Progressive education emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction to traditional education's narrow focus on content and rote memorization. It emphasizes learning through experience and relating academic subjects to students' lives. John Dewey was a major influencer, establishing schools that applied principles like learning by doing, student-centered lessons, and collaborative work. While progressive education was criticized for being too unfocused in later decades, many argue it still provides valuable lessons in developing critical thinking and engagement over solely memorization and testing. Educators continue discussing how to balance traditional rigor with progressive philosophies that focus on the whole child.

1. PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION

2. WHAT IS
PROGRESSIVE
LEARNING
Individualized instructions.
(Christou, 2012)
Opportunities for active learning.
(Christou, 2012)
Relating knowledge and
experiences of students to life
outside of the schools.
(Christou, 2012)

3. Traditional Learning
● Emphasis on content (Sherrington, 2017).
● Structured (Sherrington, 2017).
● Ordered systems (Sherrington, 2017).
● Formal Learning (Sherrington, 2017).
● Measurable Outcomes (Sherrington,
2017).
Progressive Learning
● Emphasis on process (Sherrington, 2017).
● Experiential Learning (Sherrington, 2017).
● Organic Systems (Sherrington, 2017).
● Informal Learning (Sherrington, 2017).
● Intangible Outcomes (Sherrington, 2017).
TRADITIONAL VS PROGRESSIVE LEARNING

4. Traditional Learning
● Teacher leads the class from the front
(Kennedy, 2019).
● Students listen while teacher delivers
lectures (Kennedy, 2019).
● Focus on ‘Chalk and Talk
Teaching’(Kennedy, 2019).
Progressive Learning
● Adopts Harkness Method such that
teacher sits among the students (Kennedy,
2019).
● The teacher interacts with students and
encourages curiosity and exchange of
ideas (Kennedy, 2019).
● Use of Harkness table, literally a round
table to facilitate discussion and
conversation(Kennedy, 2019).
TRADITIONAL VS PROGRESSIVE LEARNING

5. HOW DID PROGRESSIVE
TRADITION EMERGE?
- Began in late 19th century as a
reaction to the alleged narrowness and
formalism of traditional education
(Progressive education, 2021)
- Most influential scholar is John
Dewey (Progressive education, 2021)
- European pedagogical reform 17th –
19th century stemming partly from
Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Emile (1762)
(Progressive education, 2021)

6. HOW DID PROGRESSIVE TRADITION EMERGE?
- In the 17th and 18th century education had
an influence from religious views (Lepole,
2021)
- After the revolutions, education was
nationalized and aimed at shaping “an
enlightened citizen” (Lepole, 2021)
- After WWI ¼ of the educators were lost in
battle therefore there was a feminization of
the field (Lepole, 2021)
- schools focused on reading, writing and
arithmetic through memorization (Lepole,
2021)
- From 1750 - 1850 there was a shift from a
rural, agrarian mercantilist world to one of
markets, commercial and industrial
capitalism and cities proceeded apace
(Reese, 2001, p 4)
- These changes led many citizens to dream
of a more just world based on rules of law,
science and progress (Reese, 2001, p 4)
- Bringing forward the progessive
educational tradition of the whole child and
child centred ideals (Reese, 2001, p 14)

7. Progressive Education Influencers (The
Park School, 2021)
1782 - 1852
Friedrich Frobel
- created the kindergarten
(a place for the whole
child to develop and
grow)
1746 - 1827
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1632-1704
John Locke
- producing individuals
with sound minds and
bodies
- education should be
dependent upon one’s
ideas of life
Johann Heinrich
Pestalozzi
- stressed that everyone
was capable of learning
1712 - 1778
Jean-Jacques
Rousseau
- stressed the importance
of expression to produce
well balanced,
freethinking children

8. Progressive Education Influencers
Continued (The Park School, 2021)
1876 - 1968
Eugene Randolph Smith
- believed that education
should help children
develop an understanding
of life and help them to
live richly using their
abilities as a constructive
member of the
community
1865 - 1930
Hans Froelicher SR
- stressed the child-
centred curriculum
- founded the progressive
education association
1859 - 1952
John Dewey
- seen as the father of
progressive education
- stressed a democratic
relationship in the
classroom
1837 - 1902
Francis Wayland Parker
- stressed the importance
of the complete
development of an
individual

9. JOHN
DEWEY
Born in Vermont in 1859 and died in 1952
(Edwards, 2007).
In 1896, established the Dewey’s
Laboratory School in response to teacher
centered traditional education (Edwards,
2007).
Practices in education such as experiential,
hands on learning and student centered
approach are based on his ideas
(Edwards,2007).

