JOHN DEWEY Father of the Progressive Education Theory By Cathy Carmack
DESCRIPTION OF DEWEY’S THEORY: Pragmatic Democratic Process Oriented
DIFFERENCES : Traditional Dewey Submissive Contained Dependent Experimental Inquiry Create Teacher: Dictate Memorize/Recite Guide Provide Opportunities to Experience
3 PRINCIPLES: 1st: School is to train children to live in community 2nd: Education is to be instinctive, impulsive-not structured external material 3rd: Lessons were to be geared toward a child’s tendencies & activities
GOAL: Personal Growth and Self Realization To produce an adult that can think for themselves and be a viable member of their community. Someone who responds, not reacts to situations presented in daily life.
PHILOSOPHY: We can’t really know what the future will be in 20 years, so we really can’t prepare students in advance.
“things gain meaning by being used in a shared experience or joint action.” John Dewey ( ) *