Democracy & Education - John Dewey - 1916

For those concerned about the current National NZ Govt's desire to impose National Standards, this may be useful.

John Dewey first published "Democracy and Education' in 1916 [Macmillan paper back edition, 1964, the passage quoted is on page 192]. The whole book argues for a connection between learning in school, personal and social experience and personal growth and development.

Democratic society is peculiarly dependent for its maintenance

upon the use informing a course of study of criteria which are

broadly human. Democracy cannot flourish where the chief

influences in selecting subject matter of instruction are utilitarian

ends narrowly conceived for the masses, and, for the higher education

of the few , the traditions of a specialized cultivated class. The notion

that the"essentials" of elementary education are the three R's mechanically

treated is based upon ignorance of the essential s needed for the

realization of democratic ideals. Unconsciously it assumes that thes

ideals are unrealizable; it assumes that in the future, as in the past,

getting a livelihood, "making a living", must signify for most men and

women doing things which are not significant, freely chosen, and

ennobling to those who do them; doing things which serve ends

unrecognized by those engaged in them, carried on under the direction

of others for the sake of pecuniary reward. For preparation of large

numbers for a life of this sort, and only for this purpose, are mechanical

efficiency in reading, writing, spelling and figuring, together with attainment

of a certain amount of muscular dexterity, "essentials." Such conditions also

infect the education called liberal, with illiberrality. They imply  somewhat

parasitic cultivation bought at the expense of not having the enlightenment

and discipline which come from concern with the deepest problems of common

humanity. A curriculum which acknowledges the social responsibilities of education

must present situations where problems are relevant to the problems of living

together, and where observation and information are calculated to develop social

insight and interest. 

[For more see http://wilderdom.com/experiential/JohnDeweyPhilosophyEducation.html]

Copyright renewed by John Dewey, 1944. Quoted with this apology:I have not sought permission to quote this passage, hoping that the reasons for making it available swiftly for those in urgent need of argument for better education in New Zealand, will excuse this breach. f asked by the publisher or the copyright holders I will remove it from the internet immediately.

Comments

[north pacific costa rica beach]

Our education system has grown and developed in a reflection of the changes in our society in a symbiotic relationship in which one influences the other. Considering such issues as gender, culture, curriculum, testing, and philosophy, how has formal education been influenced by national development? How have changes in society influenced changes in the way in which students are educated, as well as philosophies about education?