John Dewey’s Ideas Alive Today at AIER
As an educator, I am curious about new developments in the theory and practice of various pedagogical techniques and approaches. Currently, the buzz is about personalized learning, differentiated instruction, and real-world applications. I recently came across a blog post pondering how the ideas of John Dewey — the father of “learning by doing” — from almost 100 years ago are at the forefront of education methodology today.
As AIER founder Colonel E. C. Harwood was a fan of John Dewey’s constructivist approach, I decided to reflect on how our education programming continues to be grounded in real experience. Currently, the method of engaging students through real-world applications of theoretical material is called experiential learning.
According to my archival research of E.C. Harwood’s legacy, AIER’s then President Rollo Handy remarked in 1983 that Harwood “tried to combine formal instruction with ‘field work’ or its equivalent in an actual research project.” AIER uses this fieldwork approach today in its educational programs.
One example is AIER’s academic-year internship program, which allows students attending local high schools and colleges to engage with staff researchers in the projects for a semester or for the whole academic year. Students from the Berkshire School just completed their program with us and presented their research to the AIER staff on May 11. Students exhibited an impressive level of economic analysis on their selected topics. AIER’s Max Gulker supervised this group and led students through a year-long process of discovery. The longevity of the research projects made for unfamiliar territory for students. Beyond the knowledge of economic concepts, the projects required continuing focus, a plan, and time-management skills.
The students in the classrooms today are the employees and leaders of the next decade. By providing experiential-learning opportunities, AIER integrates the academy and the workplace, broadening the base of experiences on which students will draw in their future endeavors. By doing that, AIER preserves the legacies of John Dewey and of E.C. Harwood.
Picture: James Brady Wilson of the Berkshire School presents his research at AIER. From L to R: Patrick Coate of AIER and James Brady Wilson.
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