Finding the connection

First off, this is kind of like playing 6 degrees of separation with theorists...

Back to more serious business, there are many striking similarities between our new friends.

First, I found it extremely interesting that all of the theorists, with the exception of Vygotsky, all lived very long lives, 80+ years old! Dewey and Erikson were both 90+. I would speculate this was at least in part due to their bond with their work. All of the theorists were obviously passionate about their professions, but they also were constantly striving to learn more, think more, and grow more.

Second, I noted all of their dedications to observation. In an assessment heavy era, I believe we all need to rely on our observations as another true marker to follow. Our lessons will become more inspiring, relevant, and productive if we constantly have not only an idea where our students are personally and academically, but data to back up our claims. It is our responsibility to be diligent, with our students needs in mind.

Third, is the umbrella of child centered education. According to Vygotsky, Montessori, and Piaget, "education should be child centered; education must be both active and interactive; and education must involve the social world of the child and the community" (Mooney, 4). Although this idea seems to be common sense to my belief system, combined with our reading Schooled to Order I can only begin to comprehend how revolutionary this style of thinking and teaching was in their time.

Brendan