Foundations+in+Democracy

=**__Democracy and Education__**=

To get an idea of two of the public education system’s great thinkers, Horace Mann and John Dewey, please watch the following YouTube videos and review segments of the PBS website //Only a Teacher//.

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 * Horace Mann** (1796-1859)
 * Horace Mann- The Father of American Education (about 10 minutes)
 * Horace Mann- []

[|http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8009791051515751015#]
 * John Dewey** (1859-1952)
 * John Dewey: HIS LIFE AND WORK (DAVIDSON FILMS ) (about 5 minutes)
 * John Dewey- []

__Summary of research__
Please read the following summary based on the research I did into the topics of the Dewey and Mann on democracy and education, and using experiences in nature for authentic learning.



__Experiential Learning__
Now that you have an initial understanding of Horace Mann and John Dewey; the following video and website review will guide you in thinking about one of Dewey’s core ideals in education; using experiences (in nature) to provide students with meaningful and authentic learning.

Please…
 * Watch this You Tube video: Get ‘em Outside (about 5 minutes) []

In particular, the Research section for educators has an annotated bibliography: []
 * Explore the Children & Nature Network website, []

__Discussion Questions__
In the discussion thread, please answer the following questions:

How did the foundational thinkers in American public education view democracy in connection to education? How did they view society’s relationship with nature? Can we as a democratic society regain an engaged citizenry through the use of experiential learning and a connection to nature? Does this type of learning benefit students? If so, or not, why?