Cog Tools Reflection 091414

While reading John Dewey’s book Democracy and Education, it has struck me that I do not believe that I have ever read a book with concepts that are so fascinating in the way they are presented yet are accompanied with so many thoughts and generalizations that I completely disagree with.  While reading Democracy, I have kept a notebook to write notes of what I think and feel at various points.  Specifically, these notes are to help me organize where I am at various points in addition to noting areas I disagree and definitions that I have enjoyed.

In the first seven chapters, Dewey explains some philosophies that were put forth by Greek and German philosophers regarding education and learning theory.  While these were interesting to me (as having never been presented with these theories before,) I also found myself negatively viewing his perspective on industry and his cynical outlook on why education is a goal of democratic societies.

Chapters 8-12 have been enjoyable to read in a great many ways.  This to me is where the book truly turns to laying out his various definitions and keys to aims, the mind, interest, discipline, intelligence, and thinking with regards to education and growth of pupils regardless of subject material.  

I particularly like a definition of interest that he explains as “interest, in its ordinary usage, expresses (i) the whole state of active development, (ii) the objective results that are foreseen and wanted, and (iii) the personal emotional inclination” (p.136).  In reading that passage in chapter 10, I found myself writing “PASSION” and “INTEREST” several times in my notebook with big concentric circles around each and joining each.  I have found that when teachers and instructors can connect a student/trainee’s interest (with Dewey’s three components intact,) and breed passion within that interest/material that is when students will truly be invested and driven in their pursuit of subject matter mastery.  

I am pretty gung-ho when it comes to the way I instruct.  I have found that just as I was motivated more when I was younger by teachers and instructors who shared their love and enthusiasm at presenting new information to students; I can use these methods to enable more positive outcomes with those I train.  I seek to foster excitement for learning, problem-solving, and troubleshooting so that my students can realize their success.

I may start keeping a private count of how many times Dewey uses, capricious.  I'm pretty sure there are other words that could have fit some of his uses of it better.