Learning by Doing & "Communities of Practice"
Dewey's views about learning by doing and 'experience' being central to learning is truly modernistic, especially given the fact that he formulated his notions much before the advent of ipads, apps and other abundant learning mediums we have today. Dewey also stressed the importance of instructor lead learning focusing on what he called the three elements of education i.e. school, society and children. A good mix of traditional values and truly useful modern approach to learning is what makes Dewey's principles of Education Technology unique and fascinating. Dismissing the objectivists teaching approach of didactic transfer of knowledge as 'relatively technical and superficial' he emphasized on learning by doing. He made a call for a 'linking science' to bridge theory and practice in the field of education.
I agree Subha, Dewey shoves away the notion that students are blank heads in which teachers deposit knowledge. What I like about his approach, is that the intellectual development of students seems to be valued more than the development of strictly academic skills, like skimming a text or test-taking. Students learn by doing, and learn by interacting with one another, while gaining understanding that builds their character and their curiosity as learners.
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