Dewey's Approach

Dewey prioritizes exploration, problem-solving, and critical thinking over simple memorization in his progressive educational theories, especially concerning instrumentalism and experiential learning. He thought that as the mind is a tool for achieving goals, learning is best accomplished by action. Dewey criticized exclusively student-driven systems for their lack of structure and acknowledged the necessity of professional assistance in the field of education. This viewpoint is particularly pertinent to dance education, as memorization of choreography alone results in poor retention. As an alternative, students engage their bodies and minds via the repeated practice of the dance, which results in a deeper comprehension and more durable memory, proving how Dewey's principles apply to a variety of academic subjects.