Good Day Class!

For your activity this evening, please search and read the Philosophical, Psychological,
Social and Historical Foundations of Curriculum and do the following activities below:

1. Compare and Contrast the Philosophical beliefs of perennialism, essentialism, progressivism and
reconstructionism.

perennialism - focuses on the teaching of great works.

- Here the focus in curriculum is classical subjects’ literary analysis and considered curriculum as
constant. The curriculum must emphasize enduring, long lasting, skills, values and knowledge.

essentialism – It has free will, free choice and the expression of one’s own feelings are all important
aspects of existentialism.
- Here the essential skills of the 3 R’S and essential subjects of English, Science, History,
Mathematics and Foreign language is the focus of the curriculum.

progressivism - Progressivism being the philosophy that says ideas should be tested to find their truths.
This philosophy also says the value of questions from students are very important because it leads to
learning. Progressivism involves both cross discipline learning and problem solving in its instruction. It
states that learning occurs best when students are involved and experiencing ideas for themselves.
- The curriculum is focused on students’ interest human problems and affairs. The subjects are
interdisciplinary, integrative and interactive.

reconstructionism – Here the focus of the curriculum is on present and future trends and issues of
national and international interest.

2. Explain the influence of the four educational philosophies on curriculum.

Educational philosophy lays a strong foundation of any curriculum in that a curriculum specialist,
implementer of evaluator anchors their decision making process on a sound philosophy.

Philosophy has philosophical schools of thoughts such as naturalism which is the basis of the
curriculum, idealism which on the nature of the learner and recommends the learning activity of the
learner and the positive influence of the teacher, realism which is important in forming curriculum
that stresses the acquisitions of information about culture and pragmatism which recommends the
change of knowledge because it is not permanent

3. Identify the application of behaviorist, cognitivist, constructivist and humanist principles in the
classroom

 Behaviorists Psychology - consider that learning should be organized in order that

students can experience success in the process of mastering the subject matter,
 and thus, method of teaching should be introduced in a step by step manner with
proper sequencing of task.

- Considers that learning should be organized in order for the students to experiences success in
the subject matter hence method of teaching step by step with proper sequencing of task.

 Cognitive Psychology - focus their attention on how individuals process information

and how the monitor and manage thinking. For the cognitive theorists, learning
constitutes a logical method for organizing and interpreting learning. Learning is
rooted in the tradition of subject matter where teachers use a lot of problem and
thinking skills in teaching learning. These are exemplified by practices like
reflective thinking, creative thinking, intuitive thinking, discovery learning, etc.

- Focus their attention on how individuals process information and how to monitor and manage
thinking. Here learning constitutes a logical method for organizing and interpreting learning.
Learning in this group is rooted in the tradition of subject matter where teachers use a lot of
problem and thinking skills in teaching and learning. These are exemplified by practices like
reflective thinking, creative thinking, intuitive thinking, discovery learning among others.

 Humanistic Psychology - concerned with how learners can develop their human
potential. Based on Gestalt psychology where learning can be explained in terms of
the wholeness of the problem and where the environment is changing and the
learner is continuously reorganizing his/her perceptions. Curriculum is concerned
with the process not the products, personal needs not subject matter; psychological
meaning and environmental situations.

- Concerned with how learners can develop their human potential based on Gestalt psychology
where learning can be explained in term if the wholeness of the problem and where the
environment is changing making the learner continuously recognized his/her perceptions.

 Constructivist Psychology –   It is the learner who interacts with his or her environment and
thus gains an understanding of its features and characteristics. The learner constructs his
own conceptualizations and finds his own solutions to problems, mastering autonomy and
independence

3. State your values and beliefs about the nature of learning

Our values are important because they help us to grow and develop. They help us to create the
future we want to experience.
A philosophy that accurately reflects the beliefs and values of the curriculum developer can accomplish
the following

• Provide the intent and purpose of existence of the program.

• Define the roles of the persons directly associated with the program and school.

• Clarify the objectives of the program.

• Clarify the learning activities in the program.
• Direct the selection of the learning strategies and tactic to be used in the classroom.

Philosophical beliefs and attitudes are important before attempting to work with other curriculum
planners, instructors and administrators. Common values that overlap individual beliefs form most
fertile ground for curricular collaboration and development of successful projects and programs (Wiles
and Bondi 1993 p. 40). The clarification of purpose involves identifying a philosophy, such as,
perennialism, idealism, realism, experimentalism, existentialism etc.

Philosophy provides a logical vigor, envisaging transcendence and disciplined imagination which helps in
the formulation of educational objectives. It also contributes a great deal to education in that it makes
one being critical and have self-conscious reflection of the realities which education wants to display
which plays a key role in building educational objectives.

Philosophy assists the educators in formulating beliefs, arguments and assumptions and in making value
judgments. It also promotes advanced and interdisciplinary studies which provide a forum for creation
accumulation and utilization of knowledge. Philosophy develops a broad outlook flexible adaptability
and creativity and a rousing desire for self-enlightenment and study hence getting the required abilities
for doing research and development.

5. Explain how history and society influenced curriculum

Philosophy helps us to handle our own personal system of beliefs and values, that is, the way and
manner that we perceive the world around us and how we actually define what is important to us.

History
            The historical foundations only suggest that the curricula implemented are dynamic. It is
changing over time and it also reflects how man has thought about more humane approach to
educate learners. Moreover, history also shows how curriculum adapts to the time when it is
implemented: how its purpose, principles and content change over time. The learners don’t
adjust; it’s the curricula because of the needs of the learners. For example, 30 years ago there
were no computer subjects, now there is a need to teach those because of the rampant use of
technology for almost all the industries. There’s a quote by anonymous, “Don’t left behind.”
            Society
            Just like how language use reflects the society, curriculum also does. The development of
the curriculum is highly based on the people who will use it. Basically, the society and its culture
affect the curriculum itself. According to Albert Einstein, “All that is valuable in human society
depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.” Therefore, the
curriculum is carved through the needs of the society. There will be always change in the society
and the curriculum must cope with it. It must go with the flow but it must maintain its values.