Insights on Progressivism

Progressivism is an interesting educational philosophy, and was advanced by William Kilpatrick, otherwise known as “The Father of Progressive Education.” I learned that its philosophical base is rooted in pragmatism, in which the focus lies on experience. As far as I know, the term pragmatic is used to describe anything that deals with practicality. It perhaps opposes being theoretical. Therefore, progressivism can be defined as a perspective in which the spotlight is centered on the learner and his experiences.

My take here is that it indeed is concrete, useful, and relatable to students. Unlike if we bombard students with concepts which may be profound or abstract to them, then the students may lose interest. That is why the curricular focus of this educational philosophy lies on the natural inclination, interests, and potentialities of the learners. Such can be channeled and hence be utilized to prepare the learners to more socially responsible roles in the community. In short, progressivism is based on real-world scenarios. The knowledge, skills, and attitudes they will be getting should equip them to face the various uncertainties and challenges of the world.

Moreover, I view progressivism as contemporary and liberal. Its tenets deviate from the traditional and conservative stance of other educational philosophies such as perennialism and essentialism. Such approach to education is not authoritarian. It is not about the teacher and his dictations. The apple of the eye is certainly the student. First, I very like that the learners are highlighted and uplifted in this context. I strongly agree to such orientation for I adhere to the psychological fact that learning is a personal process. The one who activates that is solely the learner himself. Teacher may just guide and facilitate the learning of the learners. Taking into consideration the learner indeed is indispensable; it is through emphasis of the learner in which the they can be truly involved.

This educational philosophy, in specific, sees that learners must determine their own course of study. It encapsulates that the concept of learning can be genuinely effective only if it aids to clarify their concerns and stimulate their interests. It is an inward approach. I mean it utilizes a technique in which students’ happiness and desires and counted. In the same vein, the view of learning is advanced through the lens of their yearnings and predilections.

The advocates of this educational philosophy want the learners to have an enhanced life, to make their life progress, and hence the term progressivism is used. Learning is never constricted in the classroom walls. It does not follow a teacher-dictated, rigid track. Learners have choices and options on what they want to learn. In my own perspective, this is beneficial since children or any other learners have the autonomy in their learning. It is a human given to have a choice of what and how they learn. Psychologically, people function well when they are not forced and have a say to a certain undertaking. Such approach can reinforce their maturation and development. Regardless of the nature of the learners, progressivism strives to impact them of positive change.

It does not place the learner in a tower of ivory. It values the social whole. Its vision is to make them worthy and meaningful member of their community. The means to achieve that is through participation and active experimentation. They are not passive in learning in this sense. In fact, this educational philosophy want inquiry, interaction, and problem-solving. It abhors the pedantic, bookish, and superficial learning. The accumulation of facts is never a rule in this school of thought. However, it understands that notion that books still play an important role to learning, most especially in self-directed learning, and in the promotion of vicarious experiences gotten from reading and appreciating a book.

On the other side of the coin, there are disadvantages that I see. It is very ideal. Such vision may be beneficial for gradual progress of the educational system, if the problems in the grassroots level are resolved first. I view that it entails immense and exhausting tasks for the teachers. This is not practical in a public school setting in which a room has more or less sixty students. There are so many to be fixed in our overstuffed and malnourished education system. If implemented forcedly, chaos definitely shall occur.

There is another point I would to point out. If students were to be schooled solely in this educational philosophy, I worry that the students may not value academic rigor. I value rigor nowadays since I learned that it is one of the traits of the successful. Plus, their mastery in fundamental skills, such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, may depreciate.