John Dewey-Role of the Teacher Essay

John Dewey An American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, John Dewey (October 20, 1859 June 1, 1952) was whiz of the recognized founders of Pragmatism and a leader in progressive movement in U. S. education during the first half of the twentieth century. The individual being, its relationship with the organizational or societal dynamics as well as the reason or logic most it is the subject matter of progressive philosophy of John Dewey.Cooper (1995) in Wells (2006) states that riddle work out and creating skills, needed for in todays world is emphasise in a progressivist curriculum which should be built around the students need and personal experiences and it is a must(prenominal) for a nurtureer to present lessons that pose a real-life situation to their students. Teachers understanding of an individual should be based on critical analysis evaluation using applicative or true-to-life(prenominal) verification.Dewey (University of Albany, 2006) states th at a person using the problem solving climb and the data-based focus of scientific method to govern their own life was the twist block of how reasonable and ethical organizations operate and that school should be nipper centered with the curriculum and instruction tailored to facilitate the development of the individual. consort to Sidorsky (1977), Dewey called as oppressive the elementary and secondary schools for they do not encourage exploration and growth, olibanum, through his works a number of reforms in schools around the U.S. were implemented to enhance the development of free personalities. Deweys belief (1938) that schools should teach its students how to think rather than squ be uping rote lessons and develop analytical approach in problem solving in real life situations. tally to Campbell (1995), Dewey espo utilize judgment focus schools rather than knowledge should be developed and used in order for school children to become mature persons and can face safe ju dgments on the problems of human living.Further, he believes that schools, as an institution, should inculcate in the minds of the students and put to practice the learned techniques on how to live and work hand and glove and harmoniously with others. As Deweys beliefs focused on the bookmans right to participate on any decision that give venture their learning, he was more concerned with instructors rights as well as their academic freedom. Flanagan (1994) states that Deweys aim was to create a laboratory school where children are free to learn for themselves with an able tutelage from a professional mentor.It was in the old school according to Dewey (Flanagan, 1994) that the teachers forced the learners against their will or gratify in order to learn the structured or established subjects. there were two main teacher functions according to John Dewey. First, the teacher must guide the young learner through life complexities and give them opportunities to learn in the natur al way by means of solving relevant problems. Second, a teacher must also enable the young learner to adequately cope with contemporary conditions and the new tasks, which an unforeseeable future whitethorn bring.In Deweys type classroom, the teachers should plan its lessons in order to call forth students curiosity and push them to a higher level of knowledge frankincense encourage them to learn by doing and to interact with one another, and develop cooperation and tolerance as a virtue. Also, they are encouraged to solve problems on a variety of actual situations which they may encounter outdoor(a) the four walls of the classroom and in the process develop flexibility in problem solving as well as in acquiring needed tools demand for adulthood (Wells, 2006).Progressivists Dewey according to Wells (2006) believes that this approach to education is a constantly enriching process of ongoing growth. The critical thinking skills development can be best achieved through soliciting queries from students. In a progressive classroom, the teacher creates practical activities that would guide the students through problem solving and show its relevance to their lives outside of the classroom. Wells (2006) also states that these teaching methods also include guided breakthrough and hands-on learning.She stated that not only do the students discuss what they are learning, but they also experience it through role-playing. Finally, according to Wells (2006), the progressivist teacher believes that in hands-on approach, children will learn better. Dewey (1938) in Flanagan (1994) wrote that teachers school presence as community member was to select the influences that will affect the young learner and to assist them in the appropriate responses to the disposed influences and not to impose upon them certain ideas or to form certain habits.Further, the teachers business is simply to determine, on the basis of varied experiences and sound wisdom, how the disciplines of l ife shall develop the personality of the child. According to Dewey (1938) it is the primordial obligation of an pedagog to comprehensively understand the nature of human experiences otherwise they will omit in their responses to young learners. In Neil (2005), it was stated that experience arises from the interaction of two principles continuity and interaction as conceptualized by Dewey.In sum, individuals present experience is a function of the interaction between ones past experiences and the present situation. Finally, an environment full of socially-interacting relationships coupled with relevance and responsive to young childs needs is the key to learning. The students, in this type of environment, create relationship between their classmates, friends or between them and their teachers thus facilitate their learning.These relationships make the children more comfortable and safe and in sacrifice they receive good learning needed in their lives.References Campbell, J. (1995 ) Understanding arse dewey. Nature and co-operative intelligence, Chicago Open Court. Dewey, J. (1938) stimulate and education, immature York Collier Books. Dewey, J. (1938/1997). Experience and education. Macmillan. Flanagan, F. (1994). John Dewey. The great educators, First series. Minerva An Internet Journal of Philosophy.Volume 1. Retrieved prove 15, 2006, from http//www. ul. ie/philos/vol1/index. html Neill, J (2005). 500 Word summary of deweys experience & education. Retrieved March 15, 2006, from http//www. wilderdom. com/ experiential/SummaryJohnDeweyExperienceEducation. html Sidorsky, D. (1997). John dewey the essential writings. New York Harper and Row, 1977. Wells, C. (2006). My teaching philosophy. Retreived March 15, 2006, from www. webpages. csus. edu/sac40265/teaching. htm.