Running head: PHILOSOPHY 1

Philosophy of Education

Emalee A. Freelen

Paris Junior College

EDUC 1301.200

Dr. Marian Ellis, Instructor

February 25, 2019

PHILOSOPHY 2

Philosophy of Education

Whenever I was in school, I often learned by doing. I also noticed that many of my peers

learned by doing, as well. In many classes, teachers will often throw a book at a student and

expect them to learn and remember everything they read. Most of the time, that is not what

happens. A student will forget what they read, if they even read it at all. I think a teacher should

guide his or her students into an activity that the students will all be involved in. One will have to

meet the needs of the students so they will retain the knowledge. The curriculum needs to fit the

needs of all of the students, since every student is so different. Assessments need to need have a

variety to them as well since every student learns in a different way.

Progressivism, constructivism, social reconstructionism, behaviorism, and existentialism

are all student-centered philosophies. On the other hand, essentialism and perennialism are

teacher-centered philosophies. In my opinion, I think student-centered philosophies are the way

to go. Although I think that they are the way to go, they do have some flaws. Progressivism, my

favorite, is all about learning by doing. It is my favorite because you learn from experience.

Doing things outside of school like riding a bike or learning how to walk, you have to physically

learn how to do those things; like you would physically go to the zoo on a class trip and learn

about the animals, instead of reading about them. Progressivism has its flaws, as their is an

emphasis on natural sciences and social studies, so there is not much math and reading taking

place, which I think is a big part of a students life. Multiculturalism is important, too, because

teachers need to know that all students from around the world are different in so many ways.

Social reconstructionism is great, but I think a big part of that can be taught at home or

through extracurricular activities. I think that existentialism is a disaster waiting to happen. The
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thought of a student only learning about what he or she wants to learn about and not learning at

least a little bit of everything is terrifying. A student could benefit on learning what they want to

when they get home and on their own time, not at school. Constructivism is the idea that one will

build information on top of other information. It is great, because it is centered around the

learner, but that could lead to some complications. Behaviorism is great as well, as it rewards the

students for desired behavior, but there are many flaws that come with that.

Essentialism is my favorite out of the teacher-centered, but it is also not the way to go.

Constantly bombarding students with academically rigorous material will not benefit them.

Perennialism, in my opinion, is the worst way to go. There is zero diversity, it’s philosophically

oriented, and it only pertains to the Great Books.

The majority of students will not learn by reading books with information they will

probably not even understand. For a student to pass a test, a teacher must realize that they have to

be realistic in their teaching. They need to incorporate hands-on activities, but also let kids read

some information out of the textbook as well. There has to be a balance and I think that

something can be pulled from each of these philosophies, and used in moderation.