Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Nine steps in social orientation

1938; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 16; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/01619563809535461

1532-7930

H. M. Lafferty,

Education and Critical Thinking Development

Since the time of Vittorino da Feltre, or earlier, each century has witnessed attempts at naturalizing and socializing the educational process, attempts which have culminated in the more recent philosophies of William Harris, Francis Parker, John Dewey, and others.1 This emphasis upon self-activity and social participation as essential elements of an adequate school program has resulted in a general realization that the educational objectives and outcomes of the traditional school program are not sufficient. The current popularity of curriculum revision programs, both local and state-wide, attests the extent to which public opinion has renounced formalistic and pedantic teaching. Renunciation, as used here, does not imply complete alienation from the traditional curriculum; instead, it is used to mean a disposal of only those elements which are neither conducive to orienting and adapting the individual child to the current social order nor of value in helping individuals to play an intelligent role in planning for a constantly improving society.2 The philosophy of this newly revised curriculum is to enable the child to adjust himself to society with a minimum of discomfiture; to so respet the abilities, interests, and experiences of the child that the individual will experience little effort in meeting the demands of the social group. To achieve such a highly desirable objective the individual must have an opportunity to become an actual participant in group life. He must be made to feel a sense of belongingness, to sense that he has traits, aptitudes, and abilities which have a marketable value from the standpoint of group approval. There is no more pitiable sight than that of a child who feels that he is unwanted in his group, who feels that he has no saleable assets which might prove of interest or value to a fellow consumer. Harris remarks: