HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

I. HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS 

1. EARLY CONCEPTIONS OF EDUCATION 

   1.1. Education of Conformity/Primitive Education

Aims: To survive and to conform to the tribe they belong 
Contents: Practical and Theoretical Education 
Methods: Tell me and show me, trial and error, enculturation, indoctrination 
Proponents: Primitives 

1.2. Education for the Preservation of Social Stability/Oriental Education 

Aims: To impress traditional ideas and customs in order to maintain and perpetuate the long-established social order
 Contents: Moral and Theoretical Training
Methods: Imitation, memorization
 Proponents: Orientals (Chinese, Indians, Egyptians) 

1.3. Education for the Development of Individuality/Greek Education 

Aims: To promote Individual success and welfare through the harmonious development of the various aspects of the human personality 

Spartan: To develop a good soldier in each citizen 
Athenian: To perfect man (body and mind) for individual excellence needed for public usefulness

Contents: Spartan- Military and physical training 
                  Athenians- Liberal education 
Methods: Athenians -  Principle of Individuality
                Spartan- Competition, and rivalry 
Proponents: Greeks 

1.4. Education for Utilitarianism/Roman Education. 

Aim: To educate the Roman youth to realize national ideals 
Content: Physical training (martial arts, use of War, weapons) 
Methods: Elementary - memorization, imitation 
                Secondary - literary exercises, intensive drill 'on speech, grammar 
Proponents: Romans

2. MODERN CONCEPTIONS OF EDUCATION 

   2.1. Education for Rich, Full Life / Italian or Individualistic Humanism 

          Aim: To secure rich and full life for each individual through contact with the ancient 

          Contents: Grammar, Literature, and Mathematics 

          Methods: Text study, written themes, self-activity, and self-expression 

          Proponent: Vittorino da Feltre 

2.2. Northern or Social Humanism 

Aim: For social reform 

Contents: Classical and biblical literature (Religious) 

Methods: Individualized instruction, repetition, and mastery, motivation, use of praise and rewards

Proponent: Desiderius Erasmus 

2.3. Reformation 

Aim: Religious moralism

Content Physical education, Character education. Math, History, Science 

Methods: Memorization, religious indoctrination 

Proponent: Martin Luther 

2.4. Counter-Reformation 

Aim: To develop unquestioning obedience to the authority of the church 

Content: 4R’s (religion included) 

Methods: 

       » adapting the lesson to the abilities, needs, .and interests of children 

       * reviewing the previous lessons 

       ♦ repetition for mastery

       ♦ memorization with understanding 

       ♦ use of textbooks 

Proponents: Christian Brothers, Jansenists, Jesuits 

2.5. Education as Training of the Mind / Formal Discipline 

Aims: To train the mind through rigorous exercises in order to develop intellectual capacities to form character (mental, physical and moral) 

Contents: Classical Languages and Maths; Physical (vigor of the body) mental (mental power) and moral (good conduct) 

Methods: Formal- sensation, memory and reasoning, drill method 

Proponent John Locke 

2.6. Rationalism 

Aim: To enable men to think for themselves 

Contents: philosophical/scientific knowledge, ethics, and morality 

Methods: critical analysis, application of reason 

2.7. Education in Harmony with Nature / Naturalistic Conception of Education 

Aims: To develop the individual in accordance with the laws of human development and to preserve the natural goodness of man 

Contents: Holistic education (physical, moral, intellectual) 

Proponent: Jean Jacques Rousseau 

2.8. Education for Patriotic Citizenship / Nationalistic Conception 

Aim: To develop military preparedness and aggressiveness for the preservation and glorification of the State 

Content: Social Studies 

Methods: Practical 

2.9. Education as Psychological Development 

Aim: To direct and control growth and development through appropriate education procedures 

         JOHANN HEINRICH PESTALOZZI-Social regeneration of humanity 

         FRIEDRICH FROEBEL - Development of the child 

         JONATHAN HERBERT - Moral development

         EDWARD LEE THORNDIKE - realize the fullest satisfaction, of human wants 

Contents: Math, science, language, arts, history, literature 

Methods: Principles and Laws of Learning 

2.10. Education as a Scientifically Determined Process  

Aim: To mate education a science Content Science 

Methods: Experimental, problem-solving, scientific method, and research.

2.11. Education as Social Reconstruction / Social Experimentalism 

Aim: Prepare for a progressive rebuilding of the social order 

Content: Social Studies; 

Intellectual - a critical examination of the social conditions and social problems 

Civic - intelligent participation and cooperation in civic affairs 

Vocational - social relationships of one’s Job 

Methods: Guidance (including social guidance), intelligent and cooperative participation; Field Trips, Directed Classroom Study (community life)