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Period: 600 BCE to 476
Ancient Times
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480 BCE
The Elder Sophists
Ancestors of modern educational technology
First "freelance teachers"
First recorded instance of mass instruction
Major influence of the development of "liberal arts"
Group instruction; lecture, debate, discussion -
Period: 476 to 1450
The Middle Ages
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1100
Abelard
A major influence on EdTech
Logical analysis (pros/cons) prime instructional method
Intellect over senses
Led to Scholastic Method (teaching students HOW to aquire knowledge) -
Period: 1450 to
Early Modern Era
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Comenius
First true forerunner of modern educational technology
Nature offered the key to biological, cognitive, and moral dev
Learner worked with natural objects and studied practical things
First to espouse the value of educating young children
Schools should be cheerful places, with sympathetic teachers -
Period: to
Modern Era
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Pestalozzi
Hugely influential, first to anticipate system of instruction
Emphasis on sensory learning (via object-orientated teaching)
Gradual progression from simple to complex (like Comenius)
Group instruction (like Lancaster)
Observation (not drill); sympathetic teachers; happy schools -
Herbart
Created a systematic psychology of learning (unique contribution!)
Extended sensory method to include intellectual level of learning
Was a return to intellectual methods like the Elder Sophists
Key idea: teachers can assimilate new concepts with old ones
Instruction required the right presentation of a sequence of ideas -
Fröbel
Creator of kindergarten
Influenced by Pestalozzi (lived and worked with him)
First educator to extol the value of socialization as a teaching method (e.g. “morning circle”)
Sensory focused; concept of “gifts” (games, mechanical models)
Frobel’s influence spread throughout Europe and US -
Lancaster
Lancasterin Monitorial Instruction
Introduced order and system into method of instruction
Still has a huge influence of schools today
Mass instruction, highly segmented, lockstep
Subject matter organized by grades of group instruction -
Bosco
Focused on the plight of Italian street children who were being exploited for labor
Created the 'Oratory' where children could gather, play, learn
Educational principles: 'be reasonable', 'be kind', 'believe' and 'be generous in service'
Had a huge influence on progressive education -
Reddie
Founded Abbotsholme School in 1885 in England
Rejected rote learning, classical languages and corporal punishment
Studies focused on modern languages and the sciences and arts with a program of physical exercise, manual labour, recreation, crafts and arts
Schools based on his method established throughout Europe, especially Germany -
Dewey
Strongly influenced by the the ideas of Fröbel and Herbart
School as a form of community life and education must take into account that the student is a social being
The teacher is a member of the community, not an authority. Acts as a facilitator
Promoted the idea that children cannot learn without motivation
Dewey had wide-reaching influence, inspiring play-based curriculums in small schools throughout America -
Parkhurst
Developed the Dalton Plan to reform current pedagogy and classroom management
Break the teacher-centered lockstep teaching
Classroom as laboratory; a place to learn, explore areas of interest
Benches replaced with large tables to facilitate co-operation and group instruction
In the 20s and 30s, Dalton education spread throughout the world and still popular in Netherlands, China and Japan -
Steiner
Developed Steiner education, also known as Waldorf education
Focus on education is to create developmentally appropriate curriculum
Integrate practical, artistic, social, and academic experiences
Holds sway today, especially popular form of homeschooling -
Montessori
Heavily influenced by Pestalozzi and Fröbel (sensory exploration and manipulatives)
Sought a way to help deeply impoverished children of Southern Italy
Developed, what she called “scientific pedagogy"
Individualized curriculum with a high degree of freedom of movement and activity/choice (motivates and fosters autonomy)
Made materials highly accessible to children; free to manipulate
Her educational method is in use today in many public and private schools globally