Which educational practice is primarily characterized by an emphasis on hands-on learning and discovery?

The choice of Progressivism as the educational practice characterized by an emphasis on hands-on learning and discovery is insightful because this philosophy fundamentally centers around the idea that education should be rooted in real-world experiences. Progressivism advocates for active learning, where students engage in projects, experiments, and collaborative activities that allow them to explore concepts and construct knowledge through their experiences.

In a progressive classroom, the teacher acts more as a facilitator or guide than a traditional authority figure, allowing students to take charge of their own learning processes. This hands-on approach helps students develop critical thinking skills and fosters a sense of curiosity and discovery. Activities such as group projects, outdoor learning, and inquiry-based assignments exemplify this philosophy, as they encourage students to learn through doing, thereby promoting deeper understanding and retention of information.

The other educational theories, while important in their own right, do not prioritize hands-on learning in the same way. Behaviorism focuses more on observable behaviors and the reinforcement of certain actions, often utilizing direct instruction rather than exploration. Existentialism emphasizes individual choice and self-creation but may not inherently include hands-on activities as a central tenet. Perennialism centers around enduring ideas and classic texts, typically involving more traditional methods of instruction rather than experiential learning.