DEPARTMENT OF PGDT

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

NAME FELEGESELAM MESFIN

1.compare and contrast the attributes of the following social philosophies with respect to their
proponents ,basic assumption ,educational aim ,curriculum emphasis ,the role of teacher and the
role of student.

A. Idealism
B. Realism
C. Pragmatism
D. Existentialism

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 INTRODUCTION
Philosophy is at the heart of curriculum development. It helps educators in formulating beliefs,
arguments, and assumptions and in making value judgments.
Philosophy develops a broad outlook, and it also helps in answering
 what subjects are important?
 how students should learn?
 what materials and methods should be used ?
 How is philosophy a “crucial determinant” in curriculum trends and development?
 What are the broad categories of philosophy, and what beliefs are espoused in each?
 What do you perceive as the pros and cons of each philosophy?
 What is your philosophy of teaching and learning as it relates to curriculum?
 How does your philosophy of teaching and learning drive your future personal and
professional choices?

Philosophy provides the starting point in decision making about education. the philosophical
foundations which include

1. Idealism
2. Realism
3. Pragmatism
4. Existentialism

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 1. Idealism
proponent are :- Plato, butler, kant , Augustine, Descartes, Tagore, Gandhi……..

Basic assumption

 the belief in human progress.

 a man is born with a spiritual self.
 Idealism advocates that ideas constitute what is real and permanent.
 Ideas are the only true reality.
 Idealism also emphasizes the spiritual component of man, i.e., man is a spiritual being.
 Idealism is considered one of the oldest philosophical systems.
 Use inductive method
According to this philosophy, education is the process of development of a person, his/her
conscious and spiritual self.The school exists to develop character, increase knowledge, and
cultivate aesthetic taste.
Educational aim
The aims of education are as follows:
 Exaltation Of Human Personality.
 Universal Education.
 Development Of Initiative & Creative Power.
 Acquisition And Enrichment Of Cultural Environment.
 Development Of Moral Sense.
 Self Realization.
 Develop strength of mind.
Curriculum Emphasis
 Idealist curriculum comprises of physical, intellectual and spiritual activities that will
enable a man to develop fully. It therefore reflects a diverse experiences.
 The idealist approach the curriculum from the domain of ideas and ideals.
 Preference is given to the whole human race. Idealism aims at developing a true sense of
appreciation of truth, goodness, beauty attainment of spiritual perfection.
 Prefer the order and pattern of subject matter that relates ideas and concept each other.
The Role Of Teacher
 The teacher is expected to be a model, friend, and guide to the learners.
 An idealist teacher is the one who has attained self- realization.
 The teacher is a practical person and leads an ideal and righteous life.
 The teacher has to provide such an environment to children to realize higher values.
 Teacher’s guidance is necessary at every step, as he would impress upon the child the
importance of higher values.
The Role Of Student
 receptacle of idea
 receives knowledge
 interest full

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 2. Realism
Proponent are :- John Locke, Erasmas, Rabelias, Comenius, Bertrand Russell, Francis
Bacon, Milton are the chief protagonists of Realism.

Basic assumption
 Matter or objects that we see exist by themselves, i.e., they exist absolutely with or
without man.
 Matter is not a construct of the human mind.
 The world as real as discovered by the scientist.
 Use inductive method
Realism is the doctrine that is associated with the study of the world we live in. It is a philosophy
away from the world of ideas or spiritual things. In Realism the word ‘real’ denotes actual or the
existing. It indicates those things or events which exist in the world in its own right.
Educational aim

 Transmission of inherited culture from one generation to another.

 Achievement of knowledge of nature and inner workings of the universe.
 Prepare learners for a happy and successful life.
 Activities related to language.
 Citizenship activities.
 Social activities.
 Activities of mental health.
 Activities related to vocational behavior.

Curriculum Emphasis
 Realism recommends the designing of curriculum for realistic education which
enables learners to solve different problems of life and to lead a happy and successful.
 View subject matter experts as a source of authority
The Role Of Teacher
Realism believes that teachers should have full knowledge of the subject matter, psychology
of learners and the scientific way of delivering education. The teachers must encourage the
learners to observe and experiment the natural objects and phenomena so that learners will be
able to find out new facts with respect of construction of knowledge. They should inform
learners about the scientific discoveries, inventions and researches in different fields of
knowledge.
The Role Of Student
 Focus on self active learning
 generalize the truth from a particular fact

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 3. Pragmatism

Proponent are :- John Dewey,bode,……..

Basic assumption
 Based on changes,process and relativism
 Truth also should be the idea that has been tested, verified, and found effective in solving
problems.
 Hypothesis is used in seeking knowledge
 Use both deductive and inductive method
Educational aim

 Identifying the problem,

 Formatting a hypothesis(es),
 Gathering or collecting data and tools to solve the problem,
 Testing each hypothesis, and
 Storing the unity of knowledge for use in some similar situations.

Curriculum Emphasis

 The interest of learner than subject matter to organize curriculum.

 Pragmatists propose a curriculum based on problems that arise out of daily living. School
is therefore an extension of home and community.
 the method is more important than subject matter.
 Teaching is more exploratory than explanatory.
The Role of Teacher
 Facilitates
 Coaches
 Change agent
 Motivate
The Role of Student
 Construct knowledge
 Engages discoverer

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 4. Existentialism

Proponent are :- A. S. Neill, Jean Paul Sartre, G.Keller,M.Greene……..

Basic assumption
 This philosophy focuses on human free will.
 Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.
 The world of existence, choice and responsibility is primary.
 Personal choice is central the decision lead to personal self definition.
Educational aim
 Is a process that originates within the self
 The learners would choose the knowledge they wish to possess
 A strong rejection of the traditional, essentialist approach to education.
 Freely determine our essence
 Responsible for determining for themselves what is "true" or "false," "right" or "wrong,"
"beautiful" or "ugly."

Curriculum Emphasis
 Avoid systematic knowledge or structured disciplines.
 Students are the center of the classroom, and they decide what to study, how to study,
when to study, why to study.

The Role of Teacher

 Provide learning experiences that promotes autonomy, interaction, and choice.
 The freedom to make choices is a big responsibility.
 Teachers should encourage students to exercise individual choice

The Role of Student

 Responsible for his/her own motivation and learning.
 decision as fundamental to human existence.
REFERENCE
Doll, J.W. (1993). Postmodern perspective on curriculum. New York, NY: Teachers College
Press.
Fleener, J.M. (2002). Curriculum dynamics: Recreating heart. New York, NY: Peter Lang.
Martin, D.J., & Loomis, K.S. (2007). Building teachers: A constructivist approach to
introducing education. Belmont, CA: Thompson Wadsworth.
Ornstein, A. C. (2011). Philosophy as a basis for curriculum decisions. In A. C. Ornstein,
E.F. Pajak, & S.B. Ornstein (Eds.), Contemporary issues in curriculum (5th ed.) (pp. 2-
9). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Shubert, W.H. (1985). Portrayal: The curriculum field. In W. H. Shubert, Curriculum:
perspective, paradigm, and possibility (pp. 25-34). New York, NY: MacMillan.

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