Chapter 3

    PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF CURRICULUM


                

• Philosophers are people who seek after wisdom and curious about the world seeking to understand the nature of things.
• Philosophers study the workers of other philosophers and state anew what others have put forward as well as proposing new philosophies.
• A philosopher can be a person who knows philosophy even through he or she engages in little or no philosophizing
• .Philosophy also refers to the collective works of other philosophers. It can mean the academic exploration of various questions raised by philosophers.

                         
PHILOSOPHY AND CURRICULUM

"Philosophy is the beginning point in curriculum decision making and is the basis for all subsequent decision regarding curriculum" John Goodland.
   
              

MAJOR PHILOSOPHIES

• Idealism
• Realism
• Pragmatism
• Existentialism

                             

IDEALISM

• Highest aim in the search for truth and values that will stand the best of time.
• Idealism is the group of philosophies which assert that reality, or reality as we can know it, is fundamentally mental, mentally constructed, or otherwise immaterial (Wikipedia).
• Truth and values are seen as absolute, timeless and universal.
• Idealists stress the importance of learning ideas and concepts.They believe in reasoning but question the use of scientific method and sense perception.Idealists believe in sharing ideas and great works that are universal,as well as long-lived.
• Idealists stress the importance of learning ideas and concept.

IDEALISM CURRICULUM

• Curriculum is hierarchical. Concept and abstract subjects are the top subjects. (Philosophy, theology)
• Promotes abstract thinking(Mathematics is considered important because it cultivates the power to deal with abstract thinking)
• Language subject is important.

                                

REALISM

• Realists believe that schools should promote human rationally through observation and experimentation.A lot of responsibility is placed on the teacher to have the right background and information. Realist teacher believe in the importance of experimental learning.Students have to take a hands-on approach.

                    

REALISM CURRICULUM

1. Logic and lessons that exercise the mind and that cultivate rational thought are stressed.
2. Three R's (Reading,Writing, Arithmatics)
3. Ethical,political,economics thought.
4. Organized separate subjects curriculum. For example, study of humankind experience becomes history subject.

                      

• Refereed to as experimental-ism, based on change, process, and relativity.
• Construes knowledge as a process in which reality is constantly changing.
• Nothing can be viewed intelligently except in relation to a pattern 
• Truth is  no longer absolute or universal.
• Pragmatism place their focus on the idea of change.This constant change results in people having to understand what it means to know.
• Believe that knowing represents an exchange between the leaner and the environment.

                     

PRAGMATISM CURRICULUM

• Views teaching as more exploratory than explanatory
• Considers teaching and learning as process of recon trusting experience according to scientific method
• Focuses on problems solving.

                           

                             

• Stress in individualism and personal self-fulfillment
• Prefer to free learner to choose what to study and determine what is truth.
• recognize few standards, customs or tradition.

                         

EXISTENTIALISM CURRICULUM

• Consists of experience and subjects that lend themselves to philosophical dialogue and acts of choice making, Literature , drama film making and art.
• Classroom would be  rich in materials.
• Stresses self-experience activities, experimentation, and methods and media.
• Focuses on learner's feelings,emotions, and insights.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES

                             

                                    

                               

                                

 PERENNIALISM

• Classic subject;Literature, language ,mathematics
• Constant curriculum (Unchanged)
• Common curriculum for all(Little room for electives and vocational)
• Students has no freedom to choose.

PERENNIALISM CURRICULUM

1. Paideia proposal
2. Liberal arts

                         

• Philosophical base; Realism and Idealism
• Aim : To promote intellectual growth and educate the competent person
• Knowledge: Essential skills, master to concepts and principles
• Role of teacher: Authority in the field.
• Teaching method: explicit teaching of traditional values. Tough discipline

ESSENTIALISM CURRICULUM

1. Essential skills(THREE R"s)
2. Essential subjects: English, Science,history,math, foreign language
3. Affected by the demand of the public to raise the academic standards and to improve students work and minds.
4. subjects that have contents are emphasized rather than process

• Back to basic curriculum
• Excellence in education
• Cultural literacy

                              

• Philosophical base : Pragmatism
• Aim: To provide democratic,social living
• Knowledge : Growth and development, living learning process, focus on active and relevent learning process, focus on active and relevant learning
• Role of teacher: To guide
• Teaching method: Problem solving and scientific inquiry.

PROGRESSIVISM CURRICULUM

1. Curriculum should be based on students interests.Should be applicable for human affairs (solving problem).
2. Interdisciplinary subject matter.
3. Focus on activities and projects.
4. Reality is changing therefore no need  to focus on fixed body of knowledge.
5. Process is more important than content.

• Relevant curriculum
• Humanistic education
• Radical school reform.

RECONSTRUCTIONISM

                                                                                            

        RECONSTRUCTIONISM CURRICULUM

• Emphasis on social sciences and social research methods
• Examination of social, economics and political problem
• Focus on present and future as well as local and global issues.

1. International education
2. Equality of educational opportunity.

ADVENTIST PHILOSOPHY

  

• Philosophical base: Theism
• Aim: Restoration of man to God's image.
• Knowledge: Bible values. To prepare responsible citizen for the world today and the world to come. Balance education-Spiritual,physical,mental,social(Wholistic Education)
• Role of teacher: Lead student for Christ
• Teaching method: Faith integration, practical, living by exampling(modeling)

ADVENTIST CURRICULUM

1. Curriculum focus: Salvation, Redemption
2. Subjects: Bible subjects in every program, health subject,vocational,work education,service learning,outreach.

CURRICULUM TRENDS

• Adventist curriculum trends?

1. Health message(vegetarianism)
2. Sanitarium
3. Academy (Boarding school)
4. Isolated schools.
5. Educational Excellence.
6. Integration of faith and learning.