Dewey and Wells

“Outcomes are both aimed for and emergent”

Dewey more or less mocks the theory that if students just listen in their desks, the levels of their knowledge and skill will be all nicely equal and beneficial. He speaks negatively about the old methodology in which, “There is next to no opportunity for adjustment to varying capacities and demands. There is a certain amount-a fixed quantity-of ready-made results and accomplishments to be acquired by all children alike in a given time”. I can’t imagine putting in place a lesson plan with definite outcomes. If anyone has seen a day in the classroom, they would know that flexibility on everyone’s part is key.

Wells has accepted the fact that outcomes are never certain, especially in the classroom; and we shouldn’t even expect them. Wells states, “Outcomes of activity cannot be completely known or prescribed in advance; although there may be prior agreement about the goal to be aimed for...” Although it is essential to have goals and valid reasons for preparing activities, it is equally as essential to let the situation produce other positive results not previously anticipated.