Exploring the Integration of Educational Contents and Methods in Dewey's Activity-based Inquiry Process

듀이의 활동중심 탐구과정에 담긴 교육의 내용과 방법의 통합

The purpose of this study was to investigate critically the existing educational contents and methods on knowledge uncombined with our lives and to explore directions for the integration of educational contents and methods on practical knowledge. For this, firstly, this study selected and analyzed Traditionalism and Progressivism as exclusively opposite approach to education, in particular, the aspect of contents and methods. Next, it explored to define Dewey's activity-based inquiry process. Finally, it showed that the educational contents and methods could not be separated in Dewey's activity-based inquiry process. As a result, educational contents and methods in educational practice were experiences as things integrated. Therefore, knowledge for education has been emphasized as meaningful results that learners have experienced. Once the learners recognize the value and meaning of knowledge, they will be able to internalize the genuine knowledge, moreover they will be self-directed learners. In other words, if learners could discovered their own meaning and value of knowledge in the inquiry process, they have sustainable needs, trying to be involved in the new process based on the knowledge they earned.