Philo - Foundations of Curriculum

PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF CURRICULUM
Philosophy is the…
• starting point in any kind of decision making,
• Basis for all subsequent decisions regarding curriculum.
It helps to determine aims, selection and organization of the content implementation.
Philosophy provides educators, teachers and curriculum makers with framework for
planning, implementing and evaluating curriculum in schools. It helps in answering what
school are for, what subjects are important, how students should learn and what
materials and methods should be used.
Connection between Philosophy & Curriculum
o Philosophy reflected by a particular school and its officials influences the goals
and content, as well as the organization, of its curriculum.
o Usually, schools reflect several philosophies, which add to the dynamics of the
curriculum within the school/ school system.
o It helps answer general questions:
- What are schools for?

- What subjects are of value?
- How should students learn the content?
4 Educational Philosophy
1. Perennialism
- Perennialism is based on the belief that some ideas have lasted over
centuries and are as relevant today as when they were first conceived. These
ideas should be studied in schools. They believe that the ideas of history's
finest thinkers are meaningful even today.
Characteristics:
 The study of philosophy because it enables students to discover those

ideas that are most insightful and timeless in understanding the human
condition.
 Teaching of religious values or ethics.
 While teaching ability to differentiate between rights and wrong is
emphasized, so that students have definite rules that they must follow.
2. Essentialism
- It advocates instilling in students the It advocates instilling in students the

“basics” or "essentials" of academic knowledge & character development.
“basics” or "essentials" of academic knowledge & character development.
Characteristics:
 The ‘basics’ of the essentialist curriculum are mathematics, natural

science, history, foreign language & literature.
 Essentialists disapprove of vocational, life-adjustment, or other courses
with "watered down" academic content.
 - Elementary students receive instruction in skills such as writing,
reading & measurement. While learning art and music (creativity)
students are required to master a body of information & basic
techniques, gradually moving from less to more complex skills and
detailed knowledge..
3. Social Reconstructionism
- It argues that: students must be taught to study social problems & think of
ways to improve society, Schools become the agent of social change &
social reform
Characteristics:
 Its emphasis is on:

 social sciences; history, political science, economics, sociology,
religion, ethics, poetry, & philosophy, rather than pure sciences
 social & economic issues as well as social service
 making students to analyze, interpret & evaluate social problems,
 encouraging students to take action to bring about constructive change
 engaging students in critical analysis of the local, national &
international community issues; e.g.,
- poverty, - crime
- pollution, - unemployment,
- war, - political oppression & Hunger.
 The curriculum keeps on changing to meet the needs of changing
society.
4. Progressivism
- Education should allow learners to realize their interests and potential.

Learners should learn to work with others because learning in isolation
separates the mind from action. ‘Learning by doing’ is emphasized.
Characteristics:
 To expand the personal experience of learners, learning should be

related to present community life.
 Believing that people learn best from what they consider most relevant
to their lives, the curriculum focuses on the:
• Experiences’, ‘interests’, & ‘abilities of students’.
 Integration of several different subject areas rather than confining to
one discrete discipline at a time.
 exposing students to democratic values that recognize
accomplishments of all citizens regardless of:
- race,
- cultural background &
- Gender.

Philo - Foundations of Curriculum

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Philo - Foundations of Curriculum

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Philo - Foundations of Curriculum

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF CURRICULUM

- What are schools for?

 The study of philosophy because it enables students to discover those

- It advocates instilling in students the It advocates instilling in students the

 The ‘basics’ of the essentialist curriculum are mathematics, natural

 Its emphasis is on:

- Education should allow learners to realize their interests and potential.

 To expand the personal experience of learners, learning should be

You might also like