A Comparative Study Of American And Chinese Education From The Perspective Of John Dewey’s Educational Theory Of Pragmatism

In the late19thcentury and the early20thcentury, with the industrialization andthe rapid economic development, many different kinds of economic, political andcultural conflicts emerged in the society of the United States. John Dewey’seducational theory took shape in this period. He tried to solve the educationalproblems with a practical approach, with a hope that the social problems could besolved through the educational reform.Dewey’s educational theory of pragmatism mainly includes such ideas as:education is life; education is growth; education is a reconstruction of experience;school is society and learning by doing. His theory opposes the textbook-centeredteaching method and the education which loses contact with life. All his theory andexperiments focus on wiping out the ills of the education which divorce childrenfrom society. He thinks that the talents who can accustom themselves to thedevelopment of American society are worth cultivating.American education has been applying Dewey’s educational theory ofpragmatism effectively. With a democratic and open environment, Americaneducation remains to be on the top of the world. It cultivates interest and creativity,attaches importance to practice and exploiting potentials. It has enlightened theworld and has set up a model in the educational development of China and others.As China is carrying out a strategy of prospering from education and science,educational reforms are being widely implemented with the aim of developing morecreative talents. Dewey’s theory is making an impact on China’s educational reform.Learning from American experience will benefit China’s educational reform.This thesis makes a comparative study of American and Chinese educationfrom the perspective of John Dewey’s educational theory of pragmatism. Throughcomparison, the author also tries to search for the possible ways to improve Chineseeducation in this study. The study of Dewey’s educational theory still prevails.