The following 3 quotations are characteristics that Dewey believes all good educational aims should have:
"An educational aim must be founded upon the intrinsic activities and needs...of the given individual to be educated"
Do you think that this is followed today? Dewey mentions that all learning happens at an individual pace. Does the present model of education allow for that to happen? Are there other solutions aside from holding a child back a grade when someone learns more slowly? Or having tracked classes?
"An aim must be capable of translation into a method of cooperating with the activities of those undergoing instruction"
To what extent do you think that schools are bound to fulfill external goals? What about the rules that are put in place with good intent, but the enforcing goes too far? (An example would be that students aren't allowed in the hall without a pass) Why are the external goals potentially harmful?
"Educators must be on their guard against ends that are alleged to be general and ultimate"
Dewey says that "education is its own reward." Do you (personally) agree? Do you think that we have lost sight of this? Does our society value this idea? How many people ask you "what are you going to do with your major?" Shouldn't it be enough that we enjoy studying what we are studying?
Hope this stimulates some brain cells...
Sarah