Handout: Philosophies of Education
(Ebert & Culyer, 2010) PERENNIALISM
➢ Main Idea: Enduring truths and universal
IDEALISM ideas are the foundation of education.
➢ Main Idea: The only true reality is that of ➢ Goal of Education: Develop reasoning
ideas; truths are eternal and through studying the Great Books and
unchanging. classics.
➢ Goal of Education: Develop the mind, ➢ Role of Teacher: Guide students in
moral values, and character. understanding timeless knowledge.
➢ Role of Teacher: A role model who ➢ Example: Reading works of Plato,
guides students to discover the truth. Aristotle, and Shakespeare in class.
➢ Example: Learning mathematics as
eternal truths (2+2=4 is always true). ESSENTIALISM
➢ Main Idea: There are essential skills and
REALISM knowledge that all students must learn.
➢ Main Idea: Reality exists independent of ➢ Goal of Education: Preserve culture
the mind; truth is found in the real world. through a core curriculum.
➢ Goal of Education: Understand the ➢ Role of Teacher: Authority figure who
world through logic, senses, and ensures mastery of basics (reading,
reasoning. math, science, history).
➢ Role of Teacher: Subject expert who ➢ Example: A “back-to-basics” curriculum
leads students in discovering facts with frequent testing and drills.
about the natural world.
➢ Example: Doing science experiments to PROGRESSIVISM
study nature. ➢ Main Idea: Education should be
child-centered and focus on positive
PRAGMATISM change.
➢ Main Idea: Knowledge is useful if it is ➢ Goal of Education: Prepare students for
effective; ideas must be tested through democratic living through meaningful
practical experience. experiences.
➢ Goal of Education: Teach ➢ Role of Teacher: Facilitator who
problem-solving and reflection. provides hands-on, experiential
➢ Role of Teacher: Facilitator who learning.
encourages students to learn by doing. ➢ Example: Group projects, role-playing
➢ Example: Students solving real-life elections, or real-world problem-solving.
problems, such as school waste
management. RECONSTRUCTIONISM
➢ Main Idea: Schools should solve social
EXISTENTIALISM problems and promote social justice.
➢ Main Idea: Focuses on individual ➢ Goal of Education: Create responsible
freedom, choice, and self-determination. citizens who can rebuild society.
➢ Goal of Education: Help learners find ➢ Role of Teacher: Change agent who
meaning and identity in life. raises awareness of social issues.
➢ The role of the teacher is to provide ➢ Example: Students creating advocacy
opportunities for self-expression and projects on poverty, inequality, or
personal growth. environmental issues.
➢ Example: Letting students choose their
own projects based on interests.
Prepared by: Jan Karl Operana
