Educational Philosophies

We each possess philosophies of education, regardless of whether we acknowledge their existence. Major life philosophies include idealism, realism, pragmatism, and existentialism. Each worldview affects how teaching and learning are interpreted. Over time, however, specific educational philosophies, such as perennialism, essentialism, progressivism, and reconstructionism, have evolved. Each philosophy supports or undermines the prevailing notion of curriculum.

As educators determine whether learning is successful through appropriate measures and standards, they must also explore their beliefs about how students learn best. It is important for you to plan well to ensure successful learning in your school.

This resource provides instruction for users to:

• Analyze ways that curriculum influences educational outcomes
• Summarize curriculum trends in four different educational philosophies
• Describe major contributions of several educational philosophers