The purpose of education according to John Dewey:

John Dewey has so many contributions in the field of education. He stated the purpose of

education in a strong technique. Dewey believes that education should not be a method to only

gain content and knowledge but it should also teach how to use this knowledge. He believes that

education is a means to prepare children for life. The skills and the knowledge the children

absorb at school should know how to practice them in real life. That comes when we teach

children how to trust in their potentials and skills that is how we know that they will participate

in their community.

Dewey also emphasized the role of education in the children’s social progress. The school is a

social group, and teachers should work with society to create social welfare. School should not

only focus on individual goals but also social goals. One of the school roles is to teach children

the good personal traits that the society needs. By doing this, education will create a healthy

society.

Dewy explained that education should be theoretical and practical. These two should go hand in

hand. Yes, abstract ideas should be taught at school, but also should have applications. This could

be achieved by doing activities. He believes that a child will learn better when the learning

process takes a place through the hands, eyes, observation, planning and reelection.

John Dewey`s principle of education:

1- Unity:

Dewey believes that all the things that children study at school should be connected and

relevant to their life and suitable for the students’ needs and interests. He criticized the

rational education is it was detached from the real life. He gave examples like instead of
 teaching mathematic in traditional was we can present it as a way to solve real life

problems such as measuring distance.

2- Experience:

Dewey preferred the experimental learning. He understood the important part that

experience plays in the learning process. He claimed that students can learn abstract ideas

all the day, but without putting these ideas in action they will never understand them. He

sees that teachers should create the opportunities and the activities for the learners to

apply the concepts they learn in real life. This will enhance their comprehension.

3- Interest:

Dewey clarified that students have four min interests: conversation, investigation,

communication and expression. The curriculums that the students learn at school should

include these four interests. He suggested that teachers can design and create activities

that encourage discussions, making things, investigation and being creative.

John Dewey principles align with the principles of an IB education:

IB education is a type of education Concentrates on developing inquiring, knowledge,

confident and caring students. The principles of this type of education align with

Dewey’s principles that we discussed earlier.

The principle of experience aligns with the principles of principled and reflective.

Experience will allow us to learn the skills that we will need for our life and leave the

skill that we do not need that will improve the personality of the students and their

learning process. The principle of principled means to take responsibility of our actions

and their consequences. Reflective means to consider our learning and experience
understand our strength and weakness in order to improve our learning and personal

development.

Dewey’s principle of interest aligns with the principles of inquirers, thinkers and

communicators. Dewey stated that curriculums should include the main four interests of

the students which are: investigation, conversation, communication and expression.

The IB education argues that students should use creative thinking skills to solve

problems and established a setting where students can express themselves confidently

and listen to other perspectives also encourages the students to use and develop skills of

inquiry and research.

 References

Agpaoa, C. C. (2000). IB principles and the Deweyan perspectives on purposes of

education. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/43500256

Drew, c. (2023, September, 9). The 4 principles of pragmatism in education. Retrieved from

https://helpfulprofessor.com/pragmatism-in-education/

Mintz, A. I. (n. d). What is the Purpose of Education? Dewey's challenge to his contemporaries.

https://www.academia.edu/23693775

What is an IB education?. (2012, August). . Retrieved from

https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/cal/pdf/what-is-an-ib-education.pdf