UNIT 2: Foundations of

Curriculum
 INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
(I.L.O.)/OBJECTIVES
 1.) Discuss how the different foundations of
curriculum have shaped the current conceptions in
the curriculum.
 2.) Gather information on how a school develops
its curriculum to enrich teaching practice.
UNIT 2 LESSON A:
Philosophical Foundations of
Curriculum
 Educators, teachers, educational planners and policy
makers must have a philosophy or strong belief about
education and schooling and the kind of curriculum in
the teachers’ classrooms or learning environment.
Philosophy of the curriculum answers questions like:
What are schools for? What subjects are important?
How should students learn? What methods should be
used? What outcomes should be achieved? Why?
 A. PERENNIALISM by Plato, Aristotle or
Thomas Aquinas
 Aim: To educate the rational person; cultivate
intellect
 Role: Teachers assist students to think with reason
(critical thinking: HOTS)
 Focus: Classical subjects, literary analysis
Curriculum is enduring
 Trends: Use of great books (Bible, Koran,
Classics) and Liberal Arts
 B. ESSENTIALISM by William Bagley
(1874-1946)
 Aim: To promote intellectual growth of learners to
become competent
 Role: Teachers are sole authorities in the subject
area
 Focus: Essential skills of the 3Rs; essential
subjects
 Trends: Back to basics, Excellence in education,
cultural literacy
 C. PROGRESSIVISM by John Dewey
(1859-1952)
 Aim: Promote democratic social living
 Role: Teacher leads for growth and development of
lifelong learners
 Focus: Interdisciplinary subjects. Learner-centered.
Outcomes-based
 Trends: Equal opportunities for all, Contextualized
curriculum, Humanistic education
 D. RECONSTRUCTIONISM by Theodore
Brameld (1904-1987)
 Aim: To improve and reconstruct society.
Education for change
 Role: Teacher acts as agent of change and reforms
 Focus: Present and future educational landscape
D. RECONSTRUCTIONISM by Theodore
Brameld (1904-1987)
 Trends: School and curricular reform, Global
education, Collaboration and Convergence,
Standards and Competencies
 (The Teacher and the School Curriculum by Dr.
Purita P. Bilbao, Dr. Filomena T. Dayagbil, and
Dr. Brenda B. Corpuz, 2020)