John Amos Comenius

1. What is the historical context of this character?  A: He was born during the 16th century in the southern of Moravia, Europe during the reign of King Charles One.

2. Describe the character. Mention the main aspects of his life. A: He studied in the University of Heidelberg. In course of his study he became acquainted with the educational reforms of Ratichius. He was a teacher, educator and also a writer.

3. What does this character propound in education? A:  According to Comenius, since man is a part of nature he should obey its general laws, and all educational methods should conform to nature. While asserting that upbringing must be in conformity with nature, he also believed that education must rest on a study of the laws of man’s spiritual life and the coordination of all pedagogical influences with it.

4. What is the role of the teacher in his model? A:  According to Comenius, the teacher must be skilled in the art of instruction and enjoy his work. He must stimulate independent thought in his pupils and train them to become active persons concerned with the general welfare. Comenius contended that it was necessary to develop from childhood such positive moral qualities as justice, moderation, and courage, by which he particularly meant persistent endeavor. He ascribed an important role in moral upbringing to the example of adults and to the systematic training of children in useful activity and in the observance of rules of conduct.

5. What is the role of the student in his model? A: The role of the student is just to collaborate with his/her teacher and participate in all the tasks, workshops, etc. Maybe debate with his/her partners. And the most important thing, to be receptive.

6. Give an example of his model in a specific situation A: Comenius proponed that education should begin from the childhood, as soon as possible. So, a good example would be a workshop for kindergarten children in which the aim is to teach them the colors (their mother tongue is Spanish) . They can’t read or write, so it must be didactic, adapt to their possibilities and needs. So maybe a good idea would be to show them different objects with a variety of colors and make them recognize the colors in Spanish and teach the by repeating the names in English. After that make them search by themselves objects and say the colors.