Introduction
The early education system for the children is the outcome of the influences of many theorists put forward by some great theorists like Froebel, Montessori, Dewey, and many more. Friedrich Froebel created the kindergarten's system, which is the building block of the modern education system (Bruce, 2015). On the other hand, Maria Montessori devised a method of education, where the children are provided with the natural environment; to support their natural desires to acquire skills and knowledge. Many such early theories still seem relevant in the contemporary education system. These education theories are like the building blocks of education that are still crucial in making the education system policies relevant and valid. This WebQuest discusses some of the early theories of education and their impact on education.
Task
Following are the main tasks of this WebQuest: -
- The students will learn some early theories of education.
- The students will learn how these theories affected the contemporary education system.
- The student will learn how these theories affected the role of an early childhood educator.
Process
Froebel’s Theory and its Effect on Contemporary Education
Froebel suggests in his education theory that the early years of every child are crucial for his overall development. He assumes that children are like small plants that need natural environment and care to grow properly (Zuckerman, 2010). He developed a series of gifts that could be provided to the children for doing any task or as a gift of development. The gifts were actually the learning tools that were relevant to the specific age of the children, which could help in their self-development and actualization. The contemporary education system has a great influence of Froebel’s kindergarten education system. Kindergarten is the very first classes that are named after his education system.
Froebel’s theory of education is the major building block of pedagogy. Pedagogy refers to the knowledge and qualifications of the teachers, who are selected for providing the education to the children. Froebel’s pedagogy is based on his experience of religion, faith, and experience. He believed that the main purpose of education is to understand the relationship between the creatures and the creator himself, i.e. God. For instance, a flower has many parts of wholeness like its petals, stem, roots, leaves, etc. The relationship between the wholeness and parts to that with parts to wholeness is crucial for seeking true knowledge (Hargreaves, Robson, Greenfield, & Fumoto, 2014). According to him, all teachers must recognize their uniqueness, potential, and capacity to teach children. The teachers in the modern education system can learn the basics of providing early education to children. They learn through this theory for how some common teaching strategies like using toys, tasks, and encouragement to children could be helpful in their early education.
Montessori’s Theory and its Effects on Education
Dr. Marria Montessori was the famous physician who developed the system of education, focusing on the natural interests and curiosity of children. Being a physician, Montessori understood the importance of child paediatrics and psychology. Her theory of education refers to the child-centric approach of education, where every child is the main focus; provided with utmost importance during teaching (Lillard, 2013). In this approach of education, instead of the teacher making all the decisions, the children gets some autonomy for what they learn during the class. The classrooms in the Montessori education system are set up to encourage the children for productive playing, i.e. to learn something from playing. Such classrooms are filled with puzzles, art supplies, and games that could allow the children to learn.
The Montessori theory is still in place in the contemporary education system. It is widely used to teach the common children and also the children with some mental conditions like autism or ADHD. It helps the children to create a sense of curiosity within the minds of children while encouraging discovery-based learning. The teachers are also provided with the common training of Montessori education system; to let them help the children increase their curiosity in learning.
Dewey’s Theory and its Effects on Education
John Dewey was the famous professor who taught at the University of Michigan. His theory of education depends upon the progressive approach of education. Progressive approach refers to the way of education that emphasizes to learn by doing. Dewey believed that human beings are capable of learning anything through the hands-on approach or pragmatism (Schmidt, 2010). Pragmatists believe that the reality of anything must be experienced if human beings want to learn about that thing. It means that all students must interact with their environment to learn. Dewey's theories have a great impact on contemporary education; in fact, he is known as the father of progressive education, which is one of the building blocks of the contemporary education system. His learning approaches are still used to promote student engagement in classrooms, with the help of new technologies. It also has a great influence to train teachers. The teachers can learn from his approach for how to train the students to remain engaged in classrooms, with the help of tools like the internet, e-mail, chat rooms, etc.
Personal Experience in Designing the WebQuest
I am not much acquainted to the internet and social networking channels. I hardly use them because I feel a bit scared to use social networking channels. I hardly update any images on Facebook or upload any videos on YouTube. This was the first time I have written a WebQuest on the internet. Earlier, I have had to face many issues of how to write a WebQuest. I tried to search the most relevant website, where I could easily write a WebQuest. I searched Google for many times, and then stumbled upon this website “createwebquest.com.” I was still not confident about writing a WebQuest because I do not know how to write one. Then, I searched for some videos related to "how to write a WebQuest," and then finally, after getting enough knowledge, I have written this one. I am excited now that I have written a WebQuest all on my own. My overall experience of writing this WebQuest has been positive.
Conclusion
The introduction of new technologies are making the education system more powerful. However, every student and teacher must learn the pros and cons of the use of new technologies in education. This paper discusses some of the early education theories that are still relevant to the contemporary education system. It can be said in conclusive remarks that all teachers and students must learn these theories; to bolster their skills and expertise.
Credits
Bruce, T. (2015). Friedrich Froebel and his theories of education. The Routledge International Handbook of Philosophies and Theories of Early Childhood Education and Care, 1(7), 43-49.
Hargreaves, D. J., Robson, S., Greenfield, S., & Fumoto, H. (2014). Ownership and autonomy in early learning: The Froebel research fellowship project. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 12(3), 308-321.
Lillard, A. S. (2013). Playful learning and Montessori education. NAMTA Journal, 38(2), 137-174.
Schmidt, M. (2010). Learning from teaching experience: Dewey’s theory and preservice teachers’ learning. Journal of research in music education, 58(2), 131-146.
Zuckerman, O. (2010). Designing digital objects for learning: lessons from Froebel and Montessori. International Journal of Arts and Technology, 3(1), 124-135.