1. Below are major educational philosophies and features.

1. Essentialism
Aim: Promote intellectual growth of learners for competence
Teacher's role: Sole authority in the subject matter
Focus: Essential skills, 3Rs
Trends: Back to Basics, cultural literacy

2. Perennialism
Aim: To educate the rational person, cultivate intellect
Teacher's role: Assist learners to think with reason (critical
thinking, HOTS)
Focus: Classical subject, Great Books, Enduring curriculum
Trends: Use of Great Books: Bible, Koran, Classical books

3. Existentialism
Aim: Education of the whole being, as a unique individuals
Teacher's role: Help students define who they are, their essence
Focus: Self-paced, self-directed, learner-centered
Trends: Individualized learning, values clarification
4. Progressivism
Aim: Promote democratic social living
Teacher's role: Develop lifelong learners
Focus: Learner-centeredness, interdisciplinary, outcomes-based
Trends: Humanistic education, contextualized curriculum, equal
opportunities for all
5. Reconstructionism
Aim: Improve and reconstruct society. Education for change
Teacher's role: Agent of change and reform
Focus: Transformation of present to future landscape
Trends: Global education, convergence, transformative education

6. Linguistic Philosophy
Aim:Develop communication skills in different languages
Teacher's role: Provide experiential learning to learn language
Focus: Language and communication
Trends: Mastery of communication skills (verbal, non-verbal,
paraverbal or listening, speaking, writing, viewing)
7.Behaviorism
Aim: Modify and shape learner's behavior
Teacher's role: Arrange environmental conditions to change
behavior
Focus: Learner's and the learning environment that act as stimuli
Trends: Education for sustainable development; ubiquitous
classrooms, multi-sensory stimuli

8.Constructivism
Aim: Develop intrinsically motivated learners
Teacher's role: Teaching students how to learn
Focus: Experiential learning

ISM

Essentialism
o Acquire basic knowledge, common body of knowledge
o Excellence in education
o Student centered
o 4R's (Reading , Writing, Arithmetic, Right Conduct)
o Schooling is practical for this will prepare students to become
competent and valuable members of the society
o Focuses on the basics-reading, writing, speaking and the ability
to compute (arithmetic)
o Subjects that are given emphasis include geography, grammar,
reading, history, mathematics, art and hygiene
o Stresses the values of hard work, perseverance, discipline and
respect to authorities
o Students should be taught to think logically and systematically-
grasping not just the parts but the whole
o Methods of teaching center on giving regular assignments,
drills, recitation, frequent testing and evaluation
Proponent: William Bagley
Existentialism
o Freedom of choice
o Individual Differences
o Unique individual
o Awareness of consequences
o Subject matter is personal choice
o Learning is based on the willingness of the student to choose
and give meaning to the subject
o Emphasis is given on the students rather than on the curriculum
content
o Students should not be treated as objects to be measured and
standardized
o Methods are geared on giving opportunities for the students for
self-actualization and self-direction
o Character development is through the responsibility of every
individual in making a decision
Proponent: Jean Paul Sartre

Perrenialism
o Education are changeless- Humanistic
o Educate the rational person
o Back to basics
o Cultural literacy
o Great work of civilization
o Develops the ability to think deeply
o Student – centered
o Some of the ideas in the past are still being taught because
they are significant
o Curriculum should contain cognitive subjects that cultivate
rationality, morality, aesthetics and religious principles. This
includes history, language, mathematics, logic, literature,
humanities and science.
o Curriculum must be based on recurrent themes of human life for
it views education as a recurring process based on eternal truths
o The teacher must have the mastery of the subject matter and
authority in exercising it.
o Aims for the education of the rational person—to develop man’s
power of thought—the central aim of this philosophy
Proponent: Robert Hutchins

Progressivism
o Always in the process of development
o Teaching using real life situation
o Relevant curriculum, humanistic education, radical school
reform
o Growth
o Learning by doing
o Focuses on the child as a whole rather than of the content or
the teacher
o Curriculum content comes from the questions and interests of
the students
o Emphasis is given on the validation of ideas by the students
through active experimentation
o Methods of teaching include discussions, interaction (teacher
with students) and group dynamics
o Opposes the extreme reliance on bookish method of instruction,
learning through memorization, the use of fear and punishment
and the four walled philosophy of education
Proponent: John Dewey

