On The Change In The Way Their Knowledge Of Learning Assumptions

The dissertation includes three standpoints:Firstly,to check the internal relations between the learning approach and the theory of knowledge. The spectator theory of knowledge determines the reception learning. It also changed the active learning into active listening or active reception. The participant theory of knowledge proposed the approach of project-based learning. The approach of project-based learning has been accepted in the curriculum reforming of elementary education in China.The reception learning style would not transformed into project-based learning,unless the spectator theory of knowledge is replaced by the participant theory of knowledge. The educational history has proved this point.Secondly,the author found that the spectator theory of knowledge originated the idea of 'ALL IS ONE',which was pursued by the Greek philosophy. The theory of knowledge translated the constantly changing nature and world into 'prior essence'. The Greek philosophy such as Socrates,Plato and Aristotle all believed that the 'prior essence' exited behind the appearance. Knowing is to see the 'prior essence' through the appearance. It was the typical spectator theory of knowledge,which was mooched by John Dewey.The spectator theory of knowledge has prescribed the reception learning as the basic learning style for a long time. And the theory of knowledge echoed throughout the modern science.By the spectator theory of knowledge,the Greek liberal education,the modern education,the 'meaningful learning' upheld by Ausubel and the 'discovery learning' by Bruner belongs to the field of 'reception learning'. The study unexpectedly found that the learning style supported by Socrates is the classical 'reception learning'. On the contrary,the Sophist suggested a 'project-based learning' to some extend.Thirdly,the author found that the participant theory of knowledge began with refusing the 'prior essence'. Refusing the 'prior essence' not only changed the perspective of the nature,but also liberated the learner. Because the 'prior essence' is not trusted,the knowing becomes a personal activity instead of a spectator of pure objectivity. Thus,the personal factor include personal zeal,the personal inquiry,the personal opinion is built into the knowledge. To know is to construct knowledge in a individual style. This theory of knowledge is called 'participant theory of knowledge'. That means interaction between the learner and the circumstances by Dewey.The new theory of knowledge makes the approach of project-based learning possible. The approach of project-based learning pays enough attention to the personal understanding during the personal participation. According to this learning approach,to learn is to quest for certainty,to construct personal knowledge,to know with zeal within the uncertain situation. As a universe learning approach,the project-based learning is actually accepted in the curriculum reforming of elementary education in China.