HISTORY

Progressivism in education today had its origins in Europe. Among the initial group of people
who explored this frontier was Maria Montessori. She is famous for establishing the “Montessori
method” that gave birth to Montessori schools all around the world.

Between the years 1700 and 1900, many key European thinkers were responsible for changing
‘traditional’ educational systems. By around 1774, a few experimental progressive schools were set in
Europe. They continued to expand and grow in popularity well into the late 1800s.

Meanwhile, ideas of progressive education also reached the United States, where it developed
separately. After 1900, these ideas combined with European ideas to form progressivism in education
today.

PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION

Is a response to traditional educational systems. People supporting progressive education

thought that long-established rules about education were restrictive and too formal.

Unlike education which involves absorbing facts and fully comprehending pre-discovered
knowledge, progressivism in education today focuses on experience, instead.

Here are some of the main tenets of progressive education:

 Education is about developing a child’s physical, emotional and intellectual aspects.

 School isn’t a fixed institution. Instead, it’s an experimental area where children are involved in
learning by doing things.
 In the classroom, everyone’s opinion matters.
 Creativity and the arts help to nurture children in a journey of discovery and independent
thought.
 Active participation in projects is the core of progressive education, which aims to help children
learn by experience.

TRADITIONAL EDUCATION PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION

Students sit obediently and memorize Students proactively participate in tasks,
knowledge from authentic sources. solve problems, and plan ahead.

Parents don’t take part in educating their Parents are foremost teachers. They affix
children. goals, plan ahead, and aid students in their
education.

Community is a different entity from Community is another part of class.

 school and is only involved for funding
grants.

People decide how the school is run via a All staff participate in the decision making
hierarchy of power, and executed via process.
administration.

Students learn in a narrow-minded Learning is multi-dimensional, like a spiral.

fashion by compiling knowledge and The objective is to widen and deepen the
being able to use skills effectively. scope of learning.

Talks, assignments and textbooks Playing, experiencing different situations

transmit knowledge. and socialising with others all enable
students to gain knowledge.

The main direction is straight, and mostly The main questions which children ask are
centers on correct responses. the main directive for what they learn.

Subjects and topics, like language and Students understand how subjects relate
mathematics, are distinct categories. to one another because they’re merged.

Students learn skills carefully and Skills are connected to learning material
attentively, and are end-points. and are tools.

Normal standards from other sources are Evaluation systems are based on
used in tests to evaluate students, after yardsticks, appears in varied forms, and
which they are ranked. based on progress.

Success means rising above the Success means learning and gradually
competition in terms of regurgitating practicing what students have learnt by
information from memory in a particular cooperating with others.
time and place.

Mastery over language and mathematical Intellect is viewed as a variety of themes,

prowess is the main gauge of intellectual including artistic pursuits, and is gauged by
ability. resolving real-world problems.

School is a compulsory duty and students School is an exciting and enjoyable portion
have to find ways to cope. of life.

TEACHER’S ROLE:

o Coordinator/ Facilitator or Guide.

o Determine student interest.
o Involve students in curriculum development.
 o Stimulate direct learning process.

BENEFITS OF PROGRESSIVISM IN EDUCATION TODAY

o It allows students to become exposed to real world situations.

o Helps students master a couple of important skills needed once they pursue their careers. These
includes:
 Cooperating with teams
 Thinking critically before doing things
 Using creative means to resolve problems and being able to contribute
independently.