John Amos Comenius (1592-1670) was a Czech educator, Bishop in the Moravian Brethren Church (pre-reformation protestant), and philosopher. He has been referred to as the Father of Modern Education. The use of visual media and instruction that is respectful of a child’s stage of development has its roots in the writings of Comenius.
Jean Piaget speaks to the importance of Comenius in the following quote. "Comenius, in the 17th century, had already formulated, with remarkable clarity and foresight, the essential principles of an education based on the child's development... He demanded respect for the child's personality, for its spontaneous activity, and for its natural interests. He condemned all mechanical methods of instruction and insisted on the necessity of relating teaching to the child's own experience and stage of development" (Jean Piaget, Education and Psychology, p. 186, 1970).Background
Comenius lived during Europe’s Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648, Catholic-Protestant conflict). During this war, his home and possessions were burned, and his first wife and children died. As a result, he moved throughout Europe, finding refuge in Bohemia, Poland, Lithuania, Transylvania, Sweden, and the Netherlands, all the while continuing to work as an educator and pastor.
Overview of His Life Contributions
• Studied philosophy and theology (1607-1613) at University of Heidelberg and Herborn Academy (1613-1614).
• Appointed professor and rector of Calvinist College in Saros-Patak (Northern Hungary, 1614-1618).
• Served as teacher and pastor in Leszno, Poland (1618-1628).
• Published extensively in the field of education.
• Appointed as Royal Chaplain of Sweden (1641) and commissioned by the Swedish government (1638) and British Parliament (1641) to design their educational systems. He also influenced educational reform in Hungary.
Publications
Comenius is noted for having published over 150 books and manuscripts. Descriptions, quotes, and images from three of his primary works follow.
The Gate of Languages Unlocked (Janua Linguarum Reserata), 1631.
This is one of the earliest textbooks written for the specific purpose of teaching how to make language learning easier and more accessible. He aimed to "unlock the gate of languages" for more people by creating a text that presented languages in a logical, step-by-step manner.
The Great Didactic (Didactica Magna), 1632-1638.
This is the foundational work of Comenius. He proposes a comprehensive educational philosophy aimed at universal education, emphasizing practical learning, the use of visual aids, gradual instruction, language proficiency, and the integration of general, moral, and religious education.
The first children's picture textbook for teaching Latin vocabulary (and other languages) through pictures of everyday life. The introduction to the first English edition (1659) says, “A picture and nomenclature of all the chief things that are in the world; and of men’s employments therein.”
Selected Quotes
The following quotes are from several of his publications, not limited to the above three texts, but intending to represent his key ideas.
Teaching and learning
“The saying ‘He who teaches others, teaches himself’ is very true, not only because constant repetition impresses a fact indelibly on the mind, but because the process of teaching itself gives deeper insight into the subject taught.” The Great Didactic (Didactica Magna), 1632.
Education for everyone
“Not the children of the rich or of the powerful only, but of all alike, boys and girls, both noble and ignoble, rich and poor, in all cities and towns, villages and hamlets, should be sent to school. Education is indeed necessary for all, and this is evident if we consider the different degrees of ability. No one doubts that those who are stupid need instruction, that they may shake off their natural dullness. But in reality those who are clever need it far more, since an active mind, if not occupied with useful things, will busy itself with what is useless, curious, and pernicious.” Universal Education (Pampaedia),1657.
Experiential learning
“The proper education of the young does not consist in stuffing their heads with a mass of words, sentences, and ideas dragged together out of various authors, but in opening up their understanding to the outer world, so that a living stream may flow from their own minds, just as leaves, flowers, and fruit spring from the bud on a tree.” The Great Didactic (Didactica Magna), 1632.
Learning by doing
“What has to be done must be learned by practice. Artisans do not detain their apprentices with theories, but set them to do practical work at an early stage; thus, they learn to forge by forging, to carve by carving, to paint by painting, and to dance by dancing. In schools, therefore, let the student learn to write by writing, to talk by talking, to sing by singing, and to reason by reasoning.” The Great Didactic (Didactica Magna), 1632.
Student growth
“Three things give the student the possibility of surpassing his teacher: ask a lot of questions, remember the answers, teach.” The World of Pictures (Orbis Sensualium Pictus), 1658.
Teaching methods
“Let the main object [be]… to seek and to find a method of instruction, by which teachers may teach less, but learners learn more.” The Way of Light (Via Lucis), 1668.
Lifelong learning
“If, in each hour, a man could learn a single fragment of some branch of knowledge, a single rule of some mechanical art, a single pleasing story or proverb (the acquisition of which would require no effort), what a vast stock of learning he might lay by. Seneca is therefore right when he says: ‘Life is long, if we know how to use it.’ It is consequently of importance that we understand the art of making the very best use of our lives.” The Way of Light (Via Lucis), 1668.
Summary
In summary, John Amos Comenius was a 17th-century educator, theologian, and philosopher who is considered the father of modern education. He emphasized the importance of education for all, regardless of social status or background, and advocated for teaching methods that were respectful of children's developmental stages and interests.
