Your ProgTrad labels are dumb

Your progressive education label is dumb. Your traditional education label is even dumber.

Let’s use medicine as a comparison. The Medicine Fraternity seem to have their disquisitional stuff together a lot better than we do over here in Education.

Humans have been taking herbs for medicinal purposes for millions of years. But does medical science call all herbal medicines a traditional approach? Should we rule out all natural medicines in place of synthetics and argue they don’t fit our 21st century needs? What about the age-old practice of bandaging? No, we keep them because they work in a lot of cases. Evidence and experience tell us this.

Medicine has taken massive leaps forward because of stringent research and innovations in medical sciences. Would it be okay for doctors to ignore them because they consider themselves in the traditional camp for medicine? Not likely. That would be stupid.

Medicine has gone beyond silly labelling. Most of what doctors do is based on the best research evidence they can find. Some practices come from these professionals’ own knowledge and that of their colleagues. Some decisions come down to a doctor’s own observations and experience. And if the evidence says a practice doesn’t work the way we thought? They stop using it!

Whether knowledge and skills are old or new is not pertinent to their efficacy.

If you can only abide new and shiny approaches, your students are missing out on a history of proven techniques, and you aren’t a professional.

If you won’t follow evidence-based practices with a critical eye, and adapt to developments in pedagogy, society and technology, then your students are being schooled for a time long passed. And, you aren’t a professional.

If you’re not Brian Eno, quit labelling yourself and others progressive or traditional. Start focussing on real evidence to guide your practice; research, observations and data. Are you just interested in what’s new or old, or what works?