PROGRESSIVISM 1
Progressivism as an Educational Philosophy
NAme
School of Education, Liberty University
Abstract
Progressivism in education, first introduced by John Dewey, emphasizes that students learn
most effectively when actively engaged, inquiry, and experiences are connected to their daily
lives. A student-centered approach fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and lifelong
learning by encouraging learners to construct knowledge through exploration, reflection, and
real-world problem-solving, rather than relying on memorization. Progressivism integrates
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learning development through social-emotional connections and collaboration, preparing
students to navigate diverse and interconnected societies. Modern educational practices, such
as inquirydriven learning, continue to reflect Dewey’s ideals; however, successful
implementation depends on teacher effectiveness, adequate resources, and inclusive
approaches that address the problems in education today. By balancing student-centered
learning with foundational guidance and equitable access, progressivism remains a dynamic
philosophy that enables adaptability and lifelong learning.
Progressivism
Education has long been shaped by debates over how students learn best, and one of
the most influential responses to this question is progressivism. The educator John Dewey
emphasized progressivism, which states that learning occurs when students actively engage
with their environment rather than passively absorbing information. In this approach,
knowledge is constructed through experiences that challenge students to ask questions, test
ideas, and draw meaning from their interactions with the world around them, thereby fostering
critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal relevance, rather than solely focusing on
memorization. Teachers who adopt this philosophy play a central role by creating learning
opportunities that are rooted in students’ interests and daily experiences, ensuring that
education remains dynamic and studentcentered. Ultimately, progressivism argues that the
purpose of schooling is not only to prepare students academically but also to help them become
adaptable, reflective individuals who can navigate an ever-changing society.
Summary and Historical Context
Progressivism in education is rooted in John Dewey’s philosophy of learning through
experience and inquiry, and continues to evolve and be relevant in education today. “His
pioneering philosophy of education in the context of the social, political, scientific, and
technological changes taking place in the United States (Ornstein et al., 2017, section 4-7)”.
Progressivist ideas are often connected with experiential learning, 21st-century skills, and
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student engagement through authentic, active tasks rather than passive or purely content-based
lectures.
Kolb’s cycle critiques traditional models of experiential learning for treating learning as
episodic rather than recognizing how students’ prior experiences and future growth
interconnect with present educational tasks. This reconceptualization employed lifelong
learning over discrete events, aligning with progressive ideals of ongoing reflection, student
agency, and the integration of experience across time. (Egan et al.,2023).
Dewey’s rejection of a closed classroom instead insisted that the school was developed
for community and to solve problems, utilizing the scientific method to produce thinking and
learning from one another. This highlights the value of connecting philosophy and sociology
with education, where knowledge can be both self-critical and transformative. This aligns with
the progressive aim of fostering problem-solving, inquiry, and lifelong learning as central to both
personal and social development. By synthesizing knowledge and experience, progressive
education preserves Dewey’s vision of education as an open-ended process, ensuring that
students engage critically with the world while cultivating the democratic habits needed. (Nigel,
2023)
Critical Analysis
John Dewey’s philosophy emphasizes that students learn best through active
engagement, inquiry, and experiences that connect to their daily lives. Dewey argued that
schools should prepare learners not only academically but also socially, equipping them to
adapt and contribute to societal life. His student-centered view remains influential, shaping
modern approaches such as experiential learning and problem-based learning, while
highlighting the enduring importance of fostering curiosity and reflection in education. (Nigel,
2023) Similarly, student-centered learning has been associated with greater engagement and
long-term retention of knowledge, which reinforces the relevance of progressivism.
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Evidence shows that inquiry-based instruction can improve motivation, attitudes toward
learning, and conceptual understanding more effectively than traditional lecture-based models.
The use of hands-on explorations and discussions enabled students to engage in the process of
scientific inquiry by formulating and exploring ideas, which in turn changed their attitudes due
to the excitement generated by this approach. (Kustusch et al., 2023, p. 6) This reinforces the
relevance of progressivism in cultivating skills in both academic settings and for lifelong learning.
Progressivism remains a dynamic and evolving philosophy that aligns with educational
priorities, but its effectiveness depends on the teacher’s effectiveness and preparation, as well
as the availability of adequate resources. “Equality largely adopts a ’one-size-fits-all’ approach,
while equity requires differentiated support systems to account for structural disadvantages
(Foster et al., 2025)”. Tensions arise with progressivism as teachers’ effectiveness and
instructional design should incorporate inquiry-based lectures. Dewey’s vision of education as
an open-ended and reflective process continues to inspire educators today, despite limitations
arising in fully capable classrooms and teachers.
