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Influence of Educational Theorists on Thinking in Education

By Cynthia Joffrion

Dated: Jul 23, 2010

This article will assess the influences of Dewey, Lewin, Piaget, and Kolb to the current trends in education

This article will assess the influences of Dewey, Lewin, Piaget, and Kolb to the current trends in education.

Each theorist will be reviewed separately. The review will include information related to each theorists

seminal work followed by examples of how they influenced educational approaches today.

John Dewey

Deweys influence on todays education system is significant. Dewey was one of the first theorists to

propose the connection of education to the meaningful experience. Tenets of that connection can be found

in the curriculum of K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, which embrace the idea of authentic

experiential instruction. These schools provide course offerings that include internship, externships,

work-study arrangements, and credit based on prior experience. The learner is directly in touch with therealities studied. Often, it involves direct encounters with the phenomenon being studied rather than merely

thinking about the encounter or only considering the possibility of doing something with it (Keeton & Tate,

1978, p. 2). The internship type courses provide students with real-world experiences which can be applied

to day-to-day situations. According to Deweys theory, instruction through application has relevance to the

student.

Deweys theory also has influenced the current theory of constructivism. He encouraged the students to

take an active role in the learning process. The constructivist teacher designs lessons which allow students

to be participants in the construction of their own knowledge. Gertek (2004) explains that Deweys concept

of experience as the interaction of the person with his or her environment reflects constructivist

beliefsp.11). In simple terms, learning occurs during the interaction through which the learner gains

knowledge.

Kurt Lewin

Lewin also strongly believed that the experience was a construct of the learning process. Lewin added the

additional propositions to Deweys theory that took into account the interactions of group dynamics, action

research, laboratory training, and the training group. His work, which is related to groups, serves as a

medium for learning how to encourage planned change within organizational social systems. He

emphasized basic values of a humanistic scientific process and authenticity in relationships which offered

new hope-filled ideals for the conduct of human relationships and the management of organizations (Schein

& Bennis, 1965). Today, many organizations planning change use Lewins three-stage change process

model.

Lewins work on the Laboratory Training Model inspired the formation of the National TrainingLaboratory in Group Development. Kolb (1984) explained that the laboratory training movement had a

profound influence on the concept of innovation and on the practice of adult education, training, and

organization development. The training center focused on teaching change motivation and management in

group situations, utilizing Lewins laboratory practices.

Jean Piaget

Piaget is most widely known of all the educational theorists and perhaps one of the most substantial

contributors to the current constructivist theory of education. Marlowe and Page (2005) say that one cannot

overestimate Piagets contributions to the direction, meaning, and understanding of contemporary

constructivism (p. 12). Examples of Piagets contributions include his ideas that knowledge should be

actively constructed by a child, and learning activities should match the level of the conceptual

development stage of each child. Also, several major approaches to curriculum and instruction are based

on the Piagetian theory (Berrueta-Clement, Schweinhart, Barnett, Epstein, & Weikart, 1984). For instance,

Piaget influenced many teaching techniques such as the focus on the process of the childs thinking and the

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active role of the learner (Berk, 2001).

Piagets focus on the process of the child thinking promoted the development of the stages of Cognitive

Development Theory. Teachers use the stages in todays classroom as a way to gauge a childs cognitive

functioning. This permits the development of activities and learning experiences that are at the correct

cognitive development stage for the childs ability to learn.

Piaget recognized that students must be self-initiated and actively involved in learning activities. Acurrent application of this concept today can be found with the teacher designing a variety of activities that

allow a child to act within the physical world. Today, many of the academic curriculum material include

interactive activities and even educational software for the student to engage in self-controlled learning.

David Kolb

David Kolbs work has been very influential within the education system at the present time. His most

notable work is the LSI. The instrument offers educators and trainers the tools to assess and determine

behavior related to environmental interactions, which is useful in determining a match between the learner

and the learning experience. Sims explains that the effectiveness of Kolbs model is contingent on a

dynamic match between the learner and the experience. In support, Tennant (1997) explains that Kolbs

model can be used as a framework for planning, teaching, and learning activities, as well as a guide for

understanding learning difficulties, vocational counseling, and academic advising. Therefore, the inventory

provides the learner with the necessary information needed to support the learning process with direction.

Kolbs measure of learning styles called the LSI has been used increasingly by both education and

business organizations. Kolb describes that the increased attention is due to the fact that very little in terms

of research and studies have focused on the relation of learning styles to ones chosen field of specialization

in college. Honigsfeld and Schiering (2004) explain that empirical results with the Learning Styles

Inventory have shown differentiated learning style preferences in specified disciplines. This indicates that

there is a relation with academic choices, achievement, and teaching styles. Therefore, the information

obtained from the inventory can be applied to learning choices, career paths, and continued professional

development.

Kolbs LSI is currently used in adult learning and development. Healey and Jenkins (2000) say thatKolbs inventory remains one of the most widely distributed instruments used in higher education. In fact,

the tool can be downloaded for a small fee from a number of web sites. Many management consultant firms

also use the model as a tool to develop personal development and planning.

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