Education: Social Efficiency and Developmental Democracy Essay Example
Progressive education promotes the idea that learners should be come independent thinkers but also creative individuals who can also express their feelings. It is not only about putting accumulating knowledge but it also about learners knowing how to think for themselves and not only rely on rote learning.
Continuity and interaction are embedded in the progressive education movement. Continuity means that the learning experiences of each learner is nurtured by previous experiences. As such, learners accumulate greater skills and knowledge over time.John Dewey believed that the learner should go through the organization of subject matter. This is also further bolstered by the principle of interaction.
As learners interact with their co-learners and with their teachers, they will be able to further their learning and check whether their thoughts and ideas correspond with that of thei
...r co-learners. John Dewey represented the development democracy school of thought with the progressive education movement. His idea was that individuals should be given enough leeway in learning and developing their skills and abilities.In granting democracy to the learning process, the learners will enjoy the freedom to think about what they truly want without too much constraint from the society. This could enable the society to benefit from creativity and the thoughts and ideas of these independent thinkers. Yet, learners still needed guidance in the classroom, according to Dewey.
He warned against explicit indoctrination but instead argued for the objective presentation of historical facts so that the learners will be able to form their own democratic ideals as they grow up and face life in their society.The Social Efficiency school of thought led by Charles Elliott on the other hand put
a primer on the social implications and the explicit indoctrination of democratic ideals. Theirs is not the type of education that promotes democratic ideals in the presentation of lessons to the learners. This would be better for the society, thus it would also be more efficient in propagating the values and the ideals of the society. True objectivity in reporting of events, facts and figures ca never be attained.
As such, what is needed is a careful presentation of lessons in such a way as to promote good citizenship among the learners as they encounter further lessons. In the twentieth century, where postmodernism seems to be the trend. With the cultural, economic and political challenges that the United States is facing now, presenting lessons, facts and figures in the schools would be more beneficial in strengthening the values and norms of the society.This is not to say that independent thinking should be set aside.
Rather, independent and creative thinking will work better for the overall good of the society with a pedagogy that takes into account the social context of learning and how learners can contribute meaningfully to their society. The debate will go on between the two schools of thought but education will continue to be an important element of social, political and economic development in the United States.
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