Comparison of Educational Philosophy with Personal Educational Beliefs
My personal beliefs about education align closely with progressive philosophy in several
ways. Education should be student-centered, emphasizing active engagement, critical thinking,
and real-world application, rather than relying on passive memorization. I share this philosophy,
as I see value in experiential learning, project-based approaches, and connecting lessons to
students’ interests and context. “To learn to learn, or meta-learning, involves a cyclic and
progressive process that sets in motion the different levels of knowledge and the corresponding
types of memory (Riffert & Petrov, 2022, pp. 229/230).”These approaches not only promote a
more profound understanding but also ensure students’ success in an academic setting and
foster lifelong learning.
However, progressive approaches may unintentionally widen gaps, as some schools are
under-resourced and are incapable of being inclusive. While learning is valuable, students still
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need clear guidance, and teachers’ ability to provide structure through foundational knowledge
to support higher-level thinking and lifelong adaptability. My view integrates progressivism on
students’ ability to become adaptable in critical thinking by utilizing an inclusive approach
where they garner different perspectives from multiple cultural and social backgrounds.
(Murphy et al., 2023).
Implication for Today’s Education and Classroom
Progressivism has important implications for today’s education and classroom practices,
particularly in promoting student-centered learning, developing skills, and fostering critical
thinking skills. In modern classrooms, teachers are encouraged to act as facilitators, enabling
students to actively explore, inquire, and construct knowledge by engaging with real-world
problem-based activities. By allowing teachers to become facilitators, it has provided an
environment where students can actively participate in their learning process, cultivating
independent thinking and adapting to modern world complexities. Students' methods benefit
students by allowing them to become lifelong learners.
While this philosophical method emphasizes the importance of social and emotional
development alongside academic learning, it also underscores the significance of inclusive
classrooms. It prepares students to navigate and contribute positively to a diverse and
interconnected society by promoting collaboration with their environment and peers. This
allows teachers to lead a classroom where students engage in collaboration, discussion, and
opportunities to sharpen their critical thinking by actively participating during lectures. These
enable students to mature and become responsible citizens in society by equipping them with
the necessary skills to be independent and critical in every aspect of life. (Education Revolution
Association, 2025)
Conclusion
Progressivism, inspired by John Dewey, emphasizes that students learn best through
active engagement, inquiry, and experiences connected to their daily lives. Teachers act as
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facilitators, guiding students through hands-on and real-world problem-solving that promotes
critical thinking and problem-solving, rather than memorization. This philosophy also
emphasizes social and emotional development and collaboration, preparing students to make
meaningful contributions to society. Modern practices still incorporate Dewey’s ideas that foster
curiosity, reflection, and a deeper understanding of teachers’ lessons, helping our society move
toward a more advanced world.
While my personal beliefs align closely with progressivism—favoring student-centered,
experiential, and inclusive learning—I also stress the importance of structure, foundational
knowledge, and equitable access to ensure all students can succeed. Progressive approaches
can inadvertently widen gaps in under-resourced schools if guidance and support are
insufficient. Integrating progressivist ideals with inclusive practices allows students to develop
adaptability, critical thinking, and collaborative skills while addressing diverse social and cultural
backgrounds. In today’s classrooms, a dynamic framework is necessary to compete with the
environments in which we all live. We not only engage with communities more effectively but
also enable parents to become part of their students' journey to becoming lifelong learners.
References
Education Revolution Association. (2025, February 3). What Is Progressive Education, and Why It
Is Critically Needed? https://ed-rev.org/insights/what-is-progressive-education-andwhy-
is-it-critically-needed
Egan, J., Tolman, S., McBrayer, J. S. ., & Ballesteros, E. (2023). Reconceptualizing Kolb’s
Learning Cycle as Episodic and Lifelong. Experiential Learning and Teaching in Higher
Education, 6(1 - March), 24–33. https://doi.org/10.46787/elthe.v6i1.3607
Foster, J., Hernandez, R., & Patel, S. (2025). Equity paradoxes in student choice and active
learning teams. arXiv Preprint. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2503.17476
Kustusch, M. B., Thompson, B., & Miller, D. (2023). Inquiry-based science and teacher
attitudes: A comparison with traditional instruction. arXiv Preprint.
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https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.04015
Murphy, P. K., Ogata, T. M., & Schoute, E. C. (2023). “Valued” Thinking in Education:
Liberating the Narrative. Educational Psychology Review, 35(1), 35.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09754-0
Nigel Tubbs, Re-educating thinking: philosophy, education, and pragmatism, Journal of
Philosophy of Education, Volume 57, Issue 2, April 2023, Pages 433–
443, https://doi.org/10.1093/jopedu/qhad031
Ornstein, A. C., Levine, D. U., Gutek, G. L., & Vocke, D. E. (2017). Foundations of
Education (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Riffert, F., & Petrov, V. (2022). Education and learning in a world of accelerated knowledge
growth. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
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