10. JOHN
DEWEY
He grew up in a family that was very
active in the social community and the
democratic vision of the political
community (Williams, 2017, p 91)
This influenced who he was as an educator
(Williams, 2017, p 91)
He was a philosopher, social reformer and
educator (Only a teacher, 2021)

11. JOHN
DEWEY
His ideas on education sprang from his
philosophy of pragmatism (Only a teacher,
2021)
4 principles of education included
1) Learning by doing
2) Discussions
3) Interactions
4) Interdisciplinary (Sprouts School, 2021)

12. John Dewey Video Break
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3fm6wNzK70

13. JOHN
DEWEY
He joined pragmatism because of the
usefulness, workability and practicality of
ideas and policies (Britannica, 2021)
He reformulated pragmatism to create
instrumentalism which embraces both
logical and humanistic currents
(Britannica, 2021)
He also integrated scientific knowledge
with beliefs about values and purposes
(Britannica, 2021)

14. DEWEY’S CRITICISM
OF TRADITIONAL
SYSTEM (Evans, 2021).
Lack of holistic
approach to learning.
Extensive focus on
content and
instruction with
disregard of process.
Lack of learning
through play, natural
curiosity and
exploration.

15. Misconceptions About Progressive
Education
1) There is no structure
2) Lacks challenge and rigor
3) Progressive education = Permissive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwnXRVAnVis

16. Criticism of Progressive Education
● From 1947 to 1958, Progressive education was criticized for being soft, too student-focused and
neglectful of development in skills and knowledge (Evans, 2021).
● Traditionalists wanted schools to stick with conventional goals of education: focus on 3 Rs and
employing traditional methods of teaching such as use of textbooks and assessments (Evans, 2021).
● In 1950s, progressive education was held responsible and blamed for decline in academic standards
amidst global economic competition, cold war and fears of falling behind (Evans, 2021).
● The 1970s and 1980s were marked by ‘back to basics’ and ‘excellence movements which resulted
in educational reform movement focusing on standards, testing and accountability (Evans, 2021).
● Systemic reforms introduced in 1980s rooted in fear of failure resulted in loss of teacher autonomy,
focus on measurable outcomes and low academic freedom (Evans, 2021).

17. PROGRESSIVE
EDUCATION IN
ONTARIO.
● The rhetoric progressive education began spreading throughout
Ontario after first World War in 1919. Interwar years were marked by
drastic changes in economic, political and social changes in the
province (Christou, 2012).
● Child study emerged as a field emphasizing the importance of mental
health, social adjustment and developmental psychology (Christou,
2012).
● From mid 1920s – Mid1950s, Dr. William E. Blat based out of in the
University of Toronto’s Institute of Child Study (ICS), an expert in
Child Study Movement, advocated for child health and prevention
(Christou, 2012).
● Child Study & Child Health Advocate’s main concern was lobbying
for physical and mental health of children. All stakeholders including
parents, schools and the province’s Division of Child Hygiene
emphasized this by focusing on healthy diet, exercise and
maintenance of sanitary schools and homes (Christou, 2012).
● By 1930s, The Great Depression along with rapid industrialization,
urbanization and immigration resulted in need for educational reform
to bring about social and economic changes (Christou, 2012).
● In early 1940s, second world war resulted in problems such as
economic recession and political confusion. This demanded education
system to respond by promoting active citizenship and defending
democracy (Christou, 2012).
● Curriculum reform in 1937 mandated implementation of compulsory
curriculum and incorporated many elements of progressive
philosophy specifically in subjects such as Health and Social Studies
(Christou, 2012).
● There are currently 91 schools in Canada that are categorized as
progressive; however very few can actually be considered progressive
(Peartree School, 2021)

