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Introduction
These days, education presents a pressing concern, as a perspective on this regard has changed dramatically. Some people are opposed to the traditional system, claiming that it restricts students individuality and prevents from developing their interest. They believe that such an approach cannot provide children with relevant knowledge and skills. Students should be encouraged to communicate with peers and form critical thinking, which will help them to orient in the world (Essentialism: E. D. Hirsch, 2016). Others have particular prejudices against a progressive style of education and are convinced of its ineffectiveness. They highlight that the positive outcomes of traditionalism have been proved for many centuries, and for this reason, children should be educated in this way (Essentialism: E. D. Hirsch, 2016). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to describe the two approaches to education and present my personal educational philosophy on its basis.
Traditional Style of Education
A traditional style of education appears to be relatively widespread, and it implies the following scheme: studying, repeating, control, and result. Such an educational approach is frequently used in secondary school. The major objective of traditionalism is to teach students the skills and transmit the information and social conduct, which adults regard as helpful for the future life of the younger generation. Children and adolescents are expected to be obedient and adhere to the answers told them by more experienced people (Essentialism: E. D. Hirsch, 2016). A character from Dickens novel Hard Times, Thomas Gradgrind, appears to be a precise illustration of this educational approach. He claims that it is essential to teach students only facts, as they become the foundation for reasoning.
In general, the traditional system of education is realized in practice in the following way. All the activities and tasks within the curriculum have teacher-centered instruction. The educational program is formed in a way, which helps to receive high scores and grades. Students are divided into several classes on the principle of age, and in some schools, their ability to learn may be another criterion for making a group. Traditional education implies giving schoolchildren direct instructions and delivering lectures, and the learning process involves seatwork in general (Essentialism: E. D. Hirsch, 2016). Consequently, students are expected to receive new knowledge via listening to teachers and observing the given material. Techers professional activity is based on textbooks and lectures, which is the major material within the traditional system.
Students are required to do a range of individual written assignments: tests, essays, research papers, reports, and others, which are intended to check how students have memorized facts. They are provided with objective information, and in general, correct knowledge is perceived to be primary and fundamental in all subjects (Sahin, 2018). A traditional system does not concentrate on social aspects of learning and social development to a large extent (Our mission, n. d.). Students are not allowed to communicate with each other during classes, and socializing is only possible after lessons or in the process of doing the tasks, which require teamwork.
Despite the fact that these days, a variety of approaches to education exist, there is a significant number of protagonists of a traditional system. The main argument for this type of learning regards its age, as it has provided evident results for many generations. (Essentialism: E. D. Hirsch, 2016) In addition, it appears to be clear and easy for teachers and instructors, as they have no questions on implementation coursework and curriculum. Furthermore, today, an overwhelming majority of schools adhere to a traditional framework, which makes the transitions between different stages of education convenient. The last advantage of such a system regards the fact that it encourages students to stick to organization and order. Therefore, a traditional system is based on the assumption that in order to become mature and wise, students should acquire vast knowledge about different spheres of life and science. In addition, in combination with discipline, obedience, and organization, it is considered to provide students an opportunity to achieve success in society (Sahin, 2018). Instead of elaborating new ways, children are expected to follow the trodden path, which guarantees prosperity.
Progressive Style of Education
A progressive style of education presents an opposite approach to traditionalism. It implies a pedagogical movement, which started at the end of the 19th century, and now, a variety of types of progressive education exists. This methodology is based on modern experience and promotes another perspective on the issue of education (Essentialism: E. D. Hirsch, 2016). One of the characters of Dead Poets Society , John Keating, was a proponent of a progressive approach. Being an English teacher, he encouraged revealing individuality in students.
Comparing to a traditional framework, this approach is featured with student-centered character. It concentrates on acquiring only valuable knowledge and skills and retention them. The classrooms are formed on the basis of schoolchildrens interests and ability to perform various projects and learn subjects. Learning groups may unite people of different ages, and there is a practice of open classrooms. The major teaching methods activities, which involve a significant amount of practice (Essentialism: E. D. Hirsch, 2016). In addition, students are offered to conduct discoveries by themselves and perform some tasks in teams.
