JOHN LACETER U.

ORATA BSED -ENGLISH 1A

ENTRY NO. 2

PARADIGM SHIFT: TEACHER-CENTERED TO

LEARNER-CENTERED TEACHING
Before you proceed studying the philosophies of teaching and learning, answer the survey form below by
checking the cell of the number that corresponds to your answer. If you answer 1, it means, you strongly
disagree to the statement; 2 = disagree; 3 = somewhat agree; 4 = agree; 5 = strongly agree.

Statements 1 2 3 4 5
1. The curriculum should be universal; a given body of information about western /
civilization should be taught through discussion and lecture.
2. Students are makers of meaning and construct their understandings from active /
experience, rather than through transmission from teachers.
3. Curriculum should not be predetermined; rather, it should spring from students' /
interests and needs.
4. It is necessary and good that schools instill traditional values in students. /
5. Schools exist to provide practical preparation for work and life, not to nourish /
personal development.
6. Teaching the great works of literature is less important than involving students in /
activities to criticize and shape society.
7. Teachers, rather than imparting knowledge, are facilitators of conditions and /
experiences so students can construct their own understandings.
8. The aim of education should remain constant regardless of differences in era or /
society, it should not vary from one teacher to another.
9. Schools should encourage student involvement in social change to aid in societal /
reform.
10. The emphasis in schools should be hard work, respect for authority, and discipline, /
rather than encouraging free choice.
11. Schools should guide society towards significant social change rather than merely /
passing on traditional values.
12. Teachers should concentrate on conveying a common core of knowledge rather than /
experimenting with modifying curriculum.
13. The curriculum should focus on basic skills instead of students' individual interests. /
14. Conflicts to current understandings trigger the need to learn and to make meaning. /
15. Advocating the permanency of the classics is a vital part of teaching. /
16. Perceptions centered in experience should be emphasized, as well as the freedom /
and responsibility to achieve one's potential.
17. Education should help drive society to better itself, rather than restricting itself to /
essential skills.
18. Teachers should encourage democratic, project-based classrooms that emphasize /
interdisciplinary subject matter.
19. A knowledgeable individual facilitates or scaffolds learning for a novice based on /
understanding the learner's developmental level and the content to be learned.
20. The greatest education centers mainly around the student's exposure to great /
achievements in subjects such as arts and literature.
21. Learning requires modifying internal knowing structures in order to assimilate and /
accommodate new information.
22. The primary goal for educators is to establish environments where students can learn /
independently through purposeful reflection about their experiences.
23. Students' involvement in choosing how and what they should learn is central to /
education.
24. The most distinctive quality of human nature is the ability to reason; for this reason, /
the focus of education should be on developing intellect.
25. Learning should guide students to active participation in social reform. /
 JOHN LACETER U. ORATA BSED -ENGLISH 1A
ENTRY NO. 2

Now, score yourself. Add all your scores for Items 1,8,15,20,24 (Perennialism); Items 4,5,10,12,13
(Essentialism); Items 3,16,18,22,23 (Progressivism; Items 6,9,11,17,25 (Social Reconstructionism; and
Items 2,7,14,19,21 (Constructivism). Where you scored highest, that is your philosophy of education. If
there are two or more philosophies where you have high scores, you have an eclectic educational
philosophy.

PERENNIALISM -1- 4 ESSENTIALISM -4= 3 PROGRESSIVISM -3=5

8- 3 5= 4 16=4
15- 3 10=5 18=2
20- 4 12= 3 22=5
25-3 13= 2 23=3
________ _______ ________
17 17 19

SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTIONISM -6=3 CONSTRUCTIVISM -2=4

9= 5 7=4
11=5 14=3
17= 5 19=4
25=4 21=4
________ _________
22 19
 JOHN LACETER U. ORATA BSED -ENGLISH 1A
ENTRY NO. 2

Using the information you read about learner -centeredness in the materials, perform the
tasks.
Activity 1. In your own words and using the graphic organizer below, explain learner-centered teaching and
teacher-centered teaching philosophies.
ESSENTIALISM -in this teacher -centered philosophy, the
PERENNIALISM
teachers goal is - a teacher
to teach students discipline, -centered
patriotism that values
,character knowledge
development
and thethat transcends
“basics”. in time. Itsholds
This philosophy goalthat
is toour
teach students
culture to think
has a core rationally
knowledge
and critically.
that should be transmit to learners.
Teacher-Centered

PROGRESSIVISM -a learner -centered philosophy which believes that

the best way to prepare learners from an unknown future is to equip them with
problem- solving strategies. It also holds that ideas should be tested by
experimentation thus, learners’ interests is the content of curriculum rather than
academic disciplines.

