Eight Philosophical Theories

There are eight theories of educational philosophies; these theories are: perennialism, essentialism, behaviorism, positivism, progressivism, reconstructionism, humanism, and constructivism.
Essentialism centers on the core of information, hard work and mental discipline, and teacher-centered instruction. The role of the student is to be the learner, with the teacher as the person to instruct the child on what he or she needs to know. There is a common core of information and skills that an educated person needs to have, and schools are to transmit this core of material.
Behaviorism states that behaviors are representative of a person's essence and all behaviors can be explained as responses to stimuli; behavior is determined by environment. Reinforcement, both positive and negative, are critical to this theory.
Positivism limits the truth and knowledge to what is observable and measurable. Direct instruction should be used by the teacher to teach specific content and this should be done in a variety of ways. Repetition of the ideas of instruction should be enforced by using different teaching strategies.
Progressivism is a philosophy that stresses that ideas should be tested by experimentation and learning is rooted in questions developed by the learner. Life experience determines curriculum and thus all types of content are allowed. This experience-centered curricula emphasizes the process of learning instead of the result.
The philosophy of humanism asserts that all people are born good and free but become enslaved by institutions. Education should be a process of developing free and self-actualizing individuals, centered on student's feelings. The curriculum is found more so in the subject matter which is taught rather than within the subject matter.
Constructivism stresses hands-on, activity-based teaching and learning in which students develop their own frames of thought. It focuses on problem-based learning, which centers student activities on tackling authentic contemporary problems.
Perennialism asserts that the curriculum should focus on the intellect by teaching the classic subjects. It is important to teach the everlasting ideas and seek constant, not changing, truths.
Recontructionism has its focus on society, as it asserts that the curriculum should be a method of change and social reform for society, and schools are the solution to various social crises. There's an emphasis on addressing the social questions and the goal is to create a better society and democracy around the world.

Overall, I would have to say that the one that speaks most truly to what I believe in is constructivism. I think that student-centered teaching and learning is crucial and problem-based learning is a good way to turn the learning over to the students on an individual basis, letting them answer and solve questions in their own personal ways. Students will be hands-on, involved in their own education, and the teacher encourages students to explore and find their own meanings, as opposed to lecturing and instilling a sense of what should be their meanings. I think it is important for students to join hands with the teacher and step up in making their educational experience about them personally.