Back to Basics: The Power of Essentialism
Braley Schreick
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What philosophy will you implement in your teaching practices?
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Readers should be able to describe the philosophy of essentialism.
Readers should be able to identify the core principles and methods of Essentialist education.
Readers should be able to describe how essentialism impacts classroom practices and student outcomes.
What is Essentialism?
Essentialism is an educational philosophy that places a strong emphasis on the value of fundamental information through traditional subjects such as math, science, English, and history, which is considered to be essential for students to acquire in order to succeed (CLRN Team, 2024). Essentialism originated in Ancient Greece where philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Ivan Illich emphasized the importance of education and suggested schools should prioritize teaching students the fundamentals over accommodating to their interests and needs (team, 2024). To this day essentialism remains the most dominant philosophy in the classroom (Essentialism in Educational Philosophy, 2024).
What are the core principles and methods of Essentialist education?
The core principles of Essentialist education revolve around the emphasis on core knowledge, gradation of knowledge, and authority and expertise (CLRN Team, 2024). Essentialism is characterized by a teacher-centered approach where the teacher is the primary authority figure in the classroom, and it is the sole responsibility of the teacher for imparting core knowledge and skills to the students with an emphasis on a structured and disciplined curriculum. Instructional strategies often include lectures, discussions, reading books, written and oral communication (Perez, 2022). To guarantee that students understand key ideas, teachers should present lessons that are organized and straightforward, with clear expectations and examples (Essentialism in Educational Philosophy, 2024).
How does essentialism impact classroom practices and student outcomes?
This educational philosophy provides students with a strong educational foundation and allows them to acquire the skills and knowledge they need (Essentialism in Educational Philosophy, 2024) which can contribute to higher academic achievement and preparedness for future education or careers. These core subjects are viewed as crucial for fostering academic excellence and equipping students to become active members of society (Essentialism in Educational Philosophy, 2024). Nonetheless, some critics argue that this philosophy has a narrow focus, a less diverse curriculum, and exclusion of certain topics or perspectives (CLRN Team, 2024). A study by Urrette, (2023) determined that out of 50 teachers with various educational philosophies suggested that on average teachers' educational philosophies are aligned and reflective with their teaching practices. Additionally, it was concluded that teachers with varied educational perspectives did not significantly differ in their methods of instruction (Joshua Urrete, 2023). According to Roberson & Woody (2012), they suggest a student-centered approach is a philosophy that can facilitate rich, meaningful, and substantial learning compared to the essentialist philosophy which is described as simplistic and shallow.
The focus of essentialism philosophy is on core knowledge and prioritizes teacher authority and a disciplined curriculum which seeks to prepare students for future education and career success. As stated by CLRN Team (2024) there are already examples of essentialism in education such as a core curriculum, national standards, and mandatory courses. However, a balanced approach between essentialism and a student-centered approach could possibly provide a more holistic educational experience.
2. In what ways can a teacher integrate essentialist principles to enhance student engagement in a diverse classroom?
A. Allowing students to design the curriculum.
B. Focus on memorization.
C. Maintain lecture-based approach.
D. Using a variety of instructional strategies while emphasizing core subjects.
Questions
What are the core principles of Essentialist education?
A. Emphasis on core knowledge, teacher authority, and structured curriculum.
B. Focuses on student interest.
C. Lessons include student input.
D. Student-centered approach.
How I used AI
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Reference
Essentialism in educational philosophy. Sparx Services: Paraprofessionals in New York. (2024). https://www.sparxservices.org/blog/essentialism-in-educational-philosophy
Essentialism in Education | PPT
Joshua Urrete. (2023). The Impact of Educational Philosophies on Teaching Practices: A Study on the Reflection of Different Philosophies in the Classroom. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, 5(5). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i05.7771
Manuel, P. (2016). Essentialism [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMIW3dzuPsQ
Perez, Dr. D. (2022, January 3). Chapter 8: Essentialism. Social Foundations of K12 Education. https://kstatelibraries.pressbooks.pub/dellaperezproject/chapter/chapter-7-essentialism/
Roberson, S., & Woody, C. (2012). Declaring Civil War on Essentialist Teaching. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 85(5), 207–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/00098655.2012.691567
team, C. (2024, December 16). What is essentialism in philosophy of education?. California Learning Resource Network. https://www.clrn.org/what-is-essentialism-in-philosophy-of-education/#google_vignette
Answers: Question 1. A Question 2. D
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