18. Challenges faced by children today
Our education system can only be as good as the society it serves. A society that is driven by consumerism,
intrusive media and scrutinization of educators will reflect these values in education (Lowe, 2007).
Children are being perceived as consumers in our society and struggling with depression and behavioral
conditions (Lowe, 2007).
Globalization and coming of internet has resulted in early exposure to violent graphic images, increased
consumption of junk food and disruption of sleep & play patterns (Lowe, 2007).
The culture in school is test driven, overly competitive and children are expected to start formal school
earlier (Lowe, 2007).
Schools have caused students to be hyper focused on individual performance, such as grades, college and
career and less on social engagement (Lowe, 2007).

19. Challenges faced by educators today
The focus on targets, testings and outcomes has resulted in increased workload for
educators (Lowe, 2007).
Focus on 3 Rs has left little or no time for curiosity, creativity, art and other activities
(Lowe, 2007).
Due to pressure and time constraints, teachers are 50% less likely to engage in
conversations with students, give feedback to students on their work or take time and
attention to respond to student’s work (Lowe, 2007).
Loss of teacher autonomy where teachers have become mere deliverers of national
curriculum (Lowe, 2007).

20. Solutions
Children’s needs should be at the forefront of political agenda (Lowe, 2007).
A need for policy reform not driven by fear, but a balanced view and vision of education
(Evans, 2021).
A recognition and support for the best practices in traditional and progressive teaching
philosophies (Evans, 2021).
A need to think of a child holistically and focus on critical thinking and social engagement
instead of hyper focus on IQ and cognition (Evans, 2021).

21. what LEARNING – STILL RELEVANT TODAY?
What is the vision of a worthy society?
What is the purpose of schooling ?
What are the qualities of an educated individual in our time?
What are the qualities of citizens we need and want in our times?
Questions to Consider (Evans, 2021)

22. "THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE IS NOT OF NEW
VERSUS OLD EDUCATION NOR A PROGRESSIVE
AGAINST TRADITIONAL EDUCATION BUT A
QUESTION OF WHAT, IF ANYTHING WHATEVER,
MUST BE WORTHY OF THE NAME EDUCATION."
(Dewey, 1997)

23. THE PEDAGOGY
TREE METAPHOR
Learning through
play in the early
years
The structure of
traditional
philosophies provide
the support for growth
A matrix of both
traditional and
progressive
philosophies as we
diverge
Inter relation of traditional and progressive
philosophies (Sherrington, 2017).

24. REFERENCES
● Christou, T. M. (2012). Progressive education: Revisioning and reframing Ontario's public schools, 1919-1942. Toronto, Ontario: University of Toronto
Press.
● Evans, R. W. (2021). Fear and Schooling: Understanding the Troubled History of Progressive Education (1st ed.). Routledge.
● Kennedy, Robert. (2019). “Progressive Education: How Children Learn.” ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/progressive-education-how-children-learn-
today-2774713.
● Lowe, R. (2007). The Death of Progressive Education: How Teachers Lost Control of the Classroom (1st ed.). Routledge.
● Lepole. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://lepole.education/en/pedagogical-culture/22-history-of-education.html?start=7
● PBS online: Only a Teacher: Teaching Timeline. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/timeline.html
● Progressive education. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/progressive-education
● Sherrington, T. (2017, April 28). The Progressive-Traditional Pedagogy Tree. Teacherhead. https://teacherhead.com/2014/03/15/the-progressive-
traditional-pedagogy-tree/
● The principles of progressive education. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://www.parkschool.net/about/philosophy/principles-of-progressive-
education/
● Williams, M. K. (2017). John Dewey in the 21st Century. Journal of Inquiry & Action in Education, 9(1), 91-102
● Dewey, J. (1997). Experience And Education (Reprint ed.). Free Press.
● Edwards, A. (2007). The Dewey School: The Laboratory School of the University of Chicago 1896-1903 (1st ed.). Routledge.