Progressive Education 16 November 2011
Lecture Outline 1. Psychology & Education 1.Behaviourism 2.Freudian theory 2. Progressive education John Dewey 4 elements 3. Progressive education in Canada Implementation Critiques Hilda Neatby
Psychology & Education Behaviourism Response to hereditarianism Habit training Scientific child rearing Children could be programmed to respond & act in specific ways Validated traditional methods Rote learning Memorization punishment
Psychology & Education Freudian Theory Understanding the child as an individual Children: curious & unique Impact: Educators job to understand children, not control them Influenced progressive theory of education
John Dewey & Progressive Education John Dewey b American educator View of traditional education: Too limiting Didn’t promote understanding Too authoritarian John Dewey c. 1890s source: ucls.uchicago.edu
Dewey & Progressive Education Education: child-centred, not subject-centred Four Main Elements 1.Develop the child’s personality 2.Emphasize the whole child 3.Hands-on learning 4.The ‘new’ teacher Expected results: Different attitude towards education Children: think for themselves Become better citizens
Progressive Education in Canada 1925: BC supported the implementation of progressive education Social and political climate led to delays Hilda Neatby Critic of progressive education So Little for the Mind (1953) Hilda Neatby source: scaa.usask.ca