Robert Owen
By:Steven Smith
Biographical Information
DOB: May 14, 1771
DOD: November 17, 1858
Lived in Newtown, Montgomeryshire, in Wales
Born to the local saddler and ironmonger
Sixth of seven children
His interests involved reading, sports, and he loved music
Career Experiences
Began his career in the textile industry
At age 27 he became a mill manager in Manchester
On January2, 1816 he opened his first infant school
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDWddc2-eMw
Beliefs & Theories
• His ideas originated from Scottish Enlightenment
• Owen rejected religion
• He turned to spiritualism
• Character is influenced by environment
• Education is the center of importance
• Physical punishment and prizes were not allowed
Publications
• His works consisted of four essays- The First Essay on the Principle of the Formation of Character
• All four essays resulted in “A New View of Society”• Journal• - The New Moral World
Relevance to ECE
• Proper education at an early age
• Temper or disposition is formed before age 2
• Promoted early childhood education
• Children are to be taught about the environment and theirsurroundings
7 W’s” of Education
Why Educate
When to Educate
Who Educates
Where to Educate
What is Taught
Who to Educate
Ways to Educate
Owen's Beliefs
Infant to young adult
To improve Society
Highly Qualified adults
In an environment with other learners
Methods on which he Came up with
Infants, children, teens, And adults
Three R's, sewing, Natural HistoryMusic, Geology, Marching
Works Cited
- Heart, James. The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 4th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1965. (628). Print.
- Gordon, Peter. "Robert Owen." INTERNATIONAL BUREAU OF EDUCATION. Paris, UNESCO: International Bureau of Education, 1999. Web. 26 Sep 2010. <http://www.ibe.unesco.org/publications/ThinkersPdf/owene.PDF>.
- Donnachie, Ian. "Education in Robert Owen's New Society: The New Lanark Institute and Schools." infed. N.p., 2003. Web. 26 Sep 2010. <http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-owen.htm>.