Dewey's educational theories were presented in "The School and Society" (1900) and "The Child and the Curriculum" (1902). Throughout these writings, several recurrent themes ring true; Dewey continually argues that education and learning are social and interactive processes, and thus the school itself is a social institution through which social reform can and should take place. In addition, he believed that students thrive in an environment where they are allowed to experience and interact with the curriculum, and all students should have the opportunity to take part in their own learning.

In addition to his ideas regarding what education is and what effect it should have on society, Dewey also had specific notions regarding how education should take place within the classroom. In "The Child and the Curriculum", Dewey discusses two major conflicting schools of thought regarding educational pedagogy. Dewey became one of the most famous proponents of hands-on learning or experiential education, which is related to, but not synonymous with, experiential learning.