Dewey 's Theories And Concepts Into School Curriculum

Dewey focused on the individual saying that “education comes through the stimulation of the child's powers by the demands of the social situations in which he finds himself” (Dewey, 1). He believed that you have to tap into an individual’s “own powers, tastes, and interests-say” then that could be used to relate it to past, current, and potential future social situations in which to

Each day school children learn valuable skills and lessons from their teachers as well as through interactions with their peers. Although school, undoubtedly,

In Education by Ralph Waldo Emerson, he discusses how the ideal form of learning should come from a classroom environment in which the child is enthusiastic to learn while also being challenged. Emerson believed that learning should begin at a young age, and that self education was the most proficient way to create academic success. Because he advocated for more independent learning, Emerson also supported smaller class sizes so education could become more personal. Although he felt structure was a necessary component to an ideal academic surrounding, schools should not be overly strict simply for the purpose of efficiency. Emerson’s idea of a personal, yet rigorous, learning environment should be implemented in our school district because it provides many benefits that our school does not currently offer due to its poor academic structure.

An educational philosophy is a personal statement of a teacher’s goals or belief. A teacher comes to the classroom with a distinctive set of principles and ideals that affect how a student learns and expand the child’s potential in his or her venture into knowledge. I believe that education should be active, and focus on the whole child, rather than just the content or the teacher. The three (3) principles I believe that work harmoniously with my educational philosophy are the teacher acting as a facilitator to foster critical thinking, allowing the child’s natural curiosity to steer his or her learning for personal development, and

Jean Anyon discusses the “hidden curriculum” that is distributed in various schools throughout this article. The hidden curriculum is the certain things in schools that are not “a part of the curriculum” per say, such as teamwork and collaborative skills, social engagement skills, manners, or rules. When thinking back to past articles I was able to note that Dewey was typically more concerned with the “hidden curriculum” instead of the actual content. Anyon’s article also helped the readers understand that we view the world by others who influence us. Jean Anyon researched five different schools that were

In the article “Doing School” by Denise Clark Pope , a senior lecturer and alumni at Stanford Graduate School of Education, Pope follows three students from Faircrest High through daily life as a highschooler, to see what it was really like. She then explains her thoughts and research on the different school dynamics and what kind of students they are producing.

Education serves as the foundation to a lifetime of learning. Since every child is unique, I believe that it is important for them to learn in an environment that is both secure and stimulating. By creating this type of atmosphere, the students will be able to realize their intelligence and use it constructively. As a future educator, it will be my goal to establish a classroom that is, 1) non-authoritarian, 2) student-centered, and 3) focused around student experience. These three elements are part of Progressivism, the educational philosophy I plan to incorporate in my classroom.

Do you ever wonder if there is more you could be doing for your schools? Is there more to just the normal classroom setup and curriculum? After recently reading the article “From Education” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of America’s most influential thinkers and writers, I believe his definition of education should be implemented in our school district. He describes current education as militaristic and explains how he believes that learning should be “natural.” By “natural” he means learning through experience. The ideal education experience that Emerson presents is one where students are allowed to follow their interests and gain the information they desire most. Our school district should apply the “natural method” to all of our schools.

Professor, Mike Rose reflects on his high school teacher, Jack McFarland, stating “He tapped my old interest in reading and creating stories. He gave me a way to feel special by using my mind” ( ). Rose implies that school before meeting Mr.McFarland had sucked the life out of an activity such as reading. This is not just with Rose, there are many high schoolers that would say that they do not read anymore. Ironically, schools are supposed to instill the exact opposite of that. Suli Breaks identifies that “If education is the key, then school is the lock”. It does not have to be that way, education is the key to success in which case for most it is sought through school. Education and school are interrelated and are meant to help everyone and therefore should not be about “regurgitating facts…[but about] inspiring one's mind” (Suli breaks) . Benjamin Franklin once said, “tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn”. Accordingly, schools must adapt to the children’s learning styles and involve them in everything so that they feel like they are learning. Grades can be positive if the students are able to understand and have a take away message from each

This stance on education, seek to promote learning and seemed credible, although it didn’t become as widespread as anticipated as viewed in the educational system today. Much of what the Progressive Movement tried to accomplish, seldom exists, however, we do have some private schools that align themselves with the Progressive approach; such as, Waldorf, Montessori and Reggio Emilia. These schools have a selective-based approach, based on the notion that the child would be the right fit for the school and can cope in that type of environment.

Growing up in school, when “Dewey” was mentioned, one more than likely thought of the Dewey decimal system, which was used in libraries. However, that system was created by Melvil Dewey, and while he was an important person, there was another Dewey that impacted education in extraordinary ways. That man is known as John Dewey. John Dewey shaped the education system that we have today by reconstructing the progressive education. Dewey was a philosopher, and educational theorist who used experimentalism, as well as many other theories to change the way the American Education system was done. He lived during the time period where traditional and progressive education were coming together, so he used both to create his own personal philosophies. Once of his major philosophies was relating learning to society. Additionally, he used dualism as an approach to his philosophies that changed the education system. He impacted today’s education system in many ways, with his different ideas still being seen in school’s today. Incorporating multiple subjects into school’s, as well as taking a hand’s on learning approach are two theories that while many other philosophers believed in as well, Dewey used to develop the education system. John Dewey was a model citizen, that benefited society and the American education system in a variety of ways.

John Dewey is known as leader of the progressive movement in the history of the American education system and his book, Democracy and Education: an introduction to the philosophy of education, could be used as a textbook to teach the foundations of the movement. Discrediting all previous educational and philosophic approaches as intellectually incomplete or inaccurate, Dewey first presents a new perspective on the nature of knowledge, education, society and philosophy. One fundamental theme of Dewey’s progressive movement is that education is growth and that growth is, in and of itself, the objective. Rejecting any notion of innate knowledge or of an ideal goal to strive for, the progressive

. According to John Dewey education plays a large role in the development of an individual and it is an element that separates humans from other animals. It is important to try to comprehend what Dewey means by this and in order to do so the following must be done. First, one must understand the role education plays in an individual and Dewey’s notions of education in the areas of growth, direction and social function. Second, after comprehending Dewey’s notions of education in the areas of growth, direction, and social function, one must be able to grasp the distinction between education as a social function and the simple notion of training and what sets these two apart. Third, after being able to comprehend the notions of education and the distinction between education as a social function and training, the idea of why education is distinctive of human life will be further developed.

John Dewey, another educational philosopher believed “Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” (Inc.) He felt that learning took place only when students had internalized what they had gained through experience and practiced it in their own lives. In a progressive classroom, the teacher designs experiences for students with the idea that through experience, students build knowledge and skills. A society of individuals conforming to studying flashcards may be good, but a society of literate individuals consciously aware of why and how the facts on the flashcards and in mass media can solve new problems is better.

Comment on the above statement and explain your understanding of the role of the educator in assisting the child in his development.