SUBJECT CODE: EDUC 197

Subject Description: The Teaching Profession

DR. HONEY JANE F. SANTIAGO

Dean, College of Education

Declaration:
This learning module is an exclusive property of Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc., as an essential part of the
REIMAGINED Learning Program for the Academic Year 2020-2021, and shall only be used by and for
DYCIans. No part of this learning module shall be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, and/or sold, without
the consent of DYCI.
 Module No. 4
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION II

This module explains how philosophy of education is made significant in the planning,
designing, and implementation of principles in the teaching-learning process. This
module covers three (3) educational philosophies.

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. explain the three philosophies and draw their implications to teaching and learning;
2. formulate your own philosophy of education.

Our previous topic on Historical Perspective of the Philippine Educational

System focused on the significant changes and reforms in our educational system.
Changes have been made to ensure that quality education is provided to all school
stakeholders, especially the students.

There has been intense debate among teachers and school administrators on issues
about content (what to teach), methods (how to teach), and aims (why teach).
Clarification about the what, how, and why of teaching may help us decide how to
perform our tasks as educators.

This module will help you see the importance of philosophy of education as the
backbone and foundation of the question, “why teach?”. As Orteza (1999) clearly puts
it,
“ Philosophy of Education enables teachers to go about their
tasks informed and clear-headed. This is so by inquiring
philosophically into such questions as “What do you mean? How
do you know? What may we presuppose?” Answering these
questions in a satisfactory manner leads to a conceptual clarity
and understanding of educational problems before launching on
to a program of action. “

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 We have discussed so far four philosophies: Essentialism, Perennialism, Existentialism,
and Analytic Philosophy. Can you now easily tell their similarities and differences?
Which of those do you think best suits your perception of how teaching ought to be?
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Let us now discuss the remaining three philosophies of education: Progressivism,

Reconstructionism, and Pragmatism.

PROGRESSIVISM
Principal proponents: John Dewey, Francis Parker, William Kilpatrik, Boyde Bode

Basic Essence
It declares that education is always in the process of development and that its
essence rests on continual reconstruction and progression of experience.

Why Teach
Progressivist teachers emphasize living and learning in the NOW and not learning
as a preparation for future. It views Education as the intelligent reconstruction of
experience as with civilized living. They teach their students to be problem solvers.

What to Teach
Progressivists follow a need-based and relevant curriculum that responds to
student needs and that which relates to students’ personal lives and experiences.

How to Teach
Teachers employ experiential methods. They rely heavily on problem-solving
method. Students are encouraged to join field trips and actively interact with nature and
society. Teachers also stimulate students through thought-provoking games and puzzles.

RECONSTRUCTIONISM
Principal proponents: Paulo Freire, Theodore Brameld, George Counts, Harold Rugg

Basic Essence
The chief purpose of education is to reconstruct society in order to meet the
cultural crisis brought about by social, political, and economic problems.

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 Why Teach
Teachers promote creation of a new social order which fulfills the basic cultural
values to harmonize and adapt to changing social and economic forces.

What to Teach
Students are taught of the validity and urgency of a reconstructionist solution.
Reconstructionists favor curricula that emphasize creating a world of economic
abundance, equality, fairness, and democratic decision making. They see this social
reconstruction as necessary for the survival of humankind.

How to Teach
The school program should teach learners to analyze all aspects of life and to
question rather than accept the pronouncements of those who hold political power.
Methods include debates on social issues and community-based learning.

PRAGMATISM
Proponents: John Dewey, Francis Bacon, William James

Basic Essence
It views education as a social institution which centers on distinct and concrete
experience. It argues that what is observed or experienced is the only true reality. It
follows the pragmatic idea, “truth is what works” and “thought must produce action”.

Why Teach
Learning is marked out by indeterminate situation leading to identifying and
solving a problem. It aims to provide meaningful experiences related to the things learned
in school.

What to Teach
The curriculum is focused on the subject matter of social experience. Content
includes real-life situations, personal and social experiences of the learner, and social
heritage.

How to Teach
Methods include project-making, research, , laboratory work, field trips, and other
experimental methods

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 Given these philosophies of education, we now look into some of the issues in
education and in teaching .I invite you to focus your attention to each issue and share
your philosophical position .

1. Inclusion of religious practices in school

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2. Some schools operate on the assumption that the primary purpose of education is to
help learners achieve a well-adjusted or satisfying life.
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3. Arguments about the content of the curriculum are often heated. These debates are
frequently stem from different philosophical views about the nature of knowledge,
and they reflect a diversity of opinion about what should be central to the school
instructional program. Some people believe the curriculum should feature the so-
called classics of Western thought. Others favor a school program dedicated to
developing learners’ sophisticated thinking skills. Others support school program with
heavy emphasis on preparing learners for the world of work.
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4. Education should be concerned that learners develop a solid grounding in logical

thinking.
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 Of these three philosophies, which do you think best suits your own regard on how
teaching should and ought to be? Why?
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Please watch the video on Philosophies of Education

In a nutshell, philosophy of education provides us a kind of foundation we

need to be clear about how we ought to perform our tasks as educators. It invites us to
review our answers to the questions “why teach?” , “what to teach?”, and “how to
teach?”.

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 Let us have here some examples on how we can make our classrooms a
progressivist classroom, a reconstructionist classroom, and a pragmatist classroom.

PROGRESSIVISM
In a Computer class, students are asked to analyze how computer programs are
created with reference to their preferred program, example, a gaming program of their
choice. Students are making progress and experience personal joy in their own learning
given that the material of the subject material is of interest to them.

RECONSTRUCTIONISM
In a Social Studies class, topic on American colonization centers on the
implications of the period to the present time, with focus question “how may we create a
relevant program which suggest “democracy as a way of life”.

PRAGMATISM
In a Biology class, students are required to go outside of the classroom and
perform experiments with nature. The teacher emphasizes learning by doing and through
discovery.

You may write your own example here using any topic in your area of
specialization. Choose only one philosophy.
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 Name: _____________________________________________ Rating: ________________
Year and Section:_____________ Professor / Instructor:__________________________
Due of Submission: _____________________________

Week No. 4
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION II

1. Research on the Vision and Mission statement of the Department of Education.

Which philosophies of education are reflected in the statement?

2. The K-12 Basic Education Curriculum envisions a Grade 12 graduate who is:
Holistically developed
Possesses 21st century skills
Ready for:
Employment
Entrepreneurship
Middle level skills development
Higher education

On which philosophies of education is the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum

anchored?

3. Formulate your personal philosophy of education.

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 Bauzon, P. (2012). Handbook in Legal Bases of Education.2 nd Ed. Mandaluyong:
National Bookstore, Inc.

Bilbao, P. et.al. (2012). The Teaching Profession. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing Co.,
Inc.

Orteza, E. (1999). Philosophy of Education: A Collection of Essays. Manila:

Rex Bookstore, Inc.

Salandanan, G. (2012). Teaching and the Teacher. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing.