Five Philosophies of Education

ESSENTIALISM

 

**Why Teach?

This philosophy contends that teachers teach for learners to acquire basic knowledge, skills and values. Teachers teach "not to radically reshape society "but rather" to "transmit the traditional moral values and intellectual knowledge that students need to become model citizens.

***What to Teach?

Essentialist programs are academically rigorous. The emphasis is on academic content for students to learn the basic skills or the fundamental r's - reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic, right conduct - as these are essential to the acquisition of higher or more complex skills needed in preparation for adult life. The essentialist, curriculum includes the "traditional disciplines such as math, natural science, history, foreign language, and literature. Essentialists from upon vocational courses or other courses with 'watered down academic content.' The teachers and administrators decide what is most important for the students to learn and place little emphasis on student interests, particularly when they divert time and attention from the academic curriculum.

****How to teach?

Essentialist teachers emphasize mastery of subject matter. They are expected to be intellectual and moral models of their students. They are seen as "fountain" of information and as "paragon of virtue", if ever there is such a person. To gain mastery of basic skills, teachers have to observe "core requirements, longer school day, a longer academic year..."

With mastery of academic content as primary focus, teachers rely heavily on the use of prescribed textbooks, the drill method and other methods that will enable them to cover as much academic content as possible like the lecture method. There is a heavy stress on memorization and discipline.

• PROGRESSIVISM

**Why Teach?

Progressivist  teachers teach to develop learners into becoming enlightened and intelligent citizens of a democratic society. This group of teachers teach learners so they may live fully NOW not to prepare them for adult life.

***What to Teach?

The progressivists are identified with need-based and relevant curriculum. This is a curriculum that "responds to students' needs and that relates to students' personal lives and experiences."

Progressivists accept the impermanence of life and the inevitability of change. For the progressivists, everything else changes. Change  is the only thing that does not change. Hence, progressivist teachers are more concerned with teaching the learners the skills to cope with change. Instead of occupying themselves with teaching facts or bits of information that are true today but become obsolete tomorrow, they would rather focus their teaching on the teaching of skills or processes in gathering and evaluating information and in problem-solving.

The subjects that are given emphasis in progressivist schools are the "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. In addition, students solve problems in the classroom similar to those they will encounter outside of the schoolhouse."

• How to teach?

Progressivist teachers employ experiential methods. They believe that one learns by doing. For John Dewey, the most popular advocate of progressivism , book learning is no substitute for actual experience. One experiential teaching method that progressivist teachers heavily rely on is the problem-solving method. 

This problem-solving method makes use of the scientific method. Other "hands-on-minds-on" teaching methodology that progressivist teachers use are field trips which students interact with nature or society. Teachers also stimulate students through thought-provoking games, and puzzles.