SOCIAL RECONTRUCTIONISM -educators focus on a

curriculum that highlights social reforms as the aim of education. It also allow
learners to have firsthand experiences on reform activities.
LEARNER-
CENTERED
CONSTRUCTIVISM -in this philosophy collaborative learning is
encouraged. The teacher becomes the facilitator and the learners are encouraged
to interact with each other , and share their understandings , knowledge and
experiences to come up with new knowledge.

EXISTENTIALISM -holds the idea that individual is unique

thus its objective of education is to allow individual to develop their
unique qualities, to harness their potentialities and cultivate their
individual selves. According to Satre; “existence precedes essence”…
which means first they exist and then they define and make their own
meaning, purpose and/or essence.
 JOHN LACETER U. ORATA BSED -ENGLISH 1A
ENTRY NO. 2

Activity 2. After knowing the differences between the teacher-centered and learner-centered
educational philosophies, you now reconcile the dominant educational philosophy identified in
the survey above. Whether you sustain or revise your philosophy now, justify by presenting at
least two major arguments.
 As seen on the result of the survey above that my highest score was on SOCIAL
RECONSTRUCTIONISM which is a philosophy that emphasizes the addressing of
social questions and a quest to create a better society and a worldwide democracy, it
focuses on the curriculum that highlights social reform as the aim of education.
According to Theodore Brameld who founded the Social Reconstructionism after the
World War II , he believe that education had the responsibility to mold human beings
into a cohesive and compassionate society; meaning that the role of teacher is to teach
his/her students to reconstruct or mold the society as Dr. Jose Rizal once said that “ Ang
Kabataan ang pag-asa ng Bayan” so as a future generation who have the possibility to
become a future leader, teachers should expose them to activities such as field trips,
community-based immersions or projects which allows them to interact with the society
not only to learn about their society but to prepare them to become the best leader they
can be so that they can change the world for the better(a better place to live in).. I must
say that this philosophy is fascinating and I want to try it/ sustain to be my philosophy
but if given a chance to revise to other philosophy, I want to change it to
EXISTENTIALISM philosophy.
 EXISTENTIALISM because according to the existentialists, they believe that every
individual is unique and education must cater to the individual differences. In this
philosophy’s objective in education is to enable every individual to develop his unique
qualities, to harness his potentialities and cultivate his individualities. Of course as a
future educator I want my student not only to learn how to rebuild./ reconstruct or
change the society for the better but also I want them to consider their individual
perception, their individual way of thinking and their individual self. I want to teach my
students how to harness their individual qualities and potentialities and I want them to
learn how to develop their unique qualities in order for them to grow and to be
responsible enough. In addition, according to the existentialist philosopher Jean- Paul
Satre that “ Existence Precedes Essence” ; there Satre explained that since “man is
nothing else but what he makes of himself” and since “ there is no human nature since
there is no God to conceive it”, existence must thus precedes essence. This means that
human beings, define, decide, form and determine themselves through their decisions,
actions, thoughts and choices whilst existing in the world, that is, human beings first
exist in the world and then determine and choose themselves. It’s not only for my future
students to develop their individual self but I also want them to know and learn that
each one of them is unique and purpose and that they exist to find that purpose and as
their teacher my role is to facilitate them, to encourage them and to guide them to
develop as they take the path of finding themselves, their essence, their purpose and
their definition. I want to teach them to be responsible in their own action, on what is
right and wrong, good or bad. To guide them to search for their meaning in this
meaningless universe and considering less “what is the good life?” ( to feel, be do,
good) instead of asking “what is life good for?”.
 JOHN LACETER U. ORATA BSED -ENGLISH 1A
ENTRY NO. 2
 At this juncture, I therefore conclude that my philosophy of teaching in the future if not
social reconstructionism, it would be existentialism because I want my student to be
responsible and independent. I will encourage them to not always depend on others but
depend on themselves because they are unique and that they have the freedom and
choice of defining themselves , that they find their own meaning, purpose and essence
as they exist.

Activity 1. Identify two of your teachers in the past whom you admire so much that you developed hero
worship, telling yourself that you would be life them in the future. Describe their specific teaching
behaviors during class discussion. What educational philosophy did they manifest? Were their class actions
helpful to learning by the students? Use the matrix below to plot your answers.

