Learning Theory:Essentialism

Ashley Bernstein

People Associated with Essentialism:

William Bagley: popularized the term essentialism in the 1930s

E.D. Hirsh Jr.: advocates for a more inclusive curriculum that offers all students a shared knowledge and a common curriculum

Allan Bloom: author of The Closing of the American MInd

E.D. Hirch Jr.

Essentialism Basics

Teacher centered Philosophy

Traditional disciplines such as math, science, history, foreign language, and literature form the foundations of the curriculum

Classrooms are oriented around the teacher, who serve as an intellectual and moral role model for the students

Expect that students will leave school possessing not only basic skills and an extensive body of knowledge, but also disciplined, practical minds, capable of applying schoolhouse lessons in the real world

Essentialism Continued...

The philosophy has been around and a dominant approach to education in America from the beginning of American history.

Conservative philosophy that accepts the social, political, and economic structure of the American society.

Students should become model citizens and teachers should instill traditional American virtues such as respect for authority, perseverance, consideration for others, and practicality.

Teacher’s Using Essentialism Theory

With Technology:

Teachers can teach students from internet resources. For example if learning about weather, the teacher could look up internet websites that show examples of the lesson for the day.

Without Technology:

Without technology teachers could verbally teach the students. They could also give worksheets and have hands on projects that require group work.

My Classroom

I think essentialism is a large part of a students education. Especially since there are standardized tests such as the FCAT in Florida. Teachers sometimes need to teach to the test since that can determine if a student passes or fails a grade. Students need to learn the basics academic knowledge, skills, and character development to succeed in school and in society. Other learning theories also need to be incorporated to the classroom as well.

Credits

http://eburke87.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/technology-in-the-classroom.jpg

http://www.online-college-and-university.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/college_students1.jpg

http://uvamagazine.org/images/uploads/2010/summer/arts_hirsch.jpg

http://mynameisgeorge.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/blackboard-equations-istock_000003015755xsmall.jpg

http://www.siue.edu/~ptheodo/foundations/essentialism.html

http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP3.html