noddings’ Philosophy of Education)
I. Activity
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Group Activity.
Divide the class into small groups (4–5 members each).
Provide each group with a card containing the name and brief description of one philosophical
movement (e.g., Progressivism, Essentialism).
Task: Groups discuss their movement and brainstorm examples of how it might look in a classroom
setting (e.g., an activity or approach that aligns with their assigned movement).
Groups present a 1-minute summary of their findings to the class.
II. Analysis
1. How do these movements differ in their views on the purpose of education?
2. Can you identify elements of these philosophies in your own educational experiences?
III. Abstraction
A. Learning Outcomes
 Summarize key points of major philosophical movements influencing contemporary education
B. Learning Content
 Major Philosophical Movements Influencing Contemporary Education
Accredited:
Member:
Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
Agricultural Colleges Association of the Philippines (ACAP)
College of Education
Nel Noddings, in her work on the philosophy of education, explores various philosophical movements
that have significantly shaped contemporary education. Here are the major movements and their
influence, as articulated by Noddings:
1. Progressivism
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Rooted in the works of John Dewey, progressivism emphasizes experiential learning and the
development of critical thinking skills. Education is seen as a means to prepare students for democratic
participation and social reform.
Focus: Student-centered learning, active engagement, and the integration of real-world experiences into
education.
2. Perennialism
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This movement stresses the importance of timeless truths and great works of literature, philosophy, and
art. Perennialists advocate for a curriculum focused on enduring ideas rather than transient trends.
Focus: Cultivation of rational thought and intellectual rigor through classical texts and structured
learning.
3. Essentialism
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Essentialism focuses on a core body of knowledge and skills that all students must acquire to become
productive members of society. It emphasizes teacher authority and discipline in the classroom.
Focus: Mastery of foundational subjects like reading, writing, mathematics, and science.
4. Existentialism
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Influenced by existential philosophers like Sartre and Kierkegaard, this movement emphasizes
individuality, personal choice, and self-determination in education. Existentialists believe that students
must find their own meaning and purpose in life.
Focus: Encouraging students to explore their interests and take responsibility for their learning journey.
5. Critical Theory
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Rooted in the Frankfurt School, critical theory critiques societal structures that perpetuate inequality. In
education, it emphasizes empowering students to question and challenge oppressive systems.
Focus: Social justice, equity, and transformative education.
6. Feminism
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Feminist philosophy of education highlights the need to address gender biases and promote inclusivity in
educational practices and curricula. It seeks to create equitable opportunities for all genders.
Focus: Gender equity, empowerment, and the integration of diverse perspectives in education.
7. Constructivism
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Drawing on the works of Piaget and Vygotsky, constructivism views learning as an active, constructive
process where students build their understanding through interaction and exploration.
Focus: Collaborative learning, discovery, and scaffolding.
Accredited:
Member:
Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
Agricultural Colleges Association of the Philippines (ACAP)
College of Education
8. Care Ethics
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Noddings herself champions an ethics of care as a guiding framework for education. She argues that
relationships and empathy should be central to educational practices.
Focus: Fostering mutual respect, compassion, and interpersonal connection in the learning environment.
C. Summary
IV. Application
A. Quiz
Instructions: Identify the philosophical movement described in each statement. Write your answer in the
space provided.
1. This philosophy emphasizes experiential learning, critical thinking, and preparing students for
democratic participation.
2. It focuses on timeless truths and enduring ideas, often using classical texts to cultivate rational
thought.
3. Students are encouraged to explore their interests and take responsibility for their own learning,
emphasizing individuality and personal choice.
4. This philosophy stresses foundational subjects like reading, writing, and mathematics,
emphasizing teacher authority and discipline.
5. Rooted in the works of Piaget and Vygotsky, this movement views learning as an active,
constructive process through interaction and exploration.
6. Its main focus is on questioning oppressive systems and empowering students to advocate for
social justice and equity.
7. This philosophy seeks to address gender biases and promote inclusivity in education, advocating
for gender equity and diverse perspectives.
8. Advocated by Nel Noddings, this approach emphasizes relationships, empathy, and interpersonal
connection in educational practices.
9. This philosophy supports the idea that education should integrate real-world experiences to help
students connect classroom learning to societal challenges.
10. it advocates for using great works of art, literature and philosophy to build a strong intellectual
foundation for students, resisting temporary educational trends.
B. Assignment
Write a 100-word reflection on which philosophical movement you believe is most relevant to
modern education and why. Include examples from your own learning experiences or observations.
C. References.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/education-philosophy/?
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dewey/
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-theory/
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/work-labor/
Accredited:
Member:
Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
Agricultural Colleges Association of the Philippines (ACAP)