TEACHING BEHAVIORS EFFECT ON LEARNING PHILOSOPHY MANIFESTED

TEACHER 1: MARIA Ms. Ursua helps her student to SOCIAL

TERESA FE URSUA
- Ms. Teresa Ursua is my immersion
teacher when I was on Senior High
School. She taught social studies.
During our immersion activities she
engages us to volunteerism, joining
activities like tree planting,
symposiums and let us determine the in activities that will develop
social and environmental problems
in our Barangays.
be more collaborative and RECOSNTRUCTIONISM
knowledge able about their
culture, to interact to other
people and peers and the society
at large. She engages her
students to actively participate
their social awareness and give
them activities that will help
them to think of solutions on
those social problems. She
prepares them to be future
leaders that will change the
world for the best.

TEACHER 2: RODOLFO
ANCHETA
- Sir Ancheta is my
CAT(CITIZESHIP
ADVANCEMENT TRAINING)
teacher when I was Grade 10, he
taught us about patriotism, service
and he engages us to activities like
ground improvement inside and
outside the school. During class he
explains political issues and social
issues that is happening in and out
the country.
JOHN LACETER U. ORATA BSED -ENGLISH 1A
ENTRY NO. 2
Mr. Ancheta helps his students SOCIAL
to be socially prepare and helps RECONSTRUCTIONISM
them to learn and to be aware or
familiar about the events, social
and political issues. He also
enhance his students’ active
social service skills,
volunteerism and patriotism. He
also fill students’ mind with
advance knowledge of the
society they live in.

Activity 2. If you were to implement your educational philosophy to your class in the future, list at least 5 major teaching
activities to conduct. Explain their effects to the development of learning outcomes.
Teaching Activities/Behaviors Potential Effect on Learning and Learners

INDIVIDUAL QUIZ BEE!
~ in this activity I’ll require my students to provide a
white board and marker. This is an activity which is I
ask question about the lesson and I give them time to
write their answer on the white board and raise it
afterwards.
This teaching activity will engage the learners to think
critically and individually. It will help to harness and
develop their ability, potentiality and skills in critical
thinking. They will enjoy the activity and at the same
time cultivate their individualities.

BELL EXAM! This exam will test the learners critical thinking skills
~this is a type of exam in which a limited amount of in a short period of time. It will engage them to think
time is given and each station. I’ll put questions in and conceptualize faster.
every station for them to answer individually until
the bell will ring and they will proceed to the next
station until they answer all the questions in every
station.
 JOHN LACETER U. ORATA BSED -ENGLISH 1A
ENTRY NO. 2
AROUND THE FIRE OPEN FORUM!
~I will hold a field trip outside school atleast for one
day and one night. Around the fire place we will be
doing an open forum in which the students will
express their feelings and opinions about school and
their self.
YOUR CHOICE, IT’S AN ETHICAL
DILEMMA!
~I will ask them to form a group and give them an
activity which tackles about choices. For example I’ll
give them a situation where they will choose or how
will they deal with the certain situation. Will they do
the right thing or the wrong. I will facilitate their
group while they work. I’ll require them to deal with
the situation individually but they will report as a
group afterwards.
SHOW YOURSELF & LET IT GO!
~ I’ll ask one by one to showcase talent in front of
the class. If I see their potential, I will encourage the
to join contests and advice them to be free and show
themselves what they really made of.
The field trip itself is very beneficial to the learners as
it expose them to the outside world and they will be
relaxed after a frustrating days in school. They will
breath fresh air and they get close to nature so they can
think peacefully and find their meaning and purpose.
The open forum will help them to express what they
feel. It will allow them to discus their views openly
and freely. It will engage them to share their
experiences, choices in life and it will help them to
reflect on their past for them to develop and find their
true meaning and purpose,
This group activity will develop the students choices
and decision making skills. It will test the learners
ability to decide and deal with real life ethical
dilemma situations. It will test them if they know to
choose between right and wrong. Also this group
activity will develop not only their decision making
skills but their critical thinking as they brainstorming
as a group as well as collaboration and teamwork.
This activity will help the learners to develop their
potentialities, enhance their self-esteem and
confidence as well as their individual talents.It will
help them to be more engaging in any activities.
 JOHN LACETER U. ORATA BSED -ENGLISH 1A
ENTRY NO. 2

This is a test of how well you understood the concepts of Learner-centered teaching. Identify the
educational philosophy from which the following teacher behaviors belong. Write your answer on your
answer sheet.

