Foundation of education
Reaction Paper # 1
From among the theories of development, what theory do you think best fit the Filipino learners
of today?
Module II Sociological Foundation of Educations
1. What are the major concerns that society has to cope with?
2. What are the determinants of social status? What is social mobility? Social stratification?
3. Why are groups important? What are their roles in the society?
4. Describe the relationship between the family and the school and the community.
Differentiate divine, social and cultural values.
Reaction Paper # 2
What are the prevailing social problems that you think should be addressed of? What measures
to be done to at least if not totally eradicate help to prevent these problems.
Module III Anthropological Foundations of Education
1. What makes man different from other forms of animals?
2. What is culture? How culture and society are related?
3. Discuss the importance of language and writing to humans.
Reaction Paper # 3
Do you think there is a need to re-examine the Filipino values? Why or why not?
Module IV Historical Foundations of Education
1. Trace the historical foundations of Philippine Educational System. What are the aims,
types and content of each era?
2. What are the movements in education? What were the contributions of the different
religious orders and what educational practices today that were gleaned from these.
Do you believe that government should control education?
Module V Philosophical Foundations of Education
1. What is philosophy? Discuss the educational implications of the different
philosophical theories.
2. What are the contributions of the different philosophies to the shaping of Philippine
education?
Reaction Paper # 5
Given the different philosophies of education, what do you think has the greatest impact on
Philippine Education?
Education is the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes. It is not only a preparation for life
but it is life itself. This is so because throughout man’s life, he learns many things, may it be
formally or informally. The components in the educative process are the learner, the teaching-
learning process, the teacher and the policy maker. The most important of these is the learner
who occupies the center stage in the educational system.
Foundation is a base upon which any structure or system stands. A strong foundation makes
the structure or a system firmly established and strong enough to be able to serve its purpose.
AMERICAN
Belief in the possible is perhaps another point of likeness that the Americans have, i.e. belief that
“anything is possible”. Slogans such as “Work hard and you will succeed”, 3 “Just do it”, “Anyone can
grow up to be president” and “What counts is not where you came from but what you do” are just some
examples of this belief. US schools are promoting this message throughout the country. What can these
slogans promote for the American people? Perhaps right attitudes and the belief that “The measure of a
person is his or her achievements”. • Belief in moral bases for right action is another point of likeness for
the Americans. When American educators discuss about the rights of individuals to an education, they
belief that people have a moral right to further their humanness (to be good people). The belief also will
guide the Americans in their individual and collective (group) conduct (behaviour). The slogan such as
“Just say no” to either sex or drugs indicates the influence of this belief. This is another social
phenomenon that influences education.
Significance of Philosophy of Education for Teachers The significance of the philosophy of education for
teachers can be discussed by looking at the goals of education, role of students, role of teachers and
teaching methods for various philosophies of education (Figure 6.3, p 151). We are going to look at four
philosophies of education as examples, i.e. the Existentialism, Pragmatism, Essentialism, and Social
Reconstructionism. • Pragmatism: The goal of education under this philosophy is “developing and
applying practical knowledge and skills for life in a progressive democratic society”. The role of students
is to show “active learning and participation”. Hence, teachers need to plan teaching and learning
activities that encourage students to actively participate in learning. The role of teachers is to “teach
inductive and deductive reasoning, scientific method, and the power of observation and practice”,
which can be achieved through the teaching methods of “hands-on curricula, group work, and
experimentation”. • Existentialism: The goal of education under this philosophy is “developing authentic
individuals who exercise freedom of choice and take responsibility for their actions”. The role of
students is to “develop independence, self-discipline, set challenges, and solve problems”. Teachers
should know this goal to decide what to teach, how to teach, how students learn and how to assess
learning outcomes. The role of teachers is to “encourage students to philosophize about life and to
recognize and fulfill personal freedom”, which can be done through the teaching methods of “discussion
and analysis, examination of choice-making in own and other’s live”. • Essentialism: The goal of
education under this philosophy is “acquisition of culture and cultural literacy for personal benefit”. The
role of students is to “receive knowledge and demonstrate minimum competencies”. The role of
teachers under this philosophy is to “deliver a standard curriculum”, which can be done through
teaching methods of “subject-centered direct instruction”. Teachers need to know this role in order to
plan teaching and learning activities that are subject-centered and can deliver the standard content
through direct instruction. An example of a subject with standard curriculum is history. A teacher can
prepare the content of a lesson and delivers the content through direct instruction. • Social
Reconstructionism: The goal of education under this philosophy is “solving social problems and create a
better world”. The role of students is to “inquire, apply critical thinking skills, and take action”. The role
of teachers under this philosophy is to “ask questions, present social issues and problem solving
challenges, and serve as organizer and information resource”, which can be done through the teaching
methods of “stimulating divergent thinking and group discussion”. Teachers should give emphasis on
social studies, social problems, global education, and environmental issues.
4.2 The Philosophy of Education
Philosophy of education, as we know, focuses on the values, beliefs and attitudes in relation to the
process of
growth of individuals and society. These values, beliefs and attitudes determine the direction of our
education,
particularly the aims, goals, objectives, contents, delivery and assessment of education. Now, we will
look some
educational philosophies which will help us to understand better the goals of education.
• Idealism: “Ideal” means “a conception of objects as something that are perfect, having noble
character,
visionary, and existing only in imagination”. Idealism views that education should focus on moral,
spiritual and
mental aspects of human being; and that the truth and values are absolute, timeless, and universal.
