Education systems and the way they are developed and applied is a traditional topic of discussion involving pedagogy, psychology, philosophy and even politics.

However, there is a model that remains despite the passage of time and the many criticisms: the traditional pedagogical model . In this article we will review the history and characteristics of this educational system, as well as its main advantages and disadvantages.

What is the traditional pedagogical model?

Also known as traditional teaching model or traditional educational model , the traditional pedagogical model is characterized by the marked difference in roles between the student and the teacher . In this type of educational system, the student is a passive recipient of information, while the entire weight of the educational process falls on the teacher, who must be an expert in the subject.

In spite of its antiquity, it reached its peak during the Industrial Revolution, when the traditional pedagogical model stood out for its easy application and for allowing the possibility of standardizing knowledge , so that a single teacher could be in charge of the education of a large number of students.

These were some of the reasons why this system acquired such a reputation that it became the educational model of reference, which remains to this day and is the one that is still implemented in the vast majority of educational centers worldwide, regardless of the academic grade.

Despite its popularity in times past, the traditional pedagogical model is not exempt from criticism . With the passage of time, both students and teachers themselves claim that it has become obsolete; being considered a predictable model, not very stimulating and in need of urgent adaptation to new times.

Development and historical journey

The pedagogical model in which a scholar or expert in a series of knowledge transmitted his or her knowledge to a number of selected students dates back to the ancient academies of the High Middle Ages.

Throughout this historical period, knowledge was restricted to the Christian community, specifically to monks. Therefore, this educational system was characterized by a strong religious and moral base.

For a long period of time, educational traditions remained limited to the religious class and it was not until the 18th century that a first educational revolution took place.

This revolution came from the hand of the one who, until today, has been considered the father of modern education: John Amos Comenius . This philosopher, pedagogue and theologian of Czech origin created a new educational reform that soon spread throughout Europe and awakened the interest of all governments in the education of their people.

As a result of this revolution, numerous theories, systems and teaching methods emerged, so, with the aim of grouping, unifying and generalizing these ideas, the first chair of pedagogy was created; developed by the University of Halle in Germany, in 1770.

Among the theorists of this period Joseph Lancaster, creator of the monitorial or mutual teaching movement, and Johan Heinrich Pestalozzi, who applied the ideals of the enlightenment movement to pedagogy, stand out.

Finally, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, governments saw in the traditional pedagogical method an opportunity to transmit both education and the values they considered appropriate to a large number of people at the same time, so many schools and educational centres were created to facilitate the expansion of universal education.

As we mentioned earlier, the ease of implementation of this system and the possibility of offering education to a large part of the population made the traditional education model a reference system, which led to its standardization and application in the vast majority of schools.

This standardization that took place at the end of the 19th century still remains today, being the most practiced educational system in the world.

What are its main characteristics?

As described at the beginning of the article, the main characteristic of the traditional pedagogical model is that it is based on the transmission and reception of information and knowledge .

According to this model, the best method of education is one in which the teacher transmits his or her knowledge directly to the students, who are a passive element in the learning process.

In the traditional pedagogical model, the weight of the transmission of education falls mainly on the figure of the teacher, who must generate his or her own teaching strategies and present his or her knowledge to the student.

However, there are other features that distinguish the traditional pedagogical model. These include:

  • The teacher must not only be an expert in his or her field, but must also be able to convey the information effectively.
  • The students’ role is to try to understand and memorize the information.
  • The student’s main learning tool is memory.
  • The way in which students build up knowledge is through practice and repetition.
  • Self-discipline is the main requirement for students.
  • Tests and assessments allow the teacher to know whether students have acquired the knowledge.

Pros and cons of this system

With the passage of time and research within the field of pedagogy, it has been discovered that in the traditional pedagogical model there are not all advantages , but that it also has some defects that require modification, as well as the adaptation of this system to the new times.

Among the advantages and disadvantages of this educational model are

Advantages

  • It makes it possible to transmit knowledge to a large number of people at the same time, without the need to possess many educational resources.
  • It generates self-discipline and encourages the development of personal effort.
  • It is the most effective way to transmit pure data such as dates and numerical data.
  • No adaptation process to the teaching is required from either the student or the teacher.
  • Encourages memory processes.

2. Disadvantages

  • It focuses only on memorizing information and not so much on understanding it.
  • Evaluation methods generate frustration and stress in students.
  • Data memorization is often not advantageous for developing the skills needed to deal with the real world.
  • Students’ curiosity and creativity are not stimulated.
  • It encourages comparison and competition among students, rather than collaboration and cooperation, which has a negative effect on self-esteem.
  • It has been shown that most of the knowledge acquired through this method ends up being forgotten over time.