Comenius is best known for three major works: The Gate of Languages Unlocked, on language learning; The Great Didactic, on educational theory and reform; and The Visible World in Pictures, the first children's picture textbook. The contributions of Comenius have had a profound impact on education around the world, and his legacy is seen in today’s inclusive and experiential approaches to teaching and learning. His spiritual and moral values are yet to be realized.
Resources:
Hilmarova, K. John Comenius: The Bohemian Educator Who Changed the World, Kindle Edition. https://amzn.to/3tv1YjH
Huck, C. Children’s Literature in the Elementary School. https://amzn.to/41Bp98u
Petereson, D. L. Applying the Educational Principles of Comenius. https://www.aacs.org/assets/Journal-Vol-12-No-3/Vol-10-NO-3/Applying-the-Educational-Principles-of-Comenius.pdf
Piaget, J. Jan Amos Comenius. https://monoskop.org/images/1/12/Piaget_Jean_1993_Jan_Amos_Comenius_1592-1670.pdf
Supplementary online resources that may have been consulted include ChatGPT, Claude, Google Search, Google Bard, Bing, and Wikipedia.
Church And School Education (CASE) Resources is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates
Program, of affiliate advertising designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com
This presentation is also available as a YouTube video at https://youtu.be/HengE67Jn1w
Teaching and learning
“The saying ‘He who teaches others, teaches himself’ is very true, not only because constant repetition impresses a fact indelibly on the mind, but because the process of teaching itself gives deeper insight into the subject taught.” The Great Didactic (Didactica Magna), 1632.
Education for everyone
“Not the children of the rich or of the powerful only, but of all alike, boys and girls, both noble and ignoble, rich and poor, in all cities and towns, villages and hamlets, should be sent to school. Education is indeed necessary for all, and this is evident if we consider the different degrees of ability. No one doubts that those who are stupid need instruction, that they may shake off their natural dullness. But in reality those who are clever need it far more, since an active mind, if not occupied with useful things, will busy itself with what is useless, curious, and pernicious.” Universal Education (Pampaedia),1657.
Experiential learning
“The proper education of the young does not consist in stuffing their heads with a mass of words, sentences, and ideas dragged together out of various authors, but in opening up their understanding to the outer world, so that a living stream may flow from their own minds, just as leaves, flowers, and fruit spring from the bud on a tree.” The Great Didactic (Didactica Magna), 1632.
Learning by doing
“What has to be done must be learned by practice. Artisans do not detain their apprentices with theories, but set them to do practical work at an early stage; thus, they learn to forge by forging, to carve by carving, to paint by painting, and to dance by dancing. In schools, therefore, let the student learn to write by writing, to talk by talking, to sing by singing, and to reason by reasoning.” The Great Didactic (Didactica Magna), 1632.
Student growth
“Three things give the student the possibility of surpassing his teacher: ask a lot of questions, remember the answers, teach.” The World of Pictures (Orbis Sensualium Pictus), 1658.
Teaching methods
“Let the main object [be]… to seek and to find a method of instruction, by which teachers may teach less, but learners learn more.” The Way of Light (Via Lucis), 1668.
Lifelong learning
“If, in each hour, a man could learn a single fragment of some branch of knowledge, a single rule of some mechanical art, a single pleasing story or proverb (the acquisition of which would require no effort), what a vast stock of learning he might lay by. Seneca is therefore right when he says: ‘Life is long, if we know how to use it.’ It is consequently of importance that we understand the art of making the very best use of our lives.” The Way of Light (Via Lucis), 1668.
Summary
In summary, John Amos Comenius was a 17th-century educator, theologian, and philosopher who is considered the father of modern education. He emphasized the importance of education for all, regardless of social status or background, and advocated for teaching methods that were respectful of children's developmental stages and interests.
Comenius is best known for three major works: The Gate of Languages Unlocked, on language learning; The Great Didactic, on educational theory and reform; and The Visible World in Pictures, the first children's picture textbook. The contributions of Comenius have had a profound impact on education around the world, and his legacy is seen in today’s inclusive and experiential approaches to teaching and learning. His spiritual and moral values are yet to be realized.
Resources:
Hilmarova, K. John Comenius: The Bohemian Educator Who Changed the World, Kindle Edition. https://amzn.to/3tv1YjH
Huck, C. Children’s Literature in the Elementary School. https://amzn.to/41Bp98u
Petereson, D. L. Applying the Educational Principles of Comenius. https://www.aacs.org/assets/Journal-Vol-12-No-3/Vol-10-NO-3/Applying-the-Educational-Principles-of-Comenius.pdf
Piaget, J. Jan Amos Comenius. https://monoskop.org/images/1/12/Piaget_Jean_1993_Jan_Amos_Comenius_1592-1670.pdf
Supplementary online resources that may have been consulted include ChatGPT, Claude, Google Search, Google Bard, Bing, and Wikipedia.
Church And School Education (CASE) Resources is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates
Program, of affiliate advertising designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com
This presentation is also available as a YouTube video at https://youtu.be/HengE67Jn1w
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