Education
should concern with ideas and concepts and their relationship, with the final outcomes of education are
the most
general and abstract subjects. Mathematics is important to develop abstract thinking; while history and
literature
are important to develop moral and culture.
• Realism: “Real” means “a conception of objects as something that are actual, existence, and authentic,
rather
than imaginary”. Realism views the world in terms of objects and matter; and everything is derived from
nature
and is subjected to its laws. Realism suggests that education should focus on objects and matter; and
views that
people can learn about the world through their senses and reasons. However, just like idealist, realist
views that
the ultimate goals of education are the most general and abstract subjects. Realist stresses that the
subjects such
as ethical, political and economics are important in life; while reading, writing and arithmetic are
necessary as
basic education.
• Pragmatism: “Pragmatic” means “a conception of objects as something that are real, and having
cause-effect
relationship and practical values”. Pragmatism views the world as not fixed, but constantly changing;
and views
knowledge as process and not as product. Education, therefore, should focus on experiencing the
process, for
example, learning occurs as pupil engages in problem solving. Knowing is an interaction between the
learner
and environment (both are undergoing constant changes). Teaching is not focused on “what to think”,
but on
“how to think critically”; and hence, it should be more exploratory than explanatory. The ultimate goal
of
education is for the learner to acquire the process of solving problems in an intelligent manner.
• Existentialism: “Existential” means “a conception of objects as actual being, existing, occurring,
appearing, or
emerging”. Existentialism views the world as subjective, depending upon one’s perception; and that
knowledge
is a personal choice. Education should focus on emotional, aesthetic and philosophical subjects; such as
literature, drama and arts. Learners are allowed to choose the subject(s) for their self-fulfillment.
Curriculum
should stress on self-expressive and experimentation activities that will create emotions, feelings and
insights.
The ultimate goal of education is to develop consciousness about freedom to choose, and the meaning
one’s
choices and responsibility in relation to these choices.
• Essentialism: “Essential” means “a conception of objects as something that are absolutely necessary,
indispensable, or vital”. Essentialism views that education should focus on the fundamental and
essential
subjects, such as the 3 R’s (reading, writing, arithmetic) as the fundamental subjects at primary school
level;
and five academic subjects at secondary school level (English, mathematics, science, history & foreign
language). Essentialism rejects the subjects such as arts, music, physical education, homemaking and
vocational
education. The ultimate goal of education is the acquisition of culture and mastery of essential skills,
facts,
concepts, and thinking skills.
• Progressivism: “Progressive” means “a conception of objects as something that are moving forward
toward
specific goal, further stage, or cumulative improvement”. Progressivism views that education should
promote
1
democratic society in which students could learn and practice the skills and tools necessary for
democratic
living; which include problem-solving methods and scientific inquiry; and learning experiences that
include
cooperative behaviors and self-discipline; which are important for democratic living. Since reality
constantly
keeps changing (similar to pragmatism), progressivism believes that there is little need to focus on fixed
body
of knowledge.
• Social Reconstructionism: “Social reconstruction” means “a conception that the social problems; such
as
poverty and lack of educational and employment opportunities; can be solved through education”.
Social
reconstructionism believes that “people are responsible for creating social conditions, whether they are
good or
bad”. It views that education should prepare people to create new good and just society and to bring
the havenots into a better society. Other than those who are fortunate helping out those who are
unfortunate, education
can play its role by prep
• As the society changes rapidly, the education should also change accordingly. For example, as most
mothers are now working, they have problems taking care of their young children. In response to this
change, the schools now have the provisions of taking children as young as four years old. Parents can
send their younger children to nurseries either at private place or at place of work. The idea of literacy is
no longer confined to reading and writing, but must be expanded to cultural, scientific, computer,
technological, electronic and research literacy. •
In the first Reading Note, according to functional paradigm, schools are theoretically supposed to be a
place that provides an equilibrium to all learners who will become conforming and functioning citizens
in the society. They are supposed to do their utmost in their study for merits and expertise with the
hope that they would be able to obtain a high position when it comes to occupational socializations.
However, schools, based on conflict paradigm, are not capable of serving all people equally. Controlled
by the elite groups, schools only regenerate and maintain the status-quo that makes people, especially
those who are at their disadvantage, to accept and adapt to the inconvenient truth. For example,
students in the class are taught to be good citizens by avoiding gender inequality, but the truth is in the
occupational world, women are still paid lower than men are despite equal working hours, which is
contradicting to what they have been taught at school.
Foundations of Education A personal educational
philosophy is an educator’s personal belief on education
and is the focal point for learning. When creating a
personal educational philosophy it is important to use
morals and values as a guideline to your belief of how
education should be taught. In interviewing five educators
with different levels of experience, there have been some
similarities and differences between each of their personal
education philosophies and that of my own. There are
many elements that go into the development of an
educator’s personal philosophy. Individuals that are looking
to form their philosophy can view the philosophy of other
educators and choose whether or not to include these
elements in their personal philosophy. Educators should
use their personal philosophy as a tool to develop their
teaching style in educating their students. Educators learn
from their students as well and often their personal
philosophy may change as they gain more classroom
experience. New inspiring educators may or may not
choose to revise their own educational philosophy once
they have had the opportunity to learn more about
becoming an educator. A personal philosophy is a mission
statement created by educators that showcases their
passion for educating other individuals. My personal
educational philosophy statement is, “As an Educator, my
mission is to fully educate my students to the best of my
ability. I plan to create a partnership with the parents and
the community where I teach to create a learning
environment which my students can excel in academic
excellence, artistic expression, and cultural awareness.
