The philosophy proposed by Williams James and John Dewey, which considers self-activity as the basis of all teaching-learning processes is:

Appeared in: DSSSB 12 August 2024

Explanation

Pragmatism is an educational philosophy championed by American thinkers like William James and John Dewey.
Its central tenet is 'learning by doing,' where self-activity and practical experience are considered the basis of all teaching and learning.
This philosophy suggests that education should be life itself, not just a preparation for it, focusing on problem-solving and adapting to a changing environment.
The aim is to produce creative, resourceful, and adaptable individuals who can construct their own understanding through experience.

Option A: Naturalism emphasizes learning from nature and allowing a child's innate goodness to unfold naturally. While it involves experience, its focus is on the natural environment rather than structured, problem-solving self-activity.
Option B: Realism focuses on the objective world of facts and scientific principles. It posits that reality exists independently of the human mind and education should transmit factual knowledge about the material world.
Option D: Idealism prioritizes the mind, ideas, and spiritual or moral values. It suggests that reality is fundamentally mental or spiritual, and education should focus on developing the intellect and character.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Educational Philosophies in Nursing as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Pragmatism is the philosophical backbone of modern nursing education.
It justifies the use of hands-on learning methods like clinical rotations, simulation labs, and skills practice, where nursing students learn by actively performing tasks rather than just reading about them.
This approach ensures that graduates are competent, adaptable, and prepared for the practical challenges of patient care.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: the philosophers 'William James' and 'John Dewey,' and the core concept 'self-activity as the basis of all teaching-learning processes.'
Recall or deduce the major philosophy associated with these American thinkers. They are the primary figures of Pragmatism.
Connect the concept of 'self-activity' or 'learning by doing' to the philosophies listed. This concept is the hallmark of Pragmatism.
Briefly review the other options to confirm they don't fit. Naturalism is about nature, Realism is about objective facts, and Idealism is about abstract ideas.
Select the option that aligns both the proponents and the core concept, which in this case is Pragmatism.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Educational Philosophies in Nursing
Stem keywords: philosophy, Williams James, John Dewey, self-activity, teaching-learning process
Lead-in keywords: is:

QPndy0OIkeZpmGW9Yb2RKG

E6 Nursing Education & Educational TechnologySuresh k Sharma (pp 21-557 of 572) pp. 37-39, 45-47

E6 Essentials of Educational Technology Nursing EducationL Gopichandran C Kanniammal (pp 39-344 of 355) p. 22-24

Practise the full DSSSB 12 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.