Decoding the Growing Importance of Progressive Learning

Education

8-10

6 months ago

Decoding the Growing Importance of Progressive Learning

Progressive Learning was a term that originated in the late 19th Century and was first used by educational reformer and philosopher John Dewey. The introduction of progressive learning was with the belief that “Education is more than preparation for the future, it is life itself”. John Dewey firmly believed that this approach to education is active as well as interactive and that the teaching method should fit the student. Progressive learning focuses on making children learn the concepts thoroughly which helps them retain their learning rather than rote memorization. In this article, we will compare progressive learning with the traditional approach along with knowing the core features of progressive learning.

Also Read How Progressive Learning leads to Holistic Development of your Child

How is Progressive learning Different from Traditional Learning

Traditional Learning	Progressive Learning
Traditional learning follows a linear structured curriculum wherein the subjects are decided beforehand.	Progressive learning focuses on a flexible approach wherein students can learn and explore their interests.
In traditional learning, knowledge is absorbed by students through methods like instruction worksheets and assessments.	Knowledge is absorbed by students through methods like play experience and social interaction.
In this method, learning is based on and derived through the recall and memory power of the students.	Learning is derived through the application of concepts learned over and through collaboration.
Traditional learning tests students' linguistic logical and mathematical abilities as a measure of intelligence.	Progressive learning tests students' real-life problem-solving techniques as a measure of intelligence.
In a traditional learning approach, teachers are considered authoritative figure who conveys the information to students.	In a progressive learning approach teachers act as guides to students as they learn, think, and evolve themselves.
In a traditional learning approach, students are not seen as active participants in the learning process.	In a progressive learning approach, students are seen as active participants.

Features of Progressive Learning

Here are some of the core features of progressive learning that one must know

Experiential Learning: Progressive learning is marked by an emphasis on learning by doing or experiential learning through hands-on projects and active, expeditionary learning. The students are instructed on the basis of the real world which provides context and meaning to students. It also allows students to develop their own understanding and knowledge of the world through different experiences. For example, visiting a zoo to learn about animals instead of reading about them from books building knowledge through pictures provided in the book-

Check Out: Experiential and Joyful Learning in Pre-Primary

Lifelong Learning and Skills: To make learning fun for students they must be taught in an engaging and active way. This way, they develop skills and expand their thoughts beyond bookish knowledge. Students develop skills like disciplinary, and critical thinking and become observant. Thus, progressive learning not only helps to boost their morale but also cultivates a love for learning and skills to succeed in the workplace.
Interdisciplinary Learning: Progressive classrooms employ an integrated curriculum approach where students learn by forging connections between concepts and ideas across different disciplinary boundaries. Encouraging students to apply their acquired knowledge enhances their comprehension of concepts by examining their practical applications in the real world. Consequently, progressive classrooms prioritize a diverse array of learning resources over sole reliance on a single textbook for a particular subject.
Collaborative and Cooperative Learning: Progressive learning focuses on community, responsibility, and participation in projects as a team. This fosters collaborative and cooperative learning whereby students learn and grow as a team from the strengths and weaknesses of their peers. This also helps them develop a sense of empathy, strengthens their emotional intelligence, and improves their social skills. According to a study, top-performing workers spend 45% of their time on the job working collaboratively
Avoiding Rote Learning: One of the key features of progressive learning is that it avoids road memorization, unlike traditional schools. Road memorization may help students to quickly recall what they have learned in the short term, however, it fails to provide them with a deep understanding of the subject. Progressive learning develops a strong base and understanding of concepts which helps students to recall subjects even after a long period.

Delhi Public School, Yamuna Nagar, one of the best residential schools in North India believes in providing holistic education through the approach of progressive learning. Students are encouraged to join and learn while exploring the world of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual learning.

DPS Yamunanagar

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The school emphasizes the development of the educational skills of the students but also their non-cognitive skills. The curriculum is designed to enable students to explore innovative opportunities beyond the traditional academic sphere. The school strives to instill high academic expectations while fostering transformative opportunities for personal growth and the development of a wide variety of skills.

In conclusion, the growing competition in all fields implicitly demands individuals who have the ability to think out of the box and excellent soft skills rather than just academic excellence. This is the core reason why I should choose a school that focuses on building the knowledge of students through progressive learning.

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