Progressive Education

The video Progressive Education in the 1940s, takes us through William Byrd Kilpatrick’s attempt to revolutionize education through project-based learning. Rather than sticking to the rigid, drill-filled classroom structure of the time that measured the strength of memory more than understanding (danieljbmitchell, 2014), Kilpatrick advocated for an education system which allowed students to learn by doing and experiencing practical, everyday problems (danieljbmitchell, 2014). This, according the Kilpatrick, would help learners prepare for their futures by learning to face actuality and on this basis build ideas, character, a sense of self-reliance and of how to live and work with others (danieljbmitchell, 2014).

The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same. These were my exact thoughts as I watched the video. Since beginning my career in education 12 years ago, the idea of moving away from the traditional, teacher-led lecture style of education has always been a topic of discussion. “Student-centered instruction”, “hands-on activities”, and the latest one in my district, “collaborative learning”, have all become a part of my daily lexicon. During our staff development sessions, we are shown countless research and examples of these methods in use and informed of why they are beneficial in students’ development of 21st century skills.

However, even with all of the research and information provided, I still notice that many teachers on my campus and in my district are somewhat reluctant to completely buy-in to these ideas and change their learning environments. There are two main reasons I believe this is happening.

The first reason I believe we have not seen significant change in education is because,people who like this stuff...like this stuff (Godin, 2014). Many of today’s teachers were taught in the traditional, lecture-style way. It is a style that is familiar and comfortable to them because this is what they have known to be education their entire lives. And, because they have been able to succeed as adults and obtain a career as educators, I think many have the mentality of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”. In my personal experience, I have often heard teachers say “we learned in this manner and we turned out fine...why wouldn’t it work for our students?”

Another reason, and I believe the biggest reason, we have not seen significant change in education is because of standardized testing. The format of standardized tests is not hands-on, interactive, collaborative, personalized, or entail the students completing a project in order to pass. Everyone is given the same pencil and paper exam (although my state is currently moving towards making our state exams computer-based) and required to complete it independently in a quiet environment. And, if I may speak very honestly, many teachers understand the weight that standardized testing can have not only on their students but also themselves (i.e. their jobs). Therefore, and understandably so, many teachers do not see the point of implementing instruction that they may view as not preparing the students for what they will experience when they take their tests. I feel very strongly that if there were not standardized testing more teachers would be open to ideas that would help to create significant change in education.

Sources:

danieljbmitchell. (2007, July 31). Progressive Education in the 1940s. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opXKmwg8VQM&feature=youtu.be.

Godin, S. (2014, September 16). Retrieved from https://seths.blog/2014/09/people-who-like-this-stuff/