(2) The practical significance of Dewey's theory of educational essence.

① Positive significance

Dewey's theory of educational essence aims to solve three important problems, namely, the separation of education and society, education and children, and theory and practice. Dewey's theory of educational essence requires strengthening the connection between education, schools and social life, so that schools not only passively adapt to social changes, but actively participate in the optimization of social life; It is still of great significance to strengthen the connection between theory and practice, so that theory can guide practice and be tested and developed.

At the same time, his theory of educational essence reflects that education should overcome the opposition between individuals and society, cultivate new people who can adapt to the changes in the world, combine the instrumental value and intrinsic value of education, and overcome the opposition between knowledge and behavior, knowledge and morality, reason and emotion, sensibility and rationality in teaching theory, which is also of great theoretical value and practical significance to our educational reform today.

② Disadvantages

Dewey's theory of educational essence also reflects his reformist idealist historical view. He has high expectations for education, and his attempt to change society and people's thinking through education has certain limitations. He believes that the goal of democracy should be achieved in a democratic way, opposing violent revolution and fighting violence with violence. He believes that the method of teaching violence with wisdom is a better choice, and the nature of reformism is very obvious. This has also led to the fact that some of his educational theories can not play an effective role in educational practice, and some methods to solve problems have unrealistic drawbacks. Dewey's Theory of Educational Essence