IS THERE ANY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL THEORY AND PRACTICE?

The article analyzes whether there is any relationship between educational theory and practice. A major criticism of educational theorizing is that it has no value for practice. As far as educational practice is concerned it is claimed that such practice is theory-less; that educational practice neither necessarily nor contingently rests upon theory; and, that teachers require no theoretical understanding. As far as theory is concerned such theory provides no guide to practice. It appears, then, that the argument rests upon certain conceptions of educational theory and of practice. It proposes, therefore, to begin by looking at educational practice so as to discover whether it follows from the nature of such practice that theory has no place; and follows this by a similar consideration of educational theory so as to discern whether, in principle, it can make no contribution to the practice of education. It is asserted that such skills are learnt through experience and by the continual exercise of judgment rather than by acquaintance with theoretical knowledge.