Rediscovering Dewey: A Reflection on Independent Thinking

STEVEN SIMPSON

ISBN: 978-1-885473-61-5 SIZE: 6 x 9 PAGE COUNT: 224

“Dewey inspired me with a grand fresh idea about teaching, and it has been a while since I’ve been inspired with a fresh idea about my teaching.  I have no interest in running for political office.  I take care of my family, I serve on the boards of a couple of community environmental groups, I write, AND I teach.  That’s what I do, and it’s what I want to do.  If a critical mass of teachers valued democracy and communication and cooperation and believed that their jobs were to create a society where friendship, beauty, and knowledge were the bywords and individual student success was the goal, I would want to be of part of that.” 

John Dewey believed in education, and he believed in American participatory democracy.  Simpson uses personal anecdotes, Dewey’s extensive writings, and even Chinese legends to discuss Dewey’s ideas about teaching democracy, independent thinking, and a sense of community.  They are as relevant today as when they were written.

___________________________________________

Table of Contents

Publisher’s Note Prologue  Chapter One: Dewey 101 Chapter Two: Dewey on Student Freedom and Educator Guidance Chapter Three: A Comparison of Dewey and Thoreau  Chapter Four: Mr. Democracy Dewey on Democratic Education Chapter Five: Mr. Science Dewey on Science Education, Cooperative Learning, and Service Chapter Six: The Common People’s Educator Dewey on Work and Play, the Liberal Arts and Vocational Education Chapter Seven: Why Some Educators Think Dewey is Wrong Chapter Eight: Why Some Educators Think Dewey is Needed Now More Than Ever Notes  Bibliographic Essay Acknowledgments About the Author Index