PROGRESSIVISM

Progressivism strongly relates to my pedagogical principles. This method works by allowing students to learn by doing hands-on activities and challenging themselves without even knowing it. Since progressivism is a "child-centered" method, it enables the students to be free to experiment on their own. The student has a voice in what he/she is learning, and that is extremely valuable. The student not only has a voice, but the teacher also serves as a facilitator. As the teacher guides the students, the main emphasis is not on content but process, and how to think is more essential than what to think. The aim of progressivism is to educate individuals according to their interests and needs. The curriculum for progressivism focuses on problem solving and learning through experience. It teaches the students to think for themselves and draw their own conclusions. From the review of my lesson down to the assignment, I give my students a chance to learn through using interactive tools rather than just listening to my lecture. Progressivists believe that education should mirror life; that's why the lesson needs an application to a real life situation and the lesson will start by uncovering their prior knowledge. One of the example is by promoting indigenous people's music and culture.

One of the activities in my lesson plan is a group activity by doing the task according to their multiple intelligences. The lesson encourages group work that is designed to prepare them for a diverse world. Progressivist believes the need to respect diversity among learners and differences between individual students. Within small peer groups, for instance, students are encouraged to discuss, share, and compromise. The teacher is there to encourage this process rather than to provide prescribed solutions. Similarly, the learning environment is collaborative and democratic, giving an opportunity for all to speak their minds and receive feedback from peers as well as the teacher.