Responds to an article that emphasized profound differences separating Dewey and Vygotsky, arguing that the intellectual agendas the two pursued grew and changed in similar ways in the course of each individual's work. Refutes stereotypic ideas about Dewey and Vygotsky (e.g., Dewey put process ahead of product in education, and Vygotsky downplayed…

Expresses concerns about the way Hiebert et al. (1996) characterized Dewey's approach to thinking and problem solving. It argues that Hiebert et al.'s interpretation of Dewey downplays the crucial role of ideas in the problem-solving process while simultaneously elevating "action, over doing" as the key element in promoting greater understanding…

Contends that Garrison (1996) overlooks evidence that points to the transactional nature of Dewey's theory on learning and uses Dewey's reconstruction of William James's theory of emotion to support the author's claim that Dewey emphasized activity. Following a brief discussion on intellectualism--that ideas represent the only mode of knowing--the…

Argues that educators should reconsider their current commitment to problem solving as the way to promote constructionist teaching and learning and should focus on teaching important ideas developed within the disciplines. This idea-based social constructivism focuses on the possibilities of a given situation. (SLD)

Examines three approaches to fostering higher level thinking in students: (1) the stand-alone approach; (2) the embedding approach; and (3) the immersion approach. The first two approaches teach thinking skills separately from or in the context of subject matter content; the immersion approach assigns an active role to perception and downplays…

Argues that there are two misunderstandings of John Dewey's pedagogical and philosophical views: the erroneous assumption that Dewey favored an activity-oriented, child-centered approach to learning; and Dewey's view on the role of experience in knowledge acquisition. The article focuses on the practical and theoretical consequences that follow…