Verspreide Opstellen, I

Jan LigthartProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.2

Word count: 364K words
Chapters: 37

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Verspreide Opstellen, I by Jan LigthartAuthor: Ligthart, Jan, 1859-1916,Language: Dutch, Class: LA: Education: History of education, Release Date: Dec 24, 2011

Editor's review

This is the Project Gutenberg electronic edition of Volume I of Verspreide Opstellen (Miscellaneous Essays) by the Dutch educator Jan Ligthart; the original text is in Dutch and is classified under the history of education. Ligthart is known for his concern for children and his advocacy of a gentle, practical approach to education. Collections of this kind usually take the form of short essays on upbringing, schools, and everyday educational observation; the style is warm and accessible, and the educational views are distinctly of their time. The book's value lies in giving readers direct access to Dutch educational writing of the early twentieth century. It suits researchers in the history of education, readers interested in comparative education, and those who wish to encounter the educational discourse of the period through primary sources. Because it is a collection of separate essays, the pieces stand relatively independent of one another and need not be read in order; but the original is in Dutch and lacks a modern introduction or notes, so non-specialist readers may struggle with the historical context and the language. It is best used as research material rather than as a popular introduction.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Scholarly readers researching the history of education or Dutch educational thought
Readers with Dutch reading ability and an interest in essays on the upbringing of children
Academic workers in comparative education or the editing of primary sources

Not a good fit for

Ordinary parents without Dutch who want an introductory book on education
Readers expecting a systematic educational theory or curriculum plan
Casual readers looking only for an easy translation of essays

Reading tips

Begin by consulting biographical material on Ligthart and his educational views in order to establish the historical context.
Select essays by theme and read them out of order; there is no need to proceed from the first piece to the last.
While reading, note the views on children and the school practices mentioned, so that they can be compared.
Readers of Dutch can read a few essays closely with a dictionary and then write summaries.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a systematic work on education?

No. The material shows that it is Volume I of Ligthart's Verspreide Opstellen, a collection of essays. The pieces stand relatively independent of one another and do not develop a systematic theory chapter by chapter; readers should not expect a complete exposition of an educational system.

What language background is needed to read this book?

The original language is Dutch, and the Project Gutenberg edition generally includes no Chinese translation or modern notes. Readers need some ability to read Dutch, or must rely on dictionaries and translation tools, in order to understand the text well.

Is it suitable for ordinary parents to consult directly?

Not really. This is a document in the history of education from the early twentieth century; its context differs considerably from that of today, and it has no modern introduction. Ordinary parents seeking advice on upbringing would do better to choose contemporary books with translations and notes; this book is more suitable as research material.

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About the author

Jan Ligthart Author · Dutch · 1859–1916

Jan Ligthart (1859–1916) was a Dutch teacher and philosopher, born in Amsterdam and died in Laag-Soeren. He is known for his innovative educational methods and for his efforts to modernize the Dutch education system. His writings focus largely on educational theory, linking children's development with teaching practice. Three of his works are held in the collection: the first and second volumes of Verspreide Opstellen, a gathering of scattered essays, and Jeugdherinneringen, a childhood memoir. Both reflect his habit of thinking about education through everyday experience. His students included Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. His style is plain and approachable, drawing educational ideas from concrete details of daily life, and he holds a place in the history of modern Dutch educational thought.