Education Is a Social Process. Education Is Growth. Education Is Not a Preparation For

John Dewey

(1859-1952)

“Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Background

An American psychologist, philosopher, educator, social critic and political activist.
Born and raised in Vermont. While growing up, he helped his family by doing chores around the house and at their family-owned grocery store. He found school work to be very boring and of little value. At a young age, he believed that educationshould include hands-on and be based on real-life experiences. He kept this belief throughout his education.
PhD in Philosophy from John Hopkins University.Chairman of the department of philosophy, psychology and pedagogy at the University of Chicago and president of the American Philosophical Association.
College professor at University of Michigan, Minnesota, and Columbia University.
International philosopher, social and political theorist, and educational consultant.

How is he linked to education?

High school teacher and philosophy college professor.
Took part in an investigation of the academic preparation that the state’s public high schools were providing for future college students. The investigation persuaded him that there was a need for a new educational theory.
At the University of Chicago, Dewey founded and directed a laboratory school. The curriculum was based on occupations. Students would take part in real-life activities such as cooking, sewing, carpentry and metalwork. These activities would lead to investigate the historical and social contexts and study of science, history, and range of human cultures.

What is his philosophy for education?

A successful learning environment includes real-life experiences and challenges, so students can actively contribute to their society.

Why is he famous?

Developed the Instrumentalism ideafor education. It is defined as that the truth of an idea is determined by its success in the active solution of a problem and that the value of ideas is determined by their function in human experience.
His philosophy challenged the traditional curriculum.He rejected the idea that education meant preparing students for “civil life” by providing them with facts and ideas that were only to be memorized and then utilized later on in life. He believed that an education should be viewed as an “extension of civil society and continuous with it” (Internet Encyclopedia). Students should be encouraged to be active in their community, which helps them learn to cooperate with others. Self-directed education, which is guided by the cultural resources from a teacher, is the best way to prepare a student to be a responsible citizen in their democratic community.
Author of many psychology and educational books such as The School and Society, Psychology (1887), Democracy and Education, Logic (1938), and Experience and Education (1938). His books influenced future teachers to change their application of the traditional curriculum.

Works Cited

Eakin, Sybil. "Giants of American Education: John Dewey, the Education Philosopher." Winter 2000. General OneFile. Gale. James Walker Library, Murfreesboro. 11 May 2009

Field, Richard. "John Dewey [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]." The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - IEP. 11 May 2009 <

"John Dewy, American Pragmatist." John Dewey. 11 May 2009 <

Neill, James. "John Dewey: Philosophy of Education." Wilderdom - a project in natural living & transformation. 25 Jan. 2005. 11 May 2009 <