Philosophic Inventory for

Jennifer Ellis
EDU 201/Fall 2018
CSN
September 23,2018
 SCORE

Reconstructionism Essentialism
18% 12%
Behaviorism
12% Essentialism
Perennialism Behaviorism
18%
Progressivism
Progressivism
18% Existentialism

Existentialism Perennialism
22% Reconstructionism
“A teacher with an existentialist philosophy makes paths available for students to
discover their own values and decisions. The learners need to be made aware of
as many options and choices as possible. They need to feel the empowerment
and freedom to decide their own values and identities. The teacher’s primary
responsibility is to provide all this, and to maintain a learning environment where
students feel encouraged to express themselves through discussion, creative
projects, and choice of study areas.”

Ginny. “Existentialism: Roles of Teacher and Learner.” Constructivist and

Existentialist Education, 14 Mar. 2012,
constructivismandexistentialism.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/existentialism-roles-
of-teacher-and-learner/.
This week I learned that I am an existentialist, which confirmed what educational
philosophy I felt I possessed. Existenialism believes that leaners learn through
discussion, creative projects, and choice of study areas. The learners are the center
of teaching and teachers are there to guide and encourage them. I agree with this
as I have always been curious. When I was younger, I wanted to discover how
things worked on my own. I loved crafts and designing. My weakest educational
philosophy was a tie between essentialism and behaviorism. Essentialiem believes
that students need to be taught on a traditional path. Lessons aren’t adapted to the
learner. Behaviorism is basically bribing the students. They receive a reward for a
job well done. This may work on younger students, but as they grow older and stop
being rewarded, their motivation may decrease. I hope to teach my future students
in a way that best fits each of them. I would love to teach though song, arts, hands
on projects and visualizations. I want learning to be fun and for them to not realize
they are learning. I want to teach kindergarten, I feel like my philosophy is perfect
for that grade. Children are young and just learning, so we can use different
measures to get them where they need to be. I don’t feel my philosophy aligns with
the direction CCSD takes towards instruction. I’m going to have to figure that out
once it comes time to start teaching my own class.