Progressive education involves applying a variety of materials, which may make the process of understanding and memorizing easier. The instruction implies conducting projects, and it is possible to use the Internet, library, and other available options. This approach is intended to help students to understand the facts and applying them to practice. They are encouraged to conduct an analysis, evaluate the provided information, and elaborate on innovations. Comparing to traditionalism, critical thinking is the key element of education (Our mission, n. d.). Therefore, a progressive framework stimulates schoolchildren to reveal their individuality and apply it for creating new approaches to fulfilling tasks. Consequently, students of progressive educational settings are offered a variety of assignments. They may be required to do individual work in a written form, though a significant number of the learning process involves teamwork in projects and discussions (Sahin, 2018). In general, social development is the focus of this framework, and for this reason, there is a significant number of teamwork and interpersonal relationships.
As it is evident from the description of progressive education, its major benefit implies motivating students to use and develop their creativity and particular interests. The protagonist of this methodology pays considerable attention to this fact, as they consider that it is not effective simply teaching irrelevant information and expecting to memorize it (Essentialism: E. D. Hirsch, 2016). They believe that it is vital to prompt communication with peers in order to explore the subjects, which students are passionate about. Therefore, children are expected to develop a love for education and become adaptive to the changing world. They should use critical thinking to evaluate things around them, discover their unique talents and interests, and use their individuality for elaborating new approaches to various tasks (Sahin, 2018). In addition, it is helpful for creating their own opinion on events in the world and hot-button topics.
Personal Educational Philosophy
In the context of present-day developments, people are offered a variety of approaches for receiving education, which may adapt to their unique needs. In these circumstances, it is possible to elaborate personal perspective teaching methods, using methods of different styles. As for me, I believe that a traditional framework with the addition of a progressive style will provide the best possible outcomes. I am convinced that the most effective approach implies finding the correct balance between obedience and individuality.
I am convinced that learning facts are crucial for an in-depth understanding of the world. It is impossible to adhere to critical thinking without having comprehensive knowledge about different spheres of life and events in the world. It presents an essential base for further objective evaluation. Moreover, I find writing individual assignments important for prompting students to estimate the material explored during classes, revise and rethink it. However, teamwork-based tasks and projects are also essential for learning how to communicate with peers and achieve a common aim. By adding such tasks to the curriculum, it is possible to compensate for the major weakness of a traditional system.
Furthermore, from my perspective, students should get acquainted with a variety of subjects, though in high schools they should pay attention to developing their interests and talents. It will be helpful for finding the best suitable for the job in the future. In addition, it will stimulate them to reveal their individuality. However, before it, they should explore a range of subjects and sciences in order to form a solid base for further development.
Direct instruction should also be an element of the educational framework, as it is useful to teach students to perform tasks in accordance with precise guidelines. They will be motivated to stick to organization and order, and this will become the essential base for their independent research. In high school, students should be offered projects, which they are required to conduct on their own, and this will be helpful for sticking to self-dependence.
Therefore, I believe that a correct combination of different elements of traditionalism and a progressive system will provide students with comprehensive education. Such an approach will allow to deeply understand the events in the world and form a solid base for further development. In addition, people will be stimulated to reveal different traits of their character and interest in various fields. Consequently, a balance between traditional and progressive styles of education may be a sufficient and comprehensive methodology.
Conclusion
These days, a variety of approaches to the education process are offered. There are supporters of traditionalism, who believe in its effectiveness through centuries. However, some people promote the necessity to adhere to reforms, which encourage students to develop their individuality and explore their interests. Both of the methodologies have their weak and strong points, and therefore, the most effective approach would be a combination of traditional and progressive systems. It will allow students to receive comprehensive knowledge about the world, which will include both awareness of different spheres of lives and adherence to individuality and critical thinking.
Works Cited
Essentialism: E. D. Hirsch. (2016). Prezi. Web.
Sahin, M. (2018). Essentialism in philosophy, psychology, education, social and scientific scopes. Journal of Innovation in Psychology, 22(2), 193-204.
Our mission. (n. d.). Core Knowledge. Web.
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