Progressivism vs. Reconstructionism

Attribute	Progressivism	Reconstructionism
Time Period	Late 19th to early 20th century	20th century
Focus	Social and political reform	Educational reform
Goals	Improve living conditions, fight corruption, expand democracy	Transform society through education, social justice, and democracy
Key Figures	Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jane Addams	John Dewey, Paulo Freire, bell hooks
Approach	Incremental change through legislation and social programs	Radical change through education and social activism

Introduction

Progressivism and Reconstructionism are two educational philosophies that have had a significant impact on the field of education. While both philosophies aim to improve the educational system, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will compare the key attributes of Progressivism and Reconstructionism to better understand their differences and similarities.

Progressivism

Progressivism is an educational philosophy that emphasizes the importance of experiential learning and student-centered approaches. It is rooted in the belief that education should be relevant to students' lives and should focus on developing critical thinking skills. Progressivists believe that students learn best through hands-on experiences and that the role of the teacher is to facilitate learning rather than dictate knowledge.

• Experiential learning
• Student-centered approaches
• Relevance to students' lives
• Critical thinking skills
• Facilitating learning

Reconstructionism

Reconstructionism, on the other hand, is an educational philosophy that focuses on social reform and addressing societal issues through education. Reconstructionists believe that education should prepare students to be active participants in shaping a better society. They emphasize the importance of social justice, democracy, and global awareness in the curriculum, and advocate for a curriculum that reflects the diversity of society.

• Social reform
• Addressing societal issues
• Social justice
• Democracy
• Global awareness

Comparison

While Progressivism and Reconstructionism share a focus on improving the educational system, they differ in their approaches and priorities. Progressivism places a strong emphasis on individual student growth and development, while Reconstructionism focuses on societal change and social justice. Progressivists believe in the importance of experiential learning and hands-on experiences, while Reconstructionists advocate for a curriculum that addresses societal issues and prepares students to be active citizens.

• Individual student growth vs. societal change
• Experiential learning vs. addressing societal issues
• Hands-on experiences vs. social justice
• Student-centered approaches vs. active citizenship

Similarities

Despite their differences, Progressivism and Reconstructionism also share some common attributes. Both philosophies emphasize the importance of critical thinking skills and the need for a curriculum that is relevant to students' lives. They both advocate for a student-centered approach to education and believe in the importance of engaging students in their own learning process.

• Emphasis on critical thinking skills
• Relevance to students' lives
• Student-centered approach
• Engaging students in learning

Conclusion

In conclusion, Progressivism and Reconstructionism are two educational philosophies that have made significant contributions to the field of education. While they have distinct attributes that set them apart, they also share common goals and values. By understanding the differences and similarities between Progressivism and Reconstructionism, educators can better tailor their teaching practices to meet the needs of their students and society as a whole.