1. Mr. Ravena places the highest priority on students directing their own learning.
>EXISTENTIALISM (LEARNER -CENTERED)

2. Science activities of Miss Rabang are based on real-world experiences.

>PROGRESSIVISM (LEARNER -CENTERED)

3. Mr. Quitaquit emphasizes to the class the importance of transferring knowledge, information, and
skills from the older (wiser) generation to the younger one.
>PERENNIALISM OR ESSENTIALISM (TEACHER -CENTERED)

4. Mrs. Taquiqui organizes her lessons around the concerns, curiosity, and real-world experiences of
students.
>PROGRESSIVISM (LEARNER -CENTERED)

5. Mr. Umoso uses lessons that both intellectually and emotionally stir students about the inequities
and injustice that surround them.
>SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTIONISM (LEARNER -CENTERED)

6. Mr. Raganit helps children find meaning and direction in their lives through the simulation
activities.
>EXISTENTIALISM (LEARNER -CENTERED)

7. Miss Somera’s lesson is flexible, built around experiences, interest and abilities.
>PROGRESSIVISM (LEARNER -CENTERED)

8. Miss Quimosing strives to teach students the accumulated knowledge of our civilization through
core courses in the traditional academic disciplines.
>ESSENTIALISM (TEACHER -CENTERED)

9. Education is a sorting mechanism, a way to identify and prepare the intellectually gifted for
leadership, while providing vocational for the rest of society.
> PERENNIALISM (TEACHER -CENTERED)

10. Mr. Ruma’s lessons are self-paced, self-directed and include a great deal individual contact with
the teacher by the students.
>EXISTENTIALISM (LEARNER -CENTERED)
 JOHN LACETER U. ORATA BSED -ENGLISH 1A
ENTRY NO. 2

You are now asked to summarize and reflect about what you learned and how you learned. Fill up the
information required in the Exit Ticket below. There is no right and wrong answer here, so be sincere about
your skills and feelings.
1.)

I am certain that I learned about the different philosophies under Teacher -centered and Learner -centered
teaching. The Teacher -centered philosophies include Essentialism and Perennialism which emphasizes the
importance of transferring knowledge, information, and skills from the older (wiser) generation to the younger one.
There are also (4) philosophies under Learner -centered:
 First is the Progressivism, it is a child -centered philosophy which ought to derive from learners’ interests rather
than from the academic disciplines.
 Second is the Constructivism, in this philosophy collaborative learning is encouraged and according to (Elkind)
that it provides opportunities for learners’ to construct understanding based on past and present experiences.
 Third is the Social Reconstructionism,,it is a philosophy that teaches students to exposed themselves to the society
they live in by community -based projects and for them to learn how to rebuild their society.
 Last but not the least is the Existentialism, it is a learner -centered philosophy which according to Satre that
“existence precedes essence” which means that man exists and they are the ones who find and search for their
purpose , essence and meaning.

I think I need to learn more about this course in order for me to fully understand its whole concept
because I know that as a future educator it will not only help me in constructing my own philosophy in
teaching but it will also help me to be an effective educator someday.

I could apply what I learned by keeping it in mind because it will prepare me in my teaching
profession to be an effective educator someday.

2.) What three aspects and features of the lesson did you find helpful in your study of these lesson?
> First aspect/feature of the lesson did I find helpful in my study of these lesson is the difference between a Learner -
Centered and Teacher -Centered Teaching and Learning Philosophies. Teacher -Centered teaching and learning is a
traditional approach where the teacher is the authority figure and students passively receive knowledge in short the
teacher’s roles is the transmitter of knowledge. In contrast Learner -Centered instruction, students and instructors
share the focus and group work is encouraged. Students learn to direct their own learning, ask questions and complete
tasks independently, and are more interested in learning activities when they can interact with one another and
participate actively, in short teachers serves as a facilitator rather than a transmitter of knowledge.
>Second the Philosophy of Education, the word “philosophy” derived from the Greek word “phileo” meaning (love)
and “sophia” meaning wisdom (love of wisdom). It is the search for truth through logical reasoning and is based on
human perception about principles of the universe. Teachers’ beliefs about teaching and learning are shape by the
philosophies they are strongly attached.
>Third is the different Philosophies under learner -centered (Progressivism, Social Reconstructionism, Constructivism
and Existentialism) and teacher -centered (Essentialism and Perennialism) teaching and learning.
~At this juncture, I therefore conclude that this aspects/features of the lesson helped me in my study of the topics. These
aspects helped me to better understand the philosophies of education.