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Influential People in Education
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Benjamin Franklin - Junto - Library
Early on, Ben Franklin founded the Junto, a club for young men with interests in books and education. From this founding came the first library of the colonies. Prior to his establishment of Junto, Franklin had established the American Philosophical Society which grounded itself in European enlightenment. This establishment prided itself on secularism, science, and human reasoning and was contrary to the current religious dogma of the time... -
Ben Franklin - Cont'
This methodology would influence one of our countries greatest future leaders in Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson would later go on to influence education in a great ways. In addition, Franklin would establish the first English Academy which would later become the University of Pennsylvania. This university is considered by some as the birthplace of American education curriculum. (Gattillia, 2011) -
Thomas Jefferson - Two Track Educational System and Public Schools
Thomas Jefferson would propose the first two-track educational system focusing on "the laboring and the learned." This system would classify citizens as either laboring or learned and propose a system for which truly gifted individuals can be selected, cultivated, and established through formal education. In a sense, this was the start of scholarship selection for gifted and talented students, a practice that has allowed for many students to pursue advanced degrees... -
Noah Webster - A Gramatical Institute of the English Language
Noah Webster created 3 volumes within his A Grammatical Institute of the English Language that consisted of spelling, grammar, and reading. These three areas would become foundational to education and would comprise one half of a student's scholastic aptitude. In fact, his spelling volume is still in print and widely used today. Later in life, Webster would author the most precise dictionary of the English language for the times. (Skinner, 2012) -
Thomas Jefferson - Cont'
In the book Notes on the State of Virginia, authored by Jefferson, he would propose ideals for public schooling. These idea was for public education at the elementary level through public grammar school from which the gifted few would be selected to continue further education. The was a proposal for a systematic system much like the one we have in place today where student progress through various levels. (Pangle, 1993) -
Horace Mann - Proponent of Public Schools
As secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, Horace Mann was the editor of the Common School Journal where he outlined six problem areas in education and set out to initiate reform. His methodology focused on publicly funded education that was devoid of ignorance, diverse, non-sectarian, and of a free society. Furthermore, he would champion the importance of well-trained professional educators and continuing education for teachers. -
Horace Mann - Cont'
In many ways, Mann was the father of the modern day teacher. The legacy of Horace Mann can be seen in trends that have been a continuance in education and consist of better equipped schools, longer duration of the school year, wider curriculum, and equal pay for educators. (Cremin, 2014) -
Charles Darwin - Scientific Education Evolution
Charles Darwin publishes his book On the Origin of Species which changes the way we view and teach science and it ushered in the science of evolution which is still be taught to this day. Up to this point in education history, scholastics was primarily based on Webster's grammar, spelling, and reading but Darwin would ignite a new found passion for the sciences and springboard science in education... -
Charles Darwin - Cont'
It is an understanding of evolution that has allowed for fundamental changes in the way we approach scientific research and reasoning. Evolution would be a cornerstone topic in science education from this point forward and it has withstood several attempts to disprove its validity. Charles Darwin can be called the father of modern biology for his therioes on natural selection. (Beddall, 1968) -
Melvil Dewey
A librarian and educator, Melvin Dewey invented the Dewy Decimal system of library classification. This system fundamentally changes the way we characterize and catalog all of our works educational value. He would later become the editor of The Library Journal which would be influential to the development of libraries to this day. In addition, he was one of the founders of the American Library Association. The Dewy Decimal system helped simplify educational research which is invaluable. -
Edward Lee Thorndike - Cont'
His work would be part of the inspiration of B.F. Skinner, another influential figure in education that will how profound effects on psychological learning later on. (McLeod, 2007) -
Edward Lee Thorndike - Exercise and Effect
Thorndike changed the landscape of education and learning, on a psychological standpoint, in his book Educational Psychology: The Psychology of Learning. Through his work in connectionism, he explained how the learning curve worked and how it effects our rate of learning. He further coined the Law of Effect in that the association between stimulus and response was solidified by reward. He also coined the Law of Exercise noting that connections are strengthened by repetition... -
Lev Vygotsky - Cont'
Built upon the ZPD concept, scaffolding is introduced based on his works and has become a common method for teaching that is still being used today. This method is one of challenging a students cognitive level in order to advance their state of learning, a key concept in education. (Leong, 2012) -
Lev Vygotsky - Zone of Proximal Development
Known for his book Thought and Language, which outlined social constructivist theories, he would influence education through his zone of proximal development. This model would give educators a roadmap to chart a learning journey for the student as they progress through learning and cognitive development... -
B.F. Skinner - Behaviorism
Skinner proposed that students could be brought under appropriate control through reinforcement, both negative and positive, and that presence of a stimuli relevant to the learning task can be an effective reinforcer. He brought in the age of understanding in that teachers need to connect with students and learning is directly connected to behavior. This was significant because it moved education away from clasical conditioning and into more constructive methods of instruction. (McLeod, 2007) -
President George W. Bush - No Child Left Behind
Responsible for the No Child Left Behind Act, President Bush profoundly affected education moving into the 21st century. The NCLB placed emphasis on academic progress as well as teacher qualifications through a strict accountability program. Federal funding would depend on compliance with NCLB and it further identified Title I schools and their role in the system. This act fundamentally changed the way we teach and the way we look at education... -
President George W. Bush - Cont'
This effectively instituted a system of checks and balances into public education and created greater focus on quality of education for America. Included in the legislation is Title I which is the governments aid program designed for students with disadvantages. Without NCLB, there would be no accountability an no equal treatment in education. (Wong, 2015) -
Bill Gates - Windows in Education
It is evident that without the Windows operating system, integration of computers into everyday life, to include business and education, would not be as seamless or effortless at it has been. There is not a state, district, or school that does not use Windows either as an educational resource or a business asset. Furthermore, it has helped make distance learning possible through collaboration with the World Wide Web... -
Steve Jobs - Cont'
Responsible for the smart phone generations, Jobs ushered helped usher in a period of heightened communication and information that has helped advance educational endeavors. Five years later, tablets have become as popular and widely used on campuses as textbooks and, in many cases, have replaced textbooks. -
Steve Jobs - Ipad Gives Birth to Tablet Generation
This century is one of technological advancement and such improvements have had groundbreaking affects on education. Computers first entered schools as Apple IIc models over 30 years ago and it changed the landscape of learning. In order to reclaim Apple's place in the classroom, I pad's began to show promise in just how much education can be enhanced through the use of tablets... -
Bill Gates - Cont'
In addition to being responsible for Windows, Bill Gates and his Wife Melinda have made countless contributions to education via fiduciary means and have helped impact high school reform through those efforts. According to the website Teachthought, in 2010, the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center named Gates the most influential person in education policy over the preceding decade.
