Running head: EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY 1

Educational Philosophy

Professor David Teja

CSU-Chico EDTE-265-72

Emily Hall
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Educational Philosophy

Progressivism is the educational philosophy that students learn by doing. Much of what I

have learned about progressivism, also referred to often as pragmatism, revolves around the

notion that students are active participants in their own learning. The students’ interests and

experiences are the focus of this educational philosophy. As it relates to my own life, I have

always felt that learning in a hands-on manner was a significant factor in a child’s development. I

have a special education sibling who proved to me that inclusion, cooperation, and overall

participation in learning decisions are extremely beneficial. Progressivism emphasizes the

importance of student engagement in learning discussions and gives them the responsibility over

their own education. This idea works well for many students, including special needs students,

because it allows them to learn through experimenting, observing, and relating their own

interests or life-experiences. According to Teach: Introduction to Education, “Progressives

advocated a vibrant school setting with a curriculum that followed the interests and needs of

students, encouraged active learning and problem solving, fostered deep understanding of

concepts through experimentation, and supported assessments of students through close

observation by well-prepared and caring teachers” (Koch, 2023, p.52). This educational

philosophy concentrates on maintaining learning through engaging the students and letting them

enjoy what they are learning.

Alongside the hands-on experiments and active participation for student learning, the idea

of progressivism focuses on enabling students to think critically and problem solve. The

philosophy is considered to be a student-centered and social reforming approach in education.

This means that students learn to work together and cooperate to solve problems that relate to the
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real-world. “According to this philosophy, students should be encouraged to question

assumptions, analyze information, and develop their own ideas and opinions” (Progressivism in

Education, 2023). This philosophy promotes guidance from teachers that are not bound by strict

rules. Instead, the students make decisions based on their interests and apply their own

understanding toward their curriculum. For special needs students, the ability to work-together

with other students to learn critical thinking and problem solving skills is a significant

component in their personal development. This philosophy fosters student learning by pushing

them to be creative and curious. Not only do students get to learn by doing, but they also learn

important skills by seeking new information or answers to questions they have. Life skills, such

as problem-solving, learning to ask effective questions, and creatively forming their

individualized opinions are all necessary skills for real-world dilemmas. Progressivism, starting

in school, teaches students skills and qualities that last a lifetime.

Final Reflection

All in all, the educational progressivism philosophy promotes student learning through

hands-on activities, life-experiences, and self responsibility. Personally, I have seen factors of

this approach enrich the learning of students and special needs students. I intend to use

progressive strategies in my own future classroom. To me, experimenting and active

participation is very important for student learning. Using this philosophy, I can keep my future

students interested and engaged in what they are learning, so they desire to learn even more. Not

only that, but I will encourage students to work together to develop problem-solving strategies

and critical thinking skills. I will push my students to apply their own ideas, life-experiences, or
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interests into what they are learning. “For progressive education, experience serves as the source

from which knowledge emerges” (Tippet & Lee, 2019, p.85).

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References

Admin. (2023, March 26). Progressivism in Education - philo-notes. PHILO-NOTES.

https://philonotes.com/2023/03/progressivism-in-education

Koch, J. (2023). Teach: Introduction to Education [Electronic] (Fifth). SAGE Publications, Inc.

TIPPETT, T. P., & LEE, J. J. (2019). Looking back to move forward: Understanding Progressive

Education in the 21st Century. Journal of Applied Learning in Higher Education,

08(Fall), 79–97. https://doi.org/10.57186/jalhe_2019_v8a5p79-97