1. Western University Foundation of Education
Prepared by: Nhar Pranith Page 1
John Dewy
John Dewey was born on October 20, 1859, to Archibald Dewey and Lucina
Artemisia Rich in Burlington, Vermont. He was the third of the couple’s four sons, one of
whom died as an infant. Dewey’s mother, the daughter of a wealthy farmer, was a devout
Calvinist. His father, a merchant, left his grocery business to become a Union Army
soldier in the Civil War. John Dewey’s father was known to share his passion for British
literature with his offspring. After the war, Archibald became the proprietor of a
successful tobacco shop, affording the family a comfortable life and financial stability.
Growing up, John Dewey attended Burlington public schools, excelling as a
student. When he was just 15 years old, he enrolled at the University of Vermont, where
he particularly enjoyed studying philosophy under the tutelage of H.A.P. Torrey. Four
years later, Dewey graduated from the University of Vermont second in his class.
Dewey’s theories blended attention to the child as an individual with rights and
claims of his own with a recognition of the gulf between an outdated and class-distorted
educational setup inherited from the past and the urgent requirements of the new era. He
focused on learning through experience.
Dewey aimed to integrate the school with society, and the processes of learning
with the actual problems of life, by a thoroughgoing application of the principles and
practices of democracy.
Lecturer: Mr. Soeung Sopha
Subject: Foundation of Education
Student: Nhar Pranith
Class: W101, Session: Afternoon

2. Western University Foundation of Education
Prepared by: Nhar Pranith Page 2
The school system would be open to all on a completely free and equal basis
without any restrictions or segregation on account of color, race, creed, national origin,
sex or social status. Group activity under self-direction and self-government would make
the classroom a miniature republic where equality and consideration for all would
prevail.
In conclusion, this type of education would have the most beneficial social
consequences. It would tend to erase unjust distinctions and prejudices. It would equip
children with the qualities and capacities required to cope with the problems of a fast-
changing world. It would produce alert, balanced, critical-minded individuals who would
continue to grow in intellectual and moral stature after graduation. For my own idea, I
think that his theory is very practical because learning through experience is crucial.
Nobody is perfect and we always have problem, or fail before we can succeed. So we do
not ignore our past experience even it was good or bad. It can improve us and lead us to
success in life.