The History of Education in the US | Part 7 | John Dewey
In the 1800s, the classroom was an authoritarian regime for the most part. The Teacher was the absolute ruler of their domain – and students were expected to sit still, listen, and reproduce information when called upon. Fortunately for 21st-century students, John Dewey (1859-1952) changed all that.
John Dewey was an American philosopher and educator who first advocated for pragmatism in the classroom. “Pragmatism” is a philosophy that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of their practical application in life. He was the first to argue that a child’s education should prepare them for real-life obstacles and expectations.
John Dewey argued that the classroom environment should model a democracy since students will be expected to participate in a democratic society upon completing their schooling. Further, he argued that students should learn by doing – a widely used model across public and private schools in the United States today. This concept was radical at the time, paving the way for Psychologists to understand how humans learn and acquire knowledge outside of simple memory and repetition.
John Dewey was considered one of the great thinkers of his time, significantly contributing to the disciplines of Philosophy, Psychology, and Education. Dewey’s pragmatic approach is now considered essential to preparing the next generation and developing productive members of society.
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