Philosophical foundation

Question 1

Perennialism

Answer 1

• Aim: To educate the rational person;
cultivate intellect
• Role: Teachers assist students to think with a
reason
• Focus: Classical subjects, literary analysis,
Curriculum is enduring
• Trends: Use of great books (Bible, Koran,
Classics) and liberal arts

Question 2

Essentialism

Answer 2

• Aim: To promote intellectual growth of
learners to become competent
• Role: Teachers are the sole authorities in the subject area.
• Focus: Essentials skills of the 3R’s; essential
subjects
• Trends: Back to basics, Excellence in Education, cultural literacy

Question 3

Progressivism

Answer 3

• Aim: Promote democratic social living
• Role: Teacher leads for growth and
development of lifelong learners
• Focus: Interdisciplinary subjects. Learner-centered, Outcomes-based
• Trends: Equal opportunities to all,
Contextualized Curriculum, Humanistic education

Question 4

Reconstructionism

Answer 4

• Aim: To improve and reconstruct society.
Education for change.
• Role: Teachers acts as an agent for change and reforms
• Focus: Present and future educational landscape
• Trends: School and curricular reform, Global education, Collaboration and Convergence,
Standards and Competencies

Question 5

Franklin Bobbit (1876-1956)

Answer 5

• He started the curriculum development movement.
• Curriculum is a science that
emphasizes student’s needs.
• Curriculum prepares learners for adult life
• Objectives and activities should group together when tasks are clarified.

Question 6

Werret Charters (1875-1952)

Answer 6

• Like Bobbit, he posited that
curriculum is science and emphasizes students’ needs
• Objectives and activities should
match. Subject matter or content relates to objectives

Question 7

William Kilpatrick (1875-1952)

Answer 7

• Curricula are purposeful activities which are child-centered.
• The purpose of curriculum is child development and growth. He
introduced this project method where teacher and student plan the activities.
• Curriculum develops social relationships and small groups instruction.

Question 8

Harold Rugg (1886-1960)

Answer 8

• Curriculum should develop the whole child. It is child-centered.
• With the statement of objectives and related learning activities curriculum should produce outcomes.
• Emphasized social studies and
suggested that teacher plans
curriculum in advance.

Question 9

Hollis Caswell (1901-1989)

Answer 9

•Curriculum is organized around social function of themes, organized knowledge and learner interest.
•Curriculum instruction and learning are interrelated
•Curriculum is a set of experiences
•Curriculum is developed around social functions and learning interest.

Question 10

Ralph Tyler (1902-1994)

Answer 10

• Curriculum is a science and an
extension of school’s philosophy. It is based on student’s needs and interest.
• Curriculum is always related to
instruction. Subject matter is organized in terms of knowledge, skills, and values.
• The process is emphasized in problem solving. Curriculum aims to educate generalists and not specialists.

Question 11

Hilda Taba (1902-1967)

Answer 11

• She contributed to the theoretical
and pedagogical foundations,
concept development and critical
thinking in social studies
curriculum.
• She helped lay the foundation for
diverse student population.

Question 12

Peter Oliva

Answer 12

• He described curriculum
• Change is a cooperative endeavor.
• Teachers and curriculum specialist
constitute the profession core of
planners.
• Significant improvement is
achieved through group activity.

Question 13

Philosophical foundation

Answer 13

Educators, teachers, educational planners and policy makers must have a philosophy or strong belief about education and schooling and the kind of curriculum in the teacher’s classrooms or environment.