Franklin Bobbitt

Franklin Bobbitt was a prominent American educator, known for his work in the field of curriculum theory and his contributions to the development of progressive education. He was influenced by the ideas of John Dewey, Thorndike, and Herbart, and his work had a significant impact on the development of education in the United States. Bobbitt's ideas were also shaped by his experiences at the University of Chicago, where he earned his Ph.D. and later became a professor. He was also associated with the National Education Association and the American Educational Research Association.

● Early Life and Education

Franklin Bobbitt was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana in 1876 and grew up in a family of modest means. He attended Butler University and later earned his master's degree from the University of Indiana. Bobbitt then went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, where he was influenced by the ideas of John Dewey and other prominent educators of the time, including Charles Hubbard Judd and James Rowland Angell. During his time at the University of Chicago, Bobbitt was also exposed to the ideas of Thorndike and Herbart, which would later shape his own theories on curriculum development and educational psychology. He was also familiar with the work of Edward Thorndike and the Columbia University's Teachers College.

● Career

Bobbitt's career in education spanned several decades and included positions at the University of Chicago, the Los Angeles City Schools, and the National Education Association. He was a prominent figure in the development of progressive education and was known for his work in the field of curriculum theory. Bobbitt was also a prolific writer and published numerous articles and books on topics related to education and curriculum development, including works on vocational education and adult education. He was associated with the American Council on Education and the National Society for the Study of Education. His work was also influenced by the ideas of Ralph Tyler and the Eight-Year Study.

● Contributions to Education

Franklin Bobbitt made significant contributions to the field of education, particularly in the areas of curriculum theory and progressive education. He was a strong advocate for the idea that education should be focused on the needs and interests of the individual student, rather than on the transmission of traditional subject matter. Bobbitt's work was influenced by the ideas of John Dewey and other prominent educators of the time, including William Heard Kilpatrick and Boyd Henry Bode. He was also familiar with the work of George Counts and the American Teachers Association. His ideas on curriculum development were also shaped by the work of Ralph Tyler and the National Education Association's Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary Education.

● Major Works

Some of Franklin Bobbitt's most notable works include The Curriculum, How to Make a Curriculum, and The Supervision of Instruction. These works showcase Bobbitt's ideas on curriculum theory and progressive education, and demonstrate his commitment to creating an education system that is focused on the needs and interests of the individual student. Bobbitt's work was also influenced by the ideas of Edward Thorndike and the Columbia University's Teachers College, as well as the work of Charles Hubbard Judd and the University of Chicago's Department of Education. His books were widely read by educators at the Harvard University's Graduate School of Education and the Stanford University's School of Education.

● Legacy

Franklin Bobbitt's legacy in the field of education is significant, and his ideas continue to influence educators and curriculum developers to this day. His work on curriculum theory and progressive education has had a lasting impact on the development of education in the United States and around the world. Bobbitt's ideas have been influential in shaping the work of other prominent educators, including Ralph Tyler and Benjamin Bloom. His work has also been recognized by the National Education Association and the American Educational Research Association, and he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the development of progressive education in the 20th century. He is also associated with the John Dewey Society and the Progressive Education Association.