Progressive Education

I have linked a less then 2-minute clip about a progressive classroom. This video shows different concepts from Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Froebel, and Dewey. The main concept that links all four of these theorists together is that they all believe in some way or another the natural unfolding of a child. This video shows how teachers in this progressive school promote community among grades and school wide. Unlike other schools, progressive classrooms provide students with more freedom to learn and experience new things with peers. Stressing communication among peers allows students to learn from each other and become more child centered. Like these theorists say, children want to learn about what interests them. To go along with the book, the video expresses how children in progressive schools want to learn, they find meaning and purpose in it and it’s more enjoyable to them. The progressive school teachers said, “Who don’t want to learn, because their curiosity is satisfied?” This video is helpful because it allows you to see and get a feel for a real progressive classroom of today. 

Click Here For Video

I have also included a chart that compares two educational models, the traditional school method and the progressive school method. Through using this chart you may create your own opinion of the pros and cons of the two educational models. This chart could potentially help a soon to be educator recognize the pros of both traditional and progressive schools, hopefully incorporating a little of both into their future classroom.