John dewey. The educational theory of "education is life" was put forward by American educator Dewey. According to this theory, education is life. Education is not to accumulate knowledge and experience into school life, but to make school life meaningful. The significance of education lies not only in cultivating people's viability, but also in cultivating people's moral spirit. This theory strongly criticizes the disadvantages of traditional education centered on classroom, teaching materials and teachers, and emphasizes the life significance and morality of education.