Experience and Education
Experience and Education
Evidence shows that different scholars have their own definition of education and experience. These definitions develop different ideas simply because authors have a different opinion. Dewey is among individuals who have developed study on the field of experience and education. Although to some point Dewey’s definition of experience and education differs from other writers, I personally agree with Dewey and feel that he contributed a lot in the field of education. The essay focuses on the aspect of education and how Dewey defines it plus my personal views on his definition.The aim of Dewey’s writings was to respond on the traditional educators who by different means tried to misguide development of the current education. Purveyors of traditional education provided students with an education that made them fail. It was the authors hope to construct a direction that would constructively prepare students in a positive manner. The focus of Dewey was to define the aspect of progressive education and what roles educators should play to ensure learners have the right education, (Dewey, 1998).According to Dewey, education is life and not a preparation to life. Most people mistakenly interpret the concept of continuity of education.
I agree with the author when he claims that experience helps prepare the future of an individual. Acquiring certain skills in the current situation does not mean that the learner will face needs of the future. This assumption has developed different definitions of education and experience in the world of learning. While most people claim that education is just but a preparation for the coming life, Dewey thinks and believes that education is life, but prepares the person for the future experience. Personally I believe that individual’s future counts to every education stage thus education is just but a process that justifies your end, (Dewey, 1998).Dewey explains the concept of an educator. I support him when he claims that an educator should help an individual get the best education. In order to have a pleasant experience in learning, the educator should take the responsibility of preparing the student in the right direction. The focus of an educator is the growth the learner gets from the set education.
Dewey suggests, “The growth should always prepare the learner and open directions for future growth. It should not shut the student from the learned experience but open new learning opportunities,” (Dewey, pg. 36). My views on education focus on the continuity of education principle where the educator should help the student broaden and open new learning horizons that give learner options of learning, (Dewey, 1998).The authors focus on education was on how to provide education to the learner and not the aspect of education. My view on education is the transfer of knowledge to the learner or the discovery on a new concept by the learner. Dewey’s view and my view revolve around on how education should be provided to the learner. I strongly support positive, educative experience because it helps the learner in different areas. With the author, both the traditional education and progressive education enables the learner to have some experience.
His arguments were not the education, but the manner an educator uses experience to help students acquire knowledge and experience at the end of a given situation. Dewey’s worry on education was on how to prepare the young on the past education and experience in order to face and accept the future or the current situation, (Dewey, 1998).Although traditional education helps students learn about the future, it prevents learners prepare for the future. Traditional education funnels past education to the student without developing ways on how an individual should connect learned experience to the reality or the future. I strongly second Dewey simply because education should not only focus on the future, but help the student see reality and manage to connect past with the future. Education process should help an individual acquire knowledge required in day to day survival thus progressive education is the best for students and not the traditional education.
Personally I believe that present should help the learner determine or prepare for the future thus present is the real education. Present focus helps the learner and the teacher avoid disconnection of what the student should get and real life situation. Dewey said, “The way out of scholastic systems that made the past an end in itself is to make acquaintance with the past a means of understanding the present,” (Dewey, pg. 78).Evidence on Dewey’s suggestion indicates that the traditional educator has fewer responsibilities as compared to the progressive educator. For the progressive educator, he should ensure that individual’s learners have what it counts to progressive experience. In summary, excellent education is one that helps the learner get and acquire relevant experience that encourages future or continuity learning. Having this in mind, I second Dewey when he argues that an educator’s sole responsible is to prepare students encounter situations that spur them for future learning, (Dewey, 1998).
Reference:
Dewey, J. (1998). Experience and Education: The 60th Anniversary Edition: Kappa Delta Pi
Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you! Click to Order!
