Essentialism

Essentialism

1.Drawn upon
the idealism and
realism schools
of thought.

3.School should assist
students learn only the
basic factual information
(the essentials) for them
to adjust & compete in a
democratic society.

2.William C. Bagley
was regarded the
father of essentialist
educational
philosophy.

Purpose of Essentialist Education
Learn the essential
elements of education
1.Cultural & historical
heritage.
2. Appropriate
knowledges,skills,attitudes
& vales
Curriculum and Method of Essentialist
Education.
Elementary School Secondary School
Reading, writing,
mathematics

Concentrated study of
maths, science,
humanities, language and
literature

Mastery of basic facts and concepts of essential
disciplines as essential foundation for the general
education necessary to living a fulfilling life.
Role of Teacher and School of
Essentialist Education
Teacher School
- Similar to perennialist
philosophy
- Master of a particular
subject field
- A model worthy of
imitation
- Authority in areas of
knowledge

- Conserve and transmit
cultural and historical
heritage of traditional
disciplines.
- Students learn
knowledge, skill, attitudes
and values necessary to
make him a contributing
member of society.

Progressivism
Progressivism
- Related to pragmatist philosophy John Dewey
- Viewed school as a democratic society
- Students learn skills necessary to live in a
democracy
- View reality/world as constantly changing
- No need to focus upon a fixed body of
knowledge.

- Education should be life itself and not a preparation to
living.
- Learning should be directly related to the interests of
the child.
- Learning through problem solving should be more
important than learning subject matter.
- Teachers role is not to direct but to advise.
- School should encourage cooperation rather than
competition.


Purpose of
progressive
Education
1.Student learn a skills to
help them interact with a
constantly changing
environment
3. Learning process
focuses on
cooperative
behaviours and self-
discipline
2. Learn
problem-solving
skills
Curriculum and method of a
progressive education.
- >Built around personal and social experiences of
the students
-> Learners are capable of thinking and exploring
their own needs and interests
-> Interdisciplinary in nature
- Communication skills
- Mathematical processes
- Scientific inquiry

Roles of a teacher of a progressive
education.
- Guide students in their problem learning
activities.
- Help students define problems, locate data,
interpret and evaluate data, make conclusions.
- Patient, interdisciplinary, creative, intelligient
Role of the school of a progressive
education.
Viewed as a microcosm of the large society
School is a living learning laboratory
School is a working model of democracy