Progressivism Jennifer and Jinny

An introduction to progressivism Progressive Education in the 1940s The Progressive education philosophy was established in America from the mid 1920s through the mid 1950s. John Dewey was its foremost proponent. One of his tenets was that the school should improve the way of life of our citizens through experiencing freedom and democracy in schools. Shared decision making, planning of teachers with students, student-selected topics are all aspects. Books are tools, rather than authority. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opXKmwg8VQM

Major Beliefs, Values, Practices Emphasis on learning by doing-hands on Integrated Curriculum focused on thematic units Strong emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking Group work is emphasized Assessment by evaluation of child’s projects and productions

Progressivism (according to Dewey, Kilpatrick, Childs) Education should be life itself, not a preparation for living Learning should be directly related to the interests of the child The teachers role is not to direct but to advise The school should encourage cooperation rather than competition

Influence on Curriculum Progressive Education- period between late 19th and mid 20th century This educational philosophy stresses that students should test ideas by active experimentation. Learning is rooted in the questions of learners that arise through experiencing the world. Effective teachers provide experiences so that students can learn by doing.

Curriculum content is derived from student interests and questions. Insists that education must be a continuous reconstruction of living experience based on activity directed by the child Example In a Preschool classroom have themes , which are implemented around the subjects students are learning, most of the learning/activities in preschool are active and revolve around a theme many involve games, movement, and music.

Philosophy's definition of key terms The elements of progressive education have been termed "child-centered" and "social reconstructionist" approaches. More recently Progressivism, has been viewed as an alternative to the test- oriented instruction legislated by the No Child Left Behind educational funding act. The term "progressive" was engaged to distinguish this education from the traditional curriculum of the 19th century, which was rooted in classical preparation for the university

Despite the variations that exist among the progressive programs throughout the country, most progressive schools today are vitalized by these common practices: The curriculum is more flexible and is influenced by student interest Teachers are facilitators of learning who encourage students to use a wide variety of activities to learn Progressive teachers use a wider variety of materials allowing for individual and group research. Progressive teachers encourage students to learn by discovery Progressive education programs often include the use of community resources and encourage service-learning projects.

Progressivism aligned with Curriculum as Experience Series of things that children and youth must do and experience (Bobbitt) All the experiences children have under the guidance of teachers (Caswell & Campbell) The total experience with which the school deals in educating young people (Eight Year Study Report) A goal or set of values that is activated through a development process and culminates in classroom experiences for students (Wiles)

Historical context Led by Dewey, progressive educators opposed a growing national movement that sought to separate academic education for the few and narrow vocational training for the masses. During the 1920s, when education turned increasingly to "scientific" techniques such as intelligence testing and cost-benefit management, progressive educators insisted on the importance of the emotional, artistic, and creative aspects of human development- -"the most living and essential parts of our natures,"

Progressivism Overview & impact on student’s teachers and administrators Children should be prepared and motivated to make themselves the best human beings they are capable of becoming. http://www.progressiveliving.org/education/progressive_education_frameset.htm

Progressivism & ODE Content standards Students develop scientific habits of mind as they use the processes of scientific inquiry to ask valid questions and to gather and analyze information. They understand how to develop hypotheses and make predictions. They are able to reflect on scientific practices as they develop plans of action to create and evaluate a variety of conclusions. Students are also able to demonstrate the ability to communicate their findings to others. Benchmark A: Ask a testable question. Kindergarten Doing Scientific Inquiry   1. Ask “what if” questions.   2. Explore and pursue student-generated “what if” questions.

Insight into Progressivism Pros Educates the “whole child” and includes physical and emotional development Student is an active participant in their learning Students learning by doing is the key approach Promotes active engagement and thinking for themselves

Insight Continued Cons This philosophy does not favor a routine (as teachers who work with students with disabilities, this is a very important part of their school experience) May not prepare children for state and district-wide testing

Discussion Questions 1. How does one determine what the child’s best interests are? What if the child them self has not figured out what their best interests are? 2. Does progressivism prepare our students for state and district-wide testing? 3. What other methods of testing do you feel progressivism may promote as opposed to the state testing?

References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_ education http://www.youtube.com http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP 3.html http://www.progressiveliving.org/educatio n/progressive_education_frameset.htm