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Theories in Education: Dewey, Parker, and Progressivism

Looking around a college classroom, it is less likely that a student will ask the professor a question than it would be if the students were all in kindergarten. Somewhere along our careers in education, the wonder dies. Not completely, but almost completely. Students stop asking questions, but continually feel pressure to produce correct answers. Where is the education system going wrong?

The American education system has abandoned a wide variety of academic subjects for a more STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) based curriculum several times in the young country's history. The Industrial Revolution, the Machine Age, and the Space Race all shifted the focus of American schools to mechanics, math, and other STEM subjects. While there is less pressure to teach strictly STEM, the effects of the educational shifts are long-lasting. Even today, it seems that humanities classes are more focused on grammar and syntax than creativity and imagination. However, there are several schools that move away from traditional learning, adding the much needed "A" that turns STEM into STEAM: the arts.

By art, I do not simply mean drawing or painting. Art describes a creative representation of an idea. This could be through a drawing, but also through a series of science projects that track progress toward a goal over time. Art could be a chemical reaction a student tested for the sake of a larger project, a song written for a history lesson, or a cake decorated to portray a literary scene the minute before it is sliced for a fractions lesson. Art can be so many things.

Several educational theorists, like John Dewey and Francis W. Parker, understood the value art adds to the education of an individual. Proposing that schools embrace diversity among their students (rather than strive for uniformity in the classroom), as well as highlighting the importance of social engagement with material, Dewey and his followers developed the Progressive Theory of Education. Progressivism works to improve the education system by working with the strengths of individual students and creating an environment where curiosity can thrive. Open classrooms, project-based learning, and experiential learning are all central to Progressive schools.

As a future teacher, the Progressive theory is something to keep in mind when considering my future classroom. How can I balance required learning material with investigation and creativity? Fortunately, social studies has a lot of opportunity for projects and research. With some guidance, I am sure I will be able to foster creativity in my classroom that helps my students achieve larger curriculum goals.

Check out a brief history of Progressive education here:


You can also read an article about Progressive education here.

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  1. mbFebruary 12, 2018 at 10:15 AM

    Allison, another thoughtful and interesting post. I want to challenge you to explore various new and creative ways that you can incorpoate this creativity into your classroom. Host a "Future Soical Studies Teachers" meeting!

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