Theories of Education: Perennialism

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This page is for the perennialism wiki work group. Please post and organize information about your theory of education and how you have seen
examples of this theory in action in your classroom field experiences on this page. It is important that you post your first and last name at the
beginning of each post. It is also important that you take time to organize the information on this page in a cohesive, reader-friendly
manner before the project's due date. Please also remember that content posted should be accurate and grammatically correct. I look forward
to learning about your understandings and connections to this theory of education.

PERENNIALISM:

Perennialists believe that the focus of education should be the ideas that have lasted over centuries. They believe the ideas are as relevant and
meaningful today as when they were written. They recommend that students learn from reading and analyzing the works by history's finest
thinkers and writers. Essentialists believe that when students study these works and ideas, they will appreciate learning. Similar top perennialism,
essentialism aims to develop students' intellectual and moral qualities. Perennialist classrooms are also centered on teachers in order to
accomplish these goals. The teachers are not concerned about the students' interests or experiences. They use tried and true teaching methods and
techniques that are believed to be most beneficial to disciplining students' minds. The perennialist curriculum is universal and is based on their
view that all human beings possess the same essential nature. Perennialists think it is important that individuals think deeply, analytically,
flexibly, and imaginatively. They emphasize that students should not be taught information that may soon be outdated or found to be incorrect.
Perennialists disapprove of teachers requiring students to absorb massive amounts of disconnected information. They recommend that schools
spend more time teaching about concepts and explaining they are meaningful to students. The only example I can think of would be a class about
religion or history. The instructor would use religious books and historical documents.
Foundations of Educations Online

http://www.siue.edu/~ptheodo/foundations/perennialism.html
Robin James

Educational Focus of PERENNIALSIM:

"The educational focus of Perennialism is on the need to return to the past, namely, to the universal truths and absolutely
reason and faith (Foundations of American Education Sixth Edition Pg. 70)." Perennialist believe that God and education
goes together hand in hand, and that education prepeares a person for life. They also believe that schooling may come to an
end but a person will never stop learing throughout their life time. The Theory of Perennialism also believe that the
environment plays a big role in teaching someone. A person learns by experience. The Philosophies of idealism, realism, and
neo-thomism are embedded in this theory. They believe that having a relationship to a spiritual being is necessary for
understanding the cosmos or universe. -Brett Morley, Andrew Tillman

-Andrew Tillman

"Eternal or perennial truths, permanence, order, certainity, rationality, and logic constitute the ideal
for perennialism (Foundations of American Education Sixth Edition Pg. 70)." Perennialism is a combination of idealism,
realism, and neo-thomism. This theory of education uses ideas from Plato, Aristotle, and Thomas Aquinas. "Perennialism has
widespread support from lay educators (Foundations of American Education Sixth Edition Pg. 70)."
-Austin Gantt

-Kaity DeHaven

I got the following from- www.school-for-champions.com/education/philosophies.htm - There are five philosophies of

education PerennialismThis is a very conservative and inflexible philosophy of education. It is based on views that reeality
comes from fundamentals fixed truth-especially related to God. Its believes that people find truth through reasoning and
revelation and that goodness is found in rational thinking. I think this we should get taught this a little in school because we
need to know fact and the truth about things.

This shows the 4 of of 5 philosophies.

Perennialism

Rooted in realism

3Rs, moral and religious training; Greek, Latin, grammar, logic and geometry; the liberal arts.

Expounds the past and teaches universally agreed upon knowledge and cherished values of society.

Teacher is a master of subjects and guides discussion.

Common curriculum for all students; student interests are irrelevant.

Essentialism

Rooted in idealism and realism

Curriculum should be geared to the fundamentals or essentials.

3Rs at elementary level; 5 core subjects at high school.

Not rooted in the past; concerned with contemporary scene.

Rejects electives for their costs.

Parallels today's secondary schools with academics and cognitive skills + computers.

Progressivism

Rooted in pragmatism

Reform social and political order in society (early 20th century).

How to think; not what to think.

Teach problem solving, inquiry, cooperation and self-discipline.

Teach through activities, experiments, problem solving, projects and thematic approaches.

Reconstructionism Rooted in existentialism Emphasizes society-centered education; appropriate for a society in

crisis - some believe our society and international society today. Curriculum emphasizes cultural pluralism, equality,
and futurism. Look at global issues and the larger social order. Study empirical analysis and scientific approaches
plus social, political and economic ideology.

-Bethany Henderson

Perennialists as Teachers:
Perennialists teach principles rather than facts. They believe that whatever is taught should be used throughout your life.
Instead of just being taught something ridiculous and never using it, they believe that teaching something worthwhile and
meaningful are the best for growth. This link defines perennialists and gives a little bit more information on what they believe. "Since people are
human, one should teach first about humans, not machines or techniques. Since people are people first, and workers second if
at all, one should teach liberal topics first, not vocational topics"
This came from this site here.

This guy, does not actually give an actual definition of Perennialism, but opens up our minds to it a little bit more.

-Abbie Weick

Thomas Aquinas, R. Hutchins, M. Adler

Emphasis on a traditional education

Some ideas are perennial (timeless) and should be taught to all

Emphasis on general, liberal humanities education to shape rational mind

Studies should include great thinkers of the past

Prepare student for adult life

Teacher centered curriculum

(This picture and information came

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Kaity DeHaven:

Purpose of Schooling:

The purpose of schooling is basically to connect with God, and preparation for life and that it is a life long process.

They also like to teach the eternal truths,cultivate the rational intellect, and develop a spiritual nature for one self.

The Highest goal of education is union with God

(page 70 and 71 In the Foundations of American Education 6th Edition)

Elizabeth Johnson, Brett Morley

The Nature of the Learner

Believes all students are rational beings for examples of value and worth.

Students have been gifted with an intellect and a soul.

(page 70 and 71 In the Foundations of American Education 6th Edition)

Elizabeth Johnson

Shows some values a person can have, i got this

image from http://www.balamurali-management.blogspot.com/ BY Elizabeth Johnson

Curriculum:

Most perennialists stress a strong liberal arts curriculum that includes subjects as philosophy, mathematics, history, geography,
political science, sociology, theology, languages, and literature, physical and life sciences, and the fine arts and humanities. If these
subjects are highly studied and mastered then you completed necessary training for a well developed intellect. A combination of all
these subjects construct a well rounded curriculum.

The Great Books are what perennialists mean when they talk about literature.

By Justin Caddell, Brett Morley (In the Foundations of American Education 6th Edition)