This section will briefly focus on who John Dewey is, what his thought on progressive education and how his ideas connect to IB Education.
Fig.1 John Dewey
John
Dewey and his progressive education
John Dewey, an American philosopher and
educational reformer, was born on October 20, 1859, in Burlington, and passed
away on June 1, 1952, in New York City (Dewey et al., 2009; Hull, 2013).
“Democracy and Education” is one of Dewey’s books, in which he argues that
education is not merely preparation for life but life itself. From this point
of view, education is seen as the stem from which a democratic society grows (Connell,
2008). Also, Dewey’s philosophy of education emphasizes the importance of
students’ engagement with their environments when it comes to the
teaching-learning process, commonly known as experiential learning (Hendley,
1989). Even though this model of education has become more common today,
Dewey’s progressive approach is not without critiques. The main critical point comes
from traditionalists who believe that Dewey’s educational practices lack
structure, which might lead to ill-prepared students for the workforce (Dewey,
1910).
As described in the figure below, Dewey's progressive education focuses on student-centeredness. Instead of targeting only academic excellence, education is aimed at holistic student development through various approaches to teaching and learning. Rote memorization is replaced by critical analysis, and teachers take on the role of facilitators rather than 'dictators.' Furthermore, students' learning extends beyond the four walls of the classroom and beyond single disciplines.
Fig.2 Dewey's Philosophy progressive education
Dewey's progressive education and IB Mission Statement
Dewey’s progressive education philosophy is echoed in the IB mission statement, as the four principles of Dewey’s philosophy—learning by doing, discussion, interactivity, and interdisciplinarity—align well with the qualities of inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring students as described in the mission. As inquirers, students are constantly learning and seeking to expand their knowledge of the world. To broaden their horizons, they must go beyond a single discipline, engaging across different settings and contexts, and interacting with diverse nations and languages.
Fig.3 IB Mission Statement
As stated in the mission, the IB philosophy guides schools and teachers in promoting child-centered, inclusive, and interdisciplinary education, which all of them align well with Dewey's progressive education. These features are clearly stated in the mission statement as follows: (1) The IB views students as agents of change, developing them to contribute to the creation of a better and more peaceful society; (2) The IB aims to foster intercultural understanding, mutual respect despite differences, and active student participation; and (3) The IB collaborates with all stakeholders, including schools, governments, and international organizations, to ensure education for all.
In conclusion, IB education has developed over time, guided by progressive education principles that focus on developing students at its core, encouraging multidisciplinary inquiry, and promoting intercultural understanding.
References
https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Dewey
Connell, J. (2008). David
Hansen. John Dewey and Our Educational Prospect: A Critical Engagement with
Dewey’s Democracy and Education. Albany, NY: State University of New York
Press, 2006. 195 pp. Hardcover $74.50. Paper $24.95. History of Education Quarterly,
48(3), 460–464. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5959.2008.00161.x
2 Dewey, J., Hickman, L.,
Davidson, F., Davidson, J., Mercer, L., & Davidson, T. (2009). John dewey:
his life and work., 3-18. https://doi.org/10.5422/fso/9780823230181.003.0001
Dewey, J. (1910). The child and the curriculum (p. 275). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
3. Hendley, B. (1989). Hirsch and
dewey on democracy and education. Interchange, 20(1), 53-60.
https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01808332
4. Hull, R. (2013). Biography:
john dewey., 155-157. https://doi.org/10.5840/apapa2013857
https://www.ibo.org/about-the-ib/mission/
Quay, J., & Seaman, J. (2013). John Dewey and Education Outdoors: Making Sense of the 'Educational Situation' through more than a Century of Progressive Reforms.
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