The “innovators” and “makers” influenced the development of public education through both positive and negative means. Both were equally responsibility for the problems created and both will be responsible for education reform. The “innovators” desired a public education system based on providing a quality education for all children. The “makers” desired to create a population of workers and consumers for industry. This information is my understanding based on the material read but is not necessarily my opinion.
I teach my students to look at the information available and research the topic. Only after this is complete can he/she determine his/her individual opinion on the topic. I do not believe that one is the lesser evil but that eventually the two will meet in agreement on a teaching strategy that works. This point of agreement can be observed with respect to John Dewey and Henry Ford.
As an “innovator”, Dewey’s education philosophies lead to the development of "experiential education programs”1. Gatto considered Henry Ford to be a “maker” in both sources reviewed. Gatto believes Ford to be an American industrialist with the desire to have “school in America became like school in Germany, a servant of corporate and political management”. According to the Henry Ford Learning Institute, Henry Ford is said to believe “that the teaching of, and learning about, history had to include some understanding of the people, lifestyles, and values of the time, and that history should be experienced”2.
Problem Based Learning (PBL) pedagogy is the point of agreement for Dewey and Ford. Both the “innovator” and the “maker” are listed as contributors to the modern pedagogy. Dewey is considered to have developed the most basic concepts of the strategy while Ford provided funding for the development of such programs through personal and Ford Corporation donations and contributions.
1. http://www.wilderdom.com/experiential/JohnDeweyPhilosophyEducation.html
2. http://www.hfli.org/model/#history
16 years ago
What's up with the previous response? You must have inspired someone out of the U.S. (or possibly in)!!! Or...maybe this is just someone you know who doesn't want me to read the post!
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that you:
I teach my students to look at the information available and research the topic.
This is the spirit of education and learning!
I agree with your point about the Ford Corporation and its philanthropic work, but I can't help but wonder if this was the intent of its founder or if it more accurately reflects the visions of those currently serving on the board.
ReplyDeleteFord Motor Corp established the foundation 2 years after Henry Ford died BUT Ford and the corporation were huge contributors to various educational research programs before his death based on most of the information I found.
ReplyDelete