Rousseau's understanding of education and its contemporary reflections

In 1762, one of the forerunners of Enlightenment, Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote Emile (on Education). This book serves as the basis of this study. In this study, archives, documents and different cases have been examined in an effort to shed light on education in the world and in Turkey as well as educational philosophy. In this respect, a literature review has been conducted about Rousseau's ideas on education. With the aim of identifying the possible effects of Rousseau's educational philosophy, which had focused on a child-centered system, supported investigation and curiosity as well as freedom to ask questions, research had been made to see how the educational understanding of modern Turkey had developed over the years. According to the results of the study, Rousseau's innovative educational approach has had a significant impact on the Turkish education system in the early years of the republic. Many of Rousseau's ideas were adopted in the curriculums in this period. His ideas have established the basis for a constructivist educational system which combines education with experience.