Dewey Hunter Theories
...schools of thought. The following presents the different ideas embraced by the two psychologists. In addition, after studying both of their theories, I have formulated my own philosophy which encompasses ideas from both philosophers.
John Dewey was a man who made a dramatic impact on the way curriculum design is viewed today. Dewey was born in Vermont in 1859 and throughout his lifetime he became well known as a philosopher, educator and psychologist. Many of Dewey's ideas evolved from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and the idea of pragmatism. Pragmatism is the process of utilizing practical approaches to solving problems. Dewey once stated "We cannot solve such problems by habitual actions and thoughts. We must use intelligence to overcome obstacles." He felt that science played a big part in the educational development process and viewed science as a method of probing into the behavior of things. From this idea of environmentally-based, active, hands-on learning, he began to develop a theory which became known as the Progressive Education Theory. This was the process of transforming curriculum from rote memorization to active student participation. Dewey believed that students should involve themselves in activities that stimulate their interest, and which create a desire to learn within them. Some of the activities that Dewey embraced as productive exercises were folding, cutting, pricking, measuring, molding, modeling, pattern-making, heating and cooling, and the operations characteristic of such tools as the hammer, saw, file, etc. Outdoor exercises, gardening, cooking, sewing, printing, book-binding, weaving, painting, drawing, singing, dramatization, story-telling, reading and writing are all believed to be socially based activities that stimulate the students need to learn. Dewey emphasized that it is the teacher's responsibility...
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