John Dewey's Influence On Progressive Education

Matthew Komerous

PSY 403

Retrospective Article

04/17/15

American educator and philosopher John Dewey, 1859-1952, had a tremendous influence on America’s educational system in the 1900s. Dewey was perceived as a pioneer of change in his attempt to implement progressive education. Dewey accomplished extraordinary strides in the American education system by designing more interactive classrooms in order to benefit teachers and students. Dewey viewed people as social animals who learned though social interaction with others. Learning increases because the content paid attention to has meaning while book learning or inert knowledge, was not a substitute for learning.

Dewey suggested that knowledge is acquired and more effective when people apply previous knowledge gained from experiences into solving meaningful situations. Education in his eyes is almost a reconstruction of experience applied by using the scientific method. Intelligence is required in order to overcome situations where there are obstacles present. These challenges can be completed

He proposed that students and teachers engage in cooperative learning where both sides learn how to communicate information. One of the three major important aspects of John Dewey’s theory of progressive education was learning is a growth process that is continuous. Another aspect is that schools should not just be solely concerned with the intellectual part of a student, but also the physical, mental, and social aspects of their daily lives. Lastly, schools should be prepared to adapt to each and every student’s learning ability. Some students acquire information at different rates and amounts depending on their current stage of development. John Dewey envisioned the educational system as a place for students to receive opportunities in order to grow not just intellectually, but socially, emotionally, and