How History Affects Education

The Reformation

The Reformation contributed greatly to contemporary American education; specifically the growth and development of elementary schools. With academic scholars such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, a greater understanding of academic development based on the growth of a child and their interests, paved the way for socially, emotionally, and cognitively appropriate curriculum for elementary aged students. With practice, and the benefit of time, curriculum and the structure of schooling has been form-fitted to best meet the needs of children in the elementary-age.

It is proven that children learn in a variety of ways. While the main functions of learning are auditory, visual, or kinesthetic, children benefit from utilizing all of their senses when learning. Comenius believed in the origins of what we now call "sensory learning". "Education must allow children to observe for themselves and experience by doing ."(Webb, 129). Children learn through hands-on experiences, which is why play is detrimental to their learning. With studies performed by Comenisu, Locke, and Bacon, educators have a better understanding of the cognitive development and stages of children based on their age. This helps differentiate a platform for curricula across the board and has great benefit to contemporary education practices. (Webb).

Johann Pestalozzi's philosophy to education includes a child's readiness to learn, (Webb, 130). Every person's brain develops at a different rate, meaning that individuals, especially children have a different pace of learning material. This is especially true of the formative years in a child's brain development and shouldn't be construed as negative. In a classroom environment, across the board, all children are going to span across a spectrum of learning abilities. The child's ability to retain the information and apply it is based on their readiness to learn. There is no distinct timeline when children have a light bulb moment when material that is shared with them will click and become real. Pestalozzi placed a great deal of emphasis on a child's emotions in their ability to learn -- which is especially important during a child's academic growth. Emotions can interfere with a child's ability to focus and can impede their judgment. On the other hand, if a child is emotionally content and satisfied, they are also eager to learn and engage. Educators need to be especially considerate and empathetic of children's emotions in the academic setting.

Johann Herbart shared his pedagogical theory of interest, apperception and correlation which developed into his Herbartian teaching methodology: preparation, presentation, association, generalization, and application, (Webb 131). This formative model is used as an education model to structure teaching, introduce material to students, as well as to model and teach students how to apply newly acquired knowledge. This model provided early educators a simple model to start to convey simple ideas to students and expand upon these ideas.

Froebel shared his views that are exponential in this time period and its positive influence on contemporary American education. He believed, "the primary aim of the school should be self-development through self-expression, ....taking place through games, singing, or creative activities that are part of an activity curriculum," (Webb 131). Frobel's insight included the need for children to be creative in their learning environment and the importance of children utilizing their natural abilities to be creative and their imaginations, which makes learning fun. Today, children's programming around the nation, such as Kindermusik, Gymboree, and a variety of others are founded on this exact principle -- of children using their imaginations and natural expression of creativity to learn and have fun. When children are confident and self-aware, they are more apt to be creative and use their imagination as a tool to learning.

In conclusion, the philosophical teachings of these individuals in the reformation have brought great insight to contemporary education as a whole. Teachers are able to benefit from the cognitive studies performed during this time and implement practices in their classroom that entice students, engage their senses, and challenge their creativity for a well-rounded, wholesome learning environment that is challenging and fulfilling.

References

Webb, Dean. (2010). Foundations of American Education, (Sixth ed), Merrill. Upper Saddle River, NJ.

http://www.infed.org/thinkers/ Acquired November 2, 2009.

http://www.radicalacademy.com/. Acquired November 2, 2009.