Educational Philosophies.pdf

1. Perennialism: Focuses on teaching great ideas of Western civilization, emphasizing enduring truths and cultural literacy. Key proponents: Robert Maynard Hutchins and Mortimer Adler.
2. Essentialism: Emphasizes transmission of common core knowledge, intellectual and moral standards, and practical preparation for society. Key proponents: William Bagley, James D. Koerner, and Theodore Sizer.
3. Progressivism: Focuses on the whole child, active experimentation, and individual experience. Emphasizes process over content, with students as problem-solvers and thinkers. Key proponent: John Dewey.
4. Reconstructionism/Critical Theory: Aims to create a better society through social reform, critical consciousness, and dialogue. Key proponents: Theodore Brameld, George Counts, and Paulo Freire.
5. Eclecticism: Draws upon multiple theories and ideas to gain complementary insights, often combining different approaches in various cases.
6. Existentialism: Emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and responsibility, with a focus on personal growth and self-directed learning. Key proponents: Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Jean-Paul Sartre.

Key differences:

Perennialism and Essentialism focus on content and traditional knowledge, while Progressivism and Reconstructionism emphasize process and individual experience.
Eclecticism combines multiple approaches, while Existentialism emphasizes individual freedom and choice.
* Reconstructionism and Critical Theory focus on social reform and critical consciousness, while the other philosophies focus on individual growth and development.