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From the beginning of formal education, many different philosophies have developed. Some of

these philosophies are teacher-centered while others are student-centered. Therefore, this paper

gives my reflection on progressivism as the philosophy that surprises me, some components of

this philosophy that spoke to me, and how this philosophy has spark changes in educational

practice or institutional models over time.

Growing up in Ghana as a student and becoming an educator who has taught for many years, I

was only familiar with traditional education whereby the teacher is the center of education. As a

teacher, I had my syllabus for my course and had to follow that curriculum from the beginning of

the term to the end. In this sense, the focus was on me the teacher and the material I outlined for

the course. Upon studying this course, to my surprise I have come to embrace progressivism

which contradicts the traditional education I knew.

Progressivism is a student-centered philosophy proposed by John Dewey whereby the teacher is

the facilitator of educational process rather than the center. This philosophy focuses on the

students following a scientific method of questioning and searching for answer. (Nicholas, n.d.).

Thus, in this approach, the student is seen as a problem solver and thinker who bring meaning

through his/her experience in the physical and cultural context. In this case the teacher has to

provide the experiences so that the learner can learn by doing. As the teacher serve as a

facilitator, the students also explore their moral, mental, social and physical growth. (Lynch,

2016). According to Genly (2019) progressivism values the scientific method of teaching, gives

freedom to the students to have their beliefs (that is democracy in the classroom), and also

promotes interaction among students as valuable to the learning process. Progressivism

encourages students’ inputs, and that books are tools but not authority. Curriculum content here
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is derived from student needs, experiences, abilities, interests and questions. Some examples of

progressive school are Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia schools.

Throughout my studies in progressivism philosophy in education, the following components

spoke to me although I initially disagreed. The first is the individual freedom given to the

students. Initially, I thought given the students freedom will make them not respect teachers and

break classroom rules but now I agree that giving them freedom will even make them

responsible. Secondly, I did not agree to the fact that students should be the task-masters while

the teacher becomes just a facilitator but now I have to understand that if the teacher become a

guide to encourage the students, per the students’ experiences in the physical and cultural

context, they can think and bring solution to problems. This will make them feel proud of

themselves. In addition, since becoming problem thinkers and solvers is what they will be doing

when writing doctorate thesis, I think it is right if they start when they are still young.

I think a philosophy like progressivism has spark changes in educational practice or instructional

models over time. For example, since progressivism is student-centered philosophy unlike the

traditional philosophy, greater attention is given to everything that affects the physical

development of the learner in the school like his/her health. Progressivism philosophy suggests a

classroom environment where students can have better light and air, clean and good ventilation,

and also access to classroom movement, and adequate playgrounds. (McNicholas, 1935). For

example, this has helped in my classroom arrangements and made my classroom attractive for

my students so that they will love coming for classes. Again, unlike the traditional philosophy,

progressivism over time has brought changes in educational practice in the sense that it has

promoted collaboration and cooperation in my classroom, and also made my students view

themselves as problem thinkers and solvers who by their own initiative bring meaning through
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their experience in the physical and cultural contexts. Furthermore, progressivism has helped

teachers to understand and care more about students. For example, this theory has helped in the

establishment of Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia systems and teaching.

In conclusion, I have now come to understand and view progressivism philosophy as my best

educational philosophy which can help in my teaching practice.

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References

Ganly, S. (2019, September 4). Educational philosophies in the classroom: The categories of

various teaching philosophies. Retrieved July 9, 2021

from: https://sarahganly1.medium.com/educational-philosophies-in-the-classroom-

the-categories-of-various-teaching-philosophies-11c3e2811c21

Lynch, M., (2016). Philosophies of education: 3 types of student-centered philosophies.

Retrieved July 11, 2021 from https://www.theedadvocate.org/philosophies-education-

3-types-student-centered-philosophies/

McNicholas, A. E. (1935). The principles of progressive education. Chicago. Loyola University.

Retrieved from July 12, 2021 from https://ecommons.luc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

article=1284&context=luc_theses

Nicholas, D. (n.d.). Educational philosophy defined. Retrieved July 12, 2021 from

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-hostos-education/chapter/foundations-of-

education-and-instructional-assessmenteducational-philosophydefined/