PHILOSOPHIES IN EDUCATION

Philosophies Proponent/s Description/Context Implication

A common
John Watson
example of
and B. F.
behaviorism is
Skinner
Behaviorism is based on positive
(1904–1990).
the idea that knowledge reinforcement. A
Edwin Guthrie
is independent and on student gets a
(1886–1959),
the exterior of the small treat if they
Edward
1. Behaviorism, learner. In a behaviorist’s get 100% on their
Tolman
mind, the learner is a spelling test. In
(1886–1959),
blank slate that should the future,
Clark Hull
be provided with the students work
(1884–1952),
information to be learnt. hard and study
and Kenneth
for their test in
Spence
order to get the
(1907–1967)
reward.
In contrast to
behaviorism, cognitivism
focuses on the idea that
students process
linking concepts
information they receive
together, linking
rather than just
Wolfgang concepts to real-
2. Cognitivism responding to a stimulus,
Kohler world examples,
as with behaviorism.
discussions and
There is still a behavior
problem-solving.
change evident, but this
is in response to thinking
and processing
information.
Scaffolding is a
key feature of
Constructivism is ‘an
effective
approach to learning that
teaching, where
holds that people
the adult
actively construct or
continually
make their own
adjusts the level
knowledge and that
of his or her help
reality is determined by
in response to
Jean Piaget the experiences of the
the learner's level
3. Constructivism and John learner’. Constructivism
of performance.
Dewey believes in personal
construction of meaning
In the classroom,
by the learner through
scaffolding can
experience, and that
include modeling
meaning is influenced by
a skill, providing
the interaction of prior
hints or cues,
knowledge and new
and adapting
events.
material or
activity
Robert Perennialism is The goal of a
4. Perennialism Hutchins and sometimes referred to as perennialist
Mortimer “culturally conservative,” education is to
Adler because it does not teach students to
challenge gender think rationally

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 and develop
minds that can
think critically. A
perennialist
classroom aims
to be a closely
organized and
well-disciplined
environment,
stereotypes, incorporate
which develops
multiculturalism, or
in students a
expose and advocate
lifelong quest for
technology, as would be
the truth.
expected of
Perennialists
contemporary literature.
believe that
Perennialists are
education should
primarily concerned with
epitomize a
the importance of
prepared effort to
mastery of the content
make these ideas
and development of
available to
reasoning skills. The old
students and to
adage “the more things
guide their
change, the more they
thought
stay the same”
processes toward
summarizes the
the
perennialists’
understanding
perspective on
and appreciation
education.
of the great
works, works of
literature written
by history’s finest
thinkers that
transcend time
and never
become
outdated.
This philosophy
advocates training the This philosophy
mind. Essentialist stresses core
educators focus on knowledge in
transmitting a series of reading, writing,
progressively difficult math, science,
topics and promotion of history, foreign
William C.
students to the next level language, and
5. Essentialism, Bagley (1874–
or grade. Subjects are technology. The
1946)
focused on the historical tools include
context of the material lecturing,
world and culture, and memorization,
move sequentially to repetition,
give a solid practice, and
understanding of the assessment.
present day.
John Jacques Progressivist educators The progressivist
6. Progressivism Rousseau are outcome focused classroom is
(1712–1778) and don’t simply impart about exploration
John Dewey learned facts. Teachers and experience.

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 Teachers act as
facilitators in a
classroom where
students explore
physical, mental,
moral, and social
growth. Common
sights in a
progressivist
are less concerned with
classroom might
passing on the existing
include small
culture and strive to
groups debating,
(1859–1952) allow students to
custom-made
develop an individual
activities, and
approach to tasks
learning stations.
provided to them.
Teachers
typically walk
freely among the
groups, guiding
them using
suggestions and
thought-
provoking
questions.
Social reconstructionists
reason that, because all The
leaders are the product reconstructionist
of schools, schools classroom
should provide a contains a
curriculum that fosters teacher who
their development. involves the
Reconstructionists not students in
only aim to educate a discussions of
generation of problem moral dilemmas
solvers, but also try to to understand the
identify and correct many implications of
George noteworthy social one’s actions.
7. Reconstructionism
Counts problems that face our Students
nation, with diverse individually select
targets including racism, their objectives
pollution, homelessness, and social
poverty, and violence. priorities and
Rather than a philosophy then, with
of education, guidance from
reconstructionism may the teacher,
be referred to as more of create a plan of
a remedy for a society action to make
that seeks to build a the change
more objective social happen.
order.

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References:
1. Greenwood, Ben (2020, February 13) What is Behaviourism and How to Use it in the
Classroom? https://blog.teamsatchel.com/what-is-behaviourism-and-how-to-use-it-in-
the-classroom
2. Loveless Becton (2022, April 12) 15 Learning Theories in Education (A Complete
Summary) https://www.educationcorner.com/learning-theories-in-education/
3. Anderson, L. and Krathwohl, D. (eds.) (2001). A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching,
and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives New
York: Longman
4. Atherton J. S. (2013) Learning and Teaching; Bloom’s taxonomy, retrieved 18 March
2015
5. Bloom, B. S.; Engelhart, M. D.; Furst, E. J.; Hill, W. H.; Krathwohl, D. R. (1956).
Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals.
Handbook I: Cognitive domain. New York: David McKay Company
6. Fontana, D. (1981) Psychology for Teachers London: Macmillan/British
Psychological Society
7. McLeod, Saul (2019) Constructivism as a theory for teaching and learning.
https://www.simplypsychology.org/constructivism.html
8. Edupedia (2022) What is Perennialism?
https://www.theedadvocate.org/edupedia/content/what-is-perennialism/
9. Edupedia (2022) What is Essentialism?
https://www.theedadvocate.org/edupedia/content/what-is-essentialism/
10. Edupedia (2022) What is Progressivism?
https://www.theedadvocate.org/edupedia/content/what-is-progressivism/
11. Edupedia (2022) What is Reconstructionism?
https://www.theedadvocate.org/edupedia/content/what-is-social-reconstructionism/