John Dewey believed that America's education system needed reforming. With the urbanizing of cities, factories being built, and family's lives changing at the turn of the century, Dewey though that the children's education should too. One of his most important beliefs was that there should be free public education for all students, without prejudice, from kindergarten to college. As the teacher as the student's guide, he thought schools should focus on cooperation to produce future caring members on society that worked together.
Dewey also believed schools should be the focus on the community and democratic. He saw the importance of science, nature and art being taught to students, and not just the basic reading, writing and arithmetic. His thoughts on specialized and vocation education were that they should be the focus for old students and young students should have the chance to see and learn what interests them. He thought children should have the opportunity to become well rounded students before being forced to choose a future path. Children need to have the chance to enjoy their childhood and shouldn't be treated as miniature adults Dewey believed.
He also thought children had rights; another belief that was new to many people. He thought they shouldn't be pressured to conform to society's but instead be taught to be their own person through their educational interests in and outside the classroom. Through play, games, projects, activities, outside learning, teamwork, and personal experiences, he thought were children's best way to thrive in school and then be successful in life. Most of all, he seemed to believe children were smart and had potential.
John Dewey seemed to have a lot of thoughts on children and their education that just seemed ahead of his time. I believe his theory on teaching children seems spot on though. He wanted to give children the opportunity to enjoy their childhood by learning and growing through school before they entered to real world filled with a job and responsibility. Dewey's beliefs and practices are now integrated in schools across the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment