John dewey (1859 1952) Educational Thoughts and Contribution

John dewey (1859 1952) Educational Thoughts and Contribution

1. John Dewey (1859-1952): Educational Thoughts and Contribution Dr.M.Deivam Assistant Professor Department of Education The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University) Gandhigram , Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu – 624 302

2. John Dewey (1859-1952)

3. Life history John Dewey was born in Vermont in England in 1859 . His father was an ordinary shop-keeper. He was brought up in rural environment. He disliked traditional methods of schooling . He had always something new and different to say at the time of discussions. In 1879 , he graduated from Vermont University . He got his Ph.D. degree in philosophy at johns Hopkins University. He joined the University at Michigan as a lecturer in philosophy .

4. Cont., In 1894, he was appointed Head of the Department of Philosophy in the University of Chicago. Herein 1896, he founded his ‘Experimental School’ known as laboratory. His ideas had a considerable influence over the American system of education. From 1904 to 1930 he worked as a Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University . During this time he visited Japan, China, Turkey, Russia and many other countries.

5. Cont., He contributed articles of different types for educational journals and magazines. After his retirement, he remained as Professor Emeritus till his death in 1952.

6. Famous books written by John Dewey A school and Society, The school and the Child, School of Tomorrow, Democracy and Education, The Child and the Curriculum, Reconstruction in Philosophy, Education Today, My Pedagogic Creed, Experience and Nature, The Quest for Certainty, Human Nature and Conduct etc., An introduction to Social Psychology.

7. Aims of Education To develop an ability to understand and analyse the problems; To develop skills for intelligent application of knowledge and insight into solving problems To arouse interest through planned experiences; To help in the adjustment to changing needs and ideals of society School should give moral education through social related activities. School should be the reflection of society . It should change according to the situation.

8. John Dewey general philosophy Everything is tentative or provisional; Nothing is ultimate ( Onthology ) Truths also change. What is truth today may not be true tomorrow ( Epistomology ) There is no eternal or absolute values. All values change with time and space. (Axiology) Man’s life is a series of experiments and purposeful actions. Knowledge is always a means, never an end in itself. It is purely instrumental. Knowledge and thinking are related with action; Dewey holds that barriers of creed, religion, language, race, colour and nationality have divided humanity and separated man from man.

9. Pragmatism Founded by Charles S. Peirce(1839-1914), William James(1842-1910) and John Dewey(1859-1952) The term ‘pragmatic’ coined and used by Peirce but linked pragmatism with education by Dewey. Fundamental principles of pragmatism No ultimate value, formation of value during the course of activity Emphasis on experiment in life for practical implication Emphasis on the principle of practical utility Reality always in the making process

10. Functions of Education Education is a process of growth Education is life and life is education Education leads towards social efficiency Experience is the basis of his philosophy

11. Teaching methods Knowledge and thinking joined with action. Mind is thinking when problem based. Learning by doing Hands on problem solving Experimenting Projects Direct Experience and Activity Method ( the functions of school is to provide an environment and improvise activities for learning through the use of their senses) Children’s interest (Dewey also emphasised self-education, self-learning, paly -way technique and motivation)

12. Curriculum No fixed curriculum He believed that curriculum should reflect the social life of the child and his activities in societies. Curriculum should bring the disciplines together to focus on solving problems in an interdisciplinary. He emphasised life related subjects like handcraft, science, Economics etc., The curriculum should be constructed keeping in view the innate tendencies, interest, and capabilities of the child.

13. Discipline Social discipline : Man to think and behave according to social norms. Democratic environment is its freedom Self-discipline is the true discipline Discipline is to be enforced through social acceptance or rejection . ( Eg . An indiscipline child will not be allowed by his peers to participate in games or projects)

14. Role of Teacher Teacher to be the servant of the society whose duty is to lay foundation of a good social life. He is the provider of settings, conducive to learning Guide Stimulus F acilitator

15. Contributions to Educational Practices • Given a progressive outlook to education • Living and doing itself is education • Preparation for life through life experiences • Social efficiency • Child centered education • Core curriculum, integrated curriculum and activity curriculum • Democracy in education • Experimental school

16. Limitation The project method advocated by Dewey is highly expensive and time consuming. As the teacher’s function is all expansive, it is very difficult to get such type of talented teachers Knowledge attained by students in the project method is very slow Dewey’s pragmatic approach is severely criticised as it gave all importance to human purposes in life and neglected completely the eternal values.

17. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. Education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.” - John Dewey