PROGRESSIVISM

PROGRESSIVISM
Nature & Background:

Definition:
Progressivism is an educational philosophy that emerged in the late 19 th and early
20th centuries in the United States and was developed by John Dewey’s pedagogic theory
that is being based on Pragmatism. It emphasizes the importance of student-centered
learning, experiential learning, and the development of critical thinking skills. It concerned
with “Learning by doing” and purports (claims to) that children learn best when pursuing
their own needs. This leads to students being motivated and enthusiastic about learning.
Proponent/Thought Leaders: (Reasons for establishment of the Philosophy)

John Dewey – He was a professor emeritus of philosophy at Colombia University on
January 16, 1935. In 1899, he published the pamphlet that made him
famous, “The School and Society and promulgated many key precepts of
later education reforms. He is the main proponent of Progressivism and was
introduced because of he insisted that the old model of schooling – students
sitting in rows, memorizing and reciting – was antiquated. Therefore,
students should be active and not passive.
William Heard Kilpatrick – He developed the Project Method for early childhood
education, which was a form of Progressive Education that organized
curriculum and classroom activities around a subject’s central theme. He
believed that the role of a teacher should be that of a “guide” as opposed to
an authoritarian figure.
Maria Montessori – The principal purpose of Montessori education is to develop the child’s
natural thirst of knowledge, to develop a sense of order, nurture functional
creativity, boost self-confidence and importantly, help develop structure,
independence, and confidence in learning.
Rudolph Steiner – His approach epitomizes the philosophies of the “child-centered”
movement of the early Progressivism who sought to educate the child
intellectually, physically, and socially. He proposed a theory of child
development that states, children are active agents of their own learning,
and are driven to grow and evolve as that teachers should focus on the
child’s learning processes and achievements in all areas, not just the
academic.
Scope:
Progressivist educators are outcome focused and don’t simply impart learned facts,
instead, concerned with passing on the existing culture and strive for
individuals’ development.
Progressive Classroom is all about exploration and experience. Teachers act as facilitators
in a classroom that established common sights like small group debating,
custom-made activities, and learning stations where they typically walk
freely among the groups and guiding them using suggestions and thought-
provoking questions.
Progressive Education is based mainly on the individual needs, abilities, and interests of the
students to emphasize the development of the whole child: physical,
emotional, and intellectual. The term progressive was engaged to
distinguish this education from the traditional Euro-American curricula of
the 19th century.
Examples of Progressive Education:
 Open Classrooms
 Cooperative learning
 Multiage approaches Impact of Progressivism to Modern Education:
 Whole language
 Student-Centered Learning
 Social Curriculum
 Experiential Learning
 Experiential education
 Active Learning
Pedagogical Strategies:  Technological Integration
 Standards-Based Education
 Project-based learning
 Problem-based learning
 Inquiry-based learning
 Service learning
 Student-centered learning / Student-Led Discussions
 Self-directed learning / Active Participation
Differentiation
TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM PROGRESSIVE CLASSROOM
School is a preparation for life. School is a part of life.
Learners are passive absorbers of information. Learners are active participants, problem solvers
Teachers are source of information & authority. Teachers are facilitators, guides
Parents are outsiders and uninvolved. Parents are the primary teachers, goal setters,
Community is separate from school. Community is an extension of the classroom.
Program is determined by test results. Program is determined by goals for graduates.
Knowledge is absorbed through lecturing. Knowledge is constructed through experience.
Disciplines are separated. Disciplines are integrated.
Intelligence is a measure disciplinary ability. Intelligence is recognized as varied.
Qualities of Progressive Education Programs
 Emphasis on learning by doing, expeditionary learning, experiential learning

 Integrated curriculum focused
 Strong emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking
 Group work and development of social skills
 Understanding and action as the goals of learning as opposed to rote knowledge
 Collaborative and cooperative learning projects
 Education for social responsibility.
 Highly personalized education accounting for each individual’s personal goals
 Integration of community service and service-learning projects into the daily curriculum
 Selection of subject content by looking forward to asking what skills will be needed in
future society
 De-emphasis on textbooks in favor of varied learning resources
 Emphasis on lifelong learning and social skills
 Assessment by evaluation of child’s projects and productions
Progressivist’s Thoughts
They believe that teachers should foster the development of the whole child through
hands-on learning. Experimentation and play.

PROGRESSIVISM

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PROGRESSIVISM

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PROGRESSIVISM

Nature & Background:

Proponent/Thought Leaders: (Reasons for establishment of the Philosophy)

Qualities of Progressive Education Programs

 Emphasis on learning by doing, expeditionary learning, experiential learning

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