Date : August 7, 2013

Course Requirement : Reaction Paper (Pragmatism)

Submitted To : Dr. Alberto Valenzuela

Submitted by : Mrs. Fritzie A. Clemente

Course : Master in Educational Management

Pragmatism seems to be the direct opposite of traditionalism as an educational philosophy. While

traditionalism would only include timeless ideas that have survived for centuries, pragmatism suggests
otherwise. In pragmatism, values are relative.

Pragmatism clings to the scientific approach of problem solving in arriving at a solution that will work. In
an ideal setting, pragmatism can be the most ideal approach to education since it promotes the
following benefits:

 Process centered learning that uses the scientific method of problem solving.

 Teachers become the facilitator of learning thereby providing the students with a less structured
learning environment that will promote creativity and critical thinking.

 Learnings become more engrained in the student since these are derived through experience
and not by mere lectures and memorization.

However, for all the positive attributes of Pragmatism, there are still topics or subject matters where the
scientific method may not be applicable, and lecture will still be the best approach to use.

References:

Book

Zulueta, F & Maglaya, E 2009, Foundations of Education, National Book Store, Quezon City