John Dewey

By: Caitlin Ehlers

pragmatism is a concept that allows for students to learn outside of the norm. It allows students to learn real world scenarios before they actually enter the real world. it is another way for students to problem solve, by using real world situations.

learning targets:

what is pragmatism?

Why is pragmatism important?

Success within pragmatism.

Pragmatism

John Dewey was an influence person in the creation and spread of pragmatism. He was an educator, philosopher, and psychologist reformer.

In education, pragmatism is essentially defined as, “teaching students things that are practical for life and encourage them to grow into better people” (Rai & Lama, 2020). This educational philosophy is teaching students practical and essential knowledge and lessons for life outside of the classroom. It allows students to gain insight for how life is in the ‘real world’ and it can then better them for their future endeavours. According to Malik Shawal pragmatism is simply put as, “the product of practical experiences in life” (Shawal, 2015). So basically Shawal is agreeing with what Rai and Lama had defined pragmatism as being something that allows students to gain that life experience being in the classroom. John Dewey also linked pragmatism to the importance of imagination in the classroom, which leads to students understanding and learning more about life outside of school.

Pragmatism is important even though it might be a philosophy that is out there to many educators. This teaching style allows for students to be more equipped to handle the stress and speed of life outside of the school environment. Many educators and philosophers thought that pragmatism is used to “dispel metaphysical nonsense” (Aeonmag) but rather it is to allow students to think outside the box and not use an orthodox way of thinking and learning, rather this way they are using life skills to prepare for life. Problem solving is such an important part of the pragmatic idea, teachers who follow the pragmatism philosophy will use “a real-world setting or using real-world scenarios” (Understanding, 2018) to help students solve problems. This is important for students as it gives them a head start to tackling the real world and everything that comes with it. This teaching style helps students comprehend how to act towards others that are not in their school settings.

importance of pragmatism

Success within pragmatism

There have been case studies to test if pragmatism is something that would have a good success rate. Some college professors practice pragmatism and have allowed their students a better understanding of what is to come after college (Newton). With that being said, pragmatism is something that is not practiced in elementary, middle, or high schools as some think of it as a teaching style that will not teach their children what they feel is necessary. However some have started to see “activity the basis of all teaching and learning” (Shawal, 2015). So in a way, with interactive activities it is almost a pragmatic way for teachers to teach their students.

Conclusion

While pragmatism is an unorthodox approach to teaching, it is something that could be very essential to preparing students for the outside world. It can help with problem solving not only in the classroom but also in a work setting or in just everyday life. It is a teaching style that can make students adapt and ready to leave parents or guardians watch and take on the real world with an easier transition than students who were taught in a more orthodox manner. Allowing students the opportunity to be taught off of practical life examples could be detrimental to how newly graduated high school students approach college life or the work force.

Review questions-

1- What did john dewey work to reform?

a- Education

b- philosophy

c-psychology

d- all of the above

2. what is pragmatism?

A- philosophy that only uses textbooks to teach students

b- something that is used only in elementary school

c- teaching students things that are practical for life and encourage them to grow into better people as well as an educational philosophy

answers

1- D

2- c

citations

Rai, P. C, and Lama R. “PRAGMATISM AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION .” INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CREATIVE RESEARCH THOUGHTS, 3 Mar. 2020, https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2003258.pdf.

Shawal, M. “Pragmatism in Education: Study Notes.” Your Article Library, 5 Nov. 2015,https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/education/pragmatism-in-education-study-notes/69152.

Aeonmag. “Pragmatism Is One of the Most Successful Idioms in Philosophy: Aeon Essays.” Aeon, Aeon Magazine, https://aeon.co/essays/pragmatism-is-one-of-the-most-successful-idioms-in-philosophy.

10, et al. “Understanding the 4 Main Schools of Philosophy: Principle of Pragmatism.” The Edvocate, 3 Sept. 2018, https://www.theedadvocate.org/understanding-4-main-schools-philosophy-principle-pragmatism/.

Newton, P. M., et al. “The Case for Pragmatic Evidence-Based Higher Education: A Useful Way Forward?” Frontiers, Frontiers, 1 Jan. 1AD,

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2020.583157/full.

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