Rethinking John Dewey

John Dewey was an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer who lived from 1859 to 1952. He was one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, and his ideas have had a profound impact on education, democracy, and social change. Dewey's philosophy emphasized the importance of experiential learning and the development of critical thinking skills, which he believed were essential for individuals to become active and engaged members of society. In this blog, I want to explore Dewey's philosophy and how it applies to education today.

Dewey believed that education should be centered around the interests and experiences of the learner. He argued that learners learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process and when they are able to connect what they are learning to their own experiences (early influences of Andragogy?). In his view, education should be focused on developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to work collaboratively with others. These skills are essential for individuals to become active and engaged members of society, capable of solving complex problems and contributing to the betterment of their communities.

• Open Question: In your experience, do our educational systems today build these essential skills?? If so, how and at what point (early ed, secondary ed, post secondary)?

Dewey also believed that education should be democratic in nature (and by democratic, I do not mean political!), emphasizing the importance of a participatory and inclusive approach to learning. He argued that education should be a collaborative process, in which instructors and learners work together to develop a shared understanding of the world around them. This approach to education emphasizes the importance of social interaction and collaboration, which are essential for the development of strong social and civic skills.

In today's world, Dewey's philosophy remains relevant and important. In an era of rapid change and technological innovation, it is more important than ever for learners to develop critical thinking skills and the ability to adapt to new situations. Learners need to be able to think creatively and critically, to analyze complex information, and to communicate effectively with others. These skills are essential for success in the modern world, and they are closely aligned with Dewey's emphasis on experiential learning and critical thinking.

• Open Question: In a world that feels overly polarized and closed to public discourse and fair debate (I DO NOT mean media biased opinions but rather debate as an intellectual exercise with the goal of furtherance, awareness and overall perspective development), has education prepared the citizenry for success as Dewey envisions?

Moreover, the democratic approach to education advocated by Dewey is also relevant today. In a world characterized by increasing diversity and complexity, it is essential that students learn to work collaboratively with others from diverse backgrounds. They need to be able to communicate effectively, to listen actively, and to work towards common goals. This approach to education emphasizes the importance of social and emotional learning, which is essential for developing strong social and civic skills.

John Dewey's philosophy has had a profound impact on education, democracy, and social change, but does it persist in today’s education systems? His emphasis on experiential learning, critical thinking, and democratic education remain relevant and important today. By centering education around the interests and experiences of the student, we can help students develop the skills they need to become active and engaged members of society. By emphasizing collaboration and inclusivity, we can help students develop the social and civic skills they need to navigate a rapidly changing world.?

All things considered, maybe it is time to rethink John Dewey and his philosophy on education.