Idealism
o Unified reality with God
o Morally and mentally upright
o Mind
o Anything what is in your mind (absolute value)
o Ideas are the only true reality, the ultimate truths for matter is
nothing but just a mere representation of ideas.
o Emphasis is given on knowledge obtained by speculation and
reasoning for its central tenet is that ideas are the only things
worth knowing for
o Focus is on conscious reasoning of the mind in order to attain
truth. This includes the activities pertinent to the human mind
such as introspection and intuition and the use of logic
o Its aim is to discover the full potentials in child and cultivates it
in order to prepare him for a better position in the society and for
him to serve the society better
o Emphasis is given on subjects—philosophy, literature, religion
and history—that will develop and enhance the mind of the child
o Methods used in teaching include lecture, discussion and
Socratic dialogue
o Character development is through emulation of examples and
heroes
Proponent: Plato

Realism
o Based on natural law
o Lecture method and memorization
o Logical and abstract thinking
o Objects exist independently of the mind
o The most effective way to find about reality is to study it
through organized, separate and systematically arranged matter
—emphasis is on subject matter concerning Science and
Mathematics
o Methods used in teaching include recitation, experimentation
and demonstration
o Character development is through training in the rules of
conduct
Proponent: Aristotle

Pragmatism
o Always changing
o Interaction of individual with environment
o Essence of idea comes from the consequence of it’s
practice/test
o Practical / Beneficial
o Involves students to work in groups
o Methods of teaching include experimentation, project making
and problem solving.
o Stresses on the application of what have learned rather that the
transfer of the organized body of knowledge
Proponent: John Dewey, William James, Rousseau
Reconstructivism
o Reconstruct society
o Improvement
o Change and social reform / social change
o Awareness of societal needs and problems
o Schools should originate policies and progress that will bring
social reforms and orders
o Teachers should be an instrument to encourage and lead
students in the program or social reforms
o Curriculum emphasizes on social reforms as the aim of
education. It focuses on student experience and taking social
actions on real problems
o Method of teaching include the problem-oriented type (students
are encouraged to critically examine cultural heritage), group
discussions, inquiry, dialogues, interactions and community-based
learning
o The classroom will serve as a laboratory in experimenting
school practices “bringing the world into the classroom”
Proponent: Pragmatism, Teodore, Brameld

Behaviorism
o Back to basics
o Stimulus response to teaching
o Modification and shaping of students behavior
o Asserts that human beings are shaped entirely by their external
environment
o The only reality is the physical world
Proponent: John Watson

NATURALISM
o Naturalism stands for a democratic and universal way-everyone
must be educated in the same manner
o Education is in accordance to human development and growth
o Emphasis is given more on the physical development-informal
exercise-and hygiene of the person rather of the 3 R’s
o Aims to unfold the child’s potential not to prepare him for a
definite vocation or social position-but to prepare him to adapt to
the changing times and needs
o Consequently, one’s conduct is governed by impulse, instincts
and experience.
o It puts the child at the center of educational process and
prepares him to experience life as it is.

CONSTRUCTIVISM
o A philosophy of learning which asserts that reality does not exist
outside of human conceptions. It is the individual who constructs
reality by reflecting on his own experience and gives meaning to
it.
o Learning is the process of adjusting one’s mental modes to
accommodate new experience.

NATIONALISM
o The most important development was the creation of common
language
o Stresses on the teaching of the principles of democracy, and
duties of citizenship
o Stimulates the development of the state which includes the
control and support of public school system
o Curriculum includes the teaching of grammar, geography and
history
o Method of teaching gives emphasis on the content regarding on
nature studies, physical exercises and play activities

HUMANISM
o Education is a process and should not be taken abruptly. The
unfolding of human character proceeds with unfolding of nature
o The learner should be in control of his destiny
o Concern is more on methods which include theme writing rather
than oral discussions, drills and exercises, playing
o Asserts the importance of playing in the curriculum
o Emphasizes motivations and the use of praise and rewards
o Curriculum includes subjects concerning literary appreciation,
physical education, social training in manners and development