Armine Babayan

Uopeople
December, 2023
Unit 4 PORTFOLIO Assignment Question:

Did any of the various philosophies surprise you? Did I find any elements that ‘were
communicating to me even though at the beginning I did not think I would agree with the
philosophy?
Do I think any philosophies spark changes in educational practice or instructional models over
time?

Answers;

Changing careers can be scary especially when switching to a new field. As someone
transitioning to a teaching career, studying educational philosophies has been an enlightening
experience. Before embarking on this career path, I was unfamiliar with the subject, but now I
have gained knowledge on diverse philosophies, from student-centered philosophies such as
constructivism, progressivism, and humanism to teacher-centered ones like perennialism, and
essentialism. Teacher-centered philosophies stress imparting knowledge and skills in a
structured manner, while student-centered ones prioritize experimentation and students’ needs
and interests (Harrington and DeBruler,(2019).

After exploring deeply educational philosophies, I have come to realize that there are
variousnapproaches to teaching beyond the traditional model where the teacher talks and
students passively receive information. Growing up, this was the only type of learning I
experienced, so it was surprising to discover other philosophies of student-centered such as
progressivism and constructivism, which resonated with me. Progressivism places great
emphasis on providing a learning environment that offers a meaningful, hands-on experience for
students (Lynch,2016). This approach, known as experiential learning, encourages active and
collaborative participation between students and teachers. It goes beyond mere theory, requiring
students to apply their lessons to real-life situations. By doing so, students gain a deeper
understanding of the subject matter and develop skills such as critical thinking and creativity that
are highly valued in the modern workforce. The constructivist learning philosophy, on the other
hand, holds that learners should actively create and construct their knowledge and
understanding of the world around them (Ernest,1994). This involves
reflecting on their experiences and integrating new knowledge into their existing ones. This
approach allows for greater personalization and flexibility in the learning process, catering to
individual learners' needs, interests, and abilities. Studying these educational philosophies
impacted my perspective on teaching and learning. I now passionately believe that teaching is
not a one-size-fits-all approach and that every student's learning needs and abilities are
significant in the learning process. By embracing these philosophies, I will create a more
engaging and effective learning experience that supports students' growth and development.
Upon reflecting on my initial thoughts about teacher-centered philosophies, I realized that my
preconceived notions were based on my subjective experiences in traditional model education. I
assumed that all teacher-centered philosophies solely focus on controlling the learning process,
and the students passively listen to the information presented.

However, Bafter studying essentialism and others, I am surprised by how my perspective has
changed. I now appreciate the value of the essentialism philosophy, which emphasizes the
importance of learners acquiring foundation skills and knowledge before moving on to more
advanced topics and as well as its focus on discipline to maintain an orderly learning
environment (Sahin,2018). This realization has taught me the importance of keeping an open
mind and challenging my assumptions. As an aspiring teacher, one of my core belief centers
around promoting harmonious learning in the classroom by fostering collaboration and mutual
respect. The essentialism philosophy aligns with this belief, and I can draw upon its principles to
enhance my teaching practices.

After studying these educational philosophies, I would say they can spark changes in
educational practice. They focus on fundamental questions about education, such as the
purpose of education, how teaching and learning should be approached, and which values
should be emphasized in learning. These philosophies provided answers to these questions.

As someone changing careers to teaching without prior teaching experience, I believe that
examining these different educational philosophies and considering their suggestions in
educational practice will provide me with insights into diverse approaches to teaching and
learning. By doing so, I may be able to ignite changes in my educational practices.

In conclusion, my exploration into the world of educational philosophy has reinforced my belief
that philosophy plays a crucial role in shaping the educational system and the approach to
teaching. It has also made me aware of the need to constantly re-evaluate one’s own beliefs
and practices and to remain adaptable and flexible to provide the best education possible for
my learners.

REFERENCES:

Ernest, P. (1994). Varieties of constructivism: Their metaphors, epistemologies and pedagogical

implications. Hiroshima Journal of Mathematics Education, 2(2).
Harrington, C. & DeBruler, K. (2019, October 22). What Exactly IS Student-Centered Learning?
[Blog post]. https://michiganvirtual.org/blog/what-exactly-is-student-centeredlearning/
Lynch, M. (2016, November 03). Philosophies of education: 3 types of student-centered
philosophies.
TheEdvocate.http://www.theedadvocate.org/philosophies-education-3-typesstudent-centered-ph
ilosophies/
Sahin, M. (2018). Essentialism in Philosophy, Psychology, Education, Social and Scientific
Scopes. Online Submission, 22(2), 193-204.