In this book, written in 1916, Dewey tried to criticize and expand on the educational philosophies of Rousseau and Plato. Dewey's ideas never were ...
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Aug 30, 2007
Corey
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A philosophical text on the relationship between democracy and education written at the turn of the last century. Dewey discusses the role of industrialization in forming our educational system, and how this cannot hold up in a democracy. We cannot build cogs for a machine if we want a real democracy, he argues, we must have thinking participants.
Also, what he says applies even more today as tech moves so fast it is impossible to train children for it. What we need to teach, he More...
Also, what he says applies even more today as tech moves so fast it is impossible to train children for it. What we need to teach, he More...
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Feb 11, 2012
Jen
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Every educator in primary and secondary education should read this. Dewey was clearly ahead of his time. If education would implement more of his notions of educating for the whole person and connecting learning to life all students would likely be better prepared for navigating the world's complexities and solving complicated social problems.
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Jun 17, 2007
annette
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about MUCH more than democracy and education. still incredibly relevant and insightful, despite having been written in the early 20th century. arguably dewey's best and most sweeping work. one of the most satisfying reads i've had, fiction and nonfiction. seriously, seriously good. seriously.
dewey would be at my dream dinner party, no doubt.
dewey would be at my dream dinner party, no doubt.
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Jun 24, 2009
My booksense gave me an uneasy feeling when I thought of entering the classroom as a paid educator in the USA without reading this book, and, then when I read that some people — very proud of their negative assessments of books — voted this in their top 25 worst books ever written, well, I felt impelled to read this book.
After finishing it, I feel pretty certain that (almost) none of the teachers, professors, or tutors that I have encountered have read this book with any efficacy — A More...
After finishing it, I feel pretty certain that (almost) none of the teachers, professors, or tutors that I have encountered have read this book with any efficacy — A More...
Apr 26, 2009
I have just started D&E recently. Dewey's analysis of the learning process offers specific insight into people as social beings, learning through their communication and experience with those around them. He look at education as something that goes beyond "schooling."
Nov 23, 2011
Kelli
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Dewey (not of the decimal system) makes the case for the necessity of education for a democratic society. He was very prolific, and part philosopher, part psychologist. The book itself is pretty dry, but his points a valid and still relevant today.
Jun 03, 2011
Dimitra
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It is a must-have book for those arguing that democracy and dialogue should regain the place they diserve in classroom practice.
Jan 26, 2012
Susan
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Good ideas, philosophy and theory, but it's an absolute chore to try to read.
Aug 21, 2008
I've lately pondered my choice of career, and realized I'm not sure if I ever want to be a classroom teacher again. I think I've been disenchanted by the state legislature and the lack of anyone really being able to ease the pressure on teachers. It is just a TOUGH job. But I do love teaching. It is among my favorite things to do. So I'm reading this book to help motivate me to not only continue teaching, but to try and raise my voice about the concerns I have with public education.
Nov 03, 2008
Jean
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Yes, I'm back in school and this is an assignment. Can't believe I haven't had to read it yet. Everyone with any stake in education (that's all of you) should read this book. Written in 1916, yet Dewey still has much to say to us today.
Finished it--I still feel that everyone in education needs to read this. Last few chapters fit in well with my Challenge Seminar content! Epistemology,philosophy, moral/social obligations...
Finished it--I still feel that everyone in education needs to read this. Last few chapters fit in well with my Challenge Seminar content! Epistemology,philosophy, moral/social obligations...
Jan 29, 2008
matt
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Dewey has a way of making what seems like obvious truisms into something far more profound. While his language and presentation can lean towards meandering density, I always came away shaking my head and wondering how it was that some of these changes in teaching modalities still haven't been made almost 100 years later. For me, his influence on other giants (such as Skinner, Freire, Erikson and Fromm to name a few) is immense.
Apr 24, 2007
Becky
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Dewey sucks at writing, but his ideas are awesome.
I think the best thing to do is get like a "Dewey for dumbies" or something. something where they break it down for you so you don't have to read it, because it really really really sucks...it's not like Marx where it kinda sucks but you can get through it it like uber sucks.
I think the best thing to do is get like a "Dewey for dumbies" or something. something where they break it down for you so you don't have to read it, because it really really really sucks...it's not like Marx where it kinda sucks but you can get through it it like uber sucks.
Sep 17, 2007
Sean
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not the decimal system guy. not sure if they're related.
BUT a killer book with really radical implications. if we hadn't just moved i'd whip out my little reading journal (buried in a box somewheres) for some great quotes. maybe later?
BUT a killer book with really radical implications. if we hadn't just moved i'd whip out my little reading journal (buried in a box somewheres) for some great quotes. maybe later?
Dec 26, 2011
Mary Anne
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It is astounding to me that someone had these ideas and expressed them as early as 1916. We can still learn so much from it. The writing might be difficult to get through (you've got to be dedicated to finish it), but it's worth it.
Dec 17, 2009
Doug
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No easy read, but the time I spent exploring Dewey's theories has been well worth it. It amazes me how progressive his theories on education have been considering he wrote this collection in 1916!
Sep 27, 2007
Alex
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If this book were required reading for anyone in the field of education, the United States would be a better place. It seems to be more relevant now than when it was written.
Dec 21, 2008
Patrick
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Awesome treatise by a good man. Public education is necessary to achieve true democracy. The ideas are engaging, but it is also a long, wordy slog at times.
Dec 16, 2009
Elizabeth
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I love everything about Dewey's philosophy in this book. Too bad he pushed it to become federally mandated and ruined it all.
Jan 17, 2008
denise
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Every teacher should read this book at least once. In an ideal world, every teacher should read this book yearly.
Dec 16, 2009
sonita
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The father of Progressive Education... worth a read those with children in the current educationl system.
Feb 10, 2012
Feb 09, 2012
Feb 09, 2012
