William James’s Pragmatism Unleashed: Igniting Modern Education with Dynamic, Student-Driven Innovation

Abstract William James’s pragmatic educational philosophy, emphasizing practicality, experiential learning, and personalization, offers a transformative framework for modern education, particularly relevant in Vietnam’s shift from theory-centric to practice-oriented systems. This study is driven by the need to address Vietnam’s educational challenges, where overemphasizing rote learning limits stem innovation and global competitiveness. James’s philosophy, rooted in his evolutionary and psychological insights, prioritizes real-world application, as he stated, the teacher’s art is to connect the pupil’s mind with the world’s living realities. The research highlights James’s unique focus on individual agency using historical and comparative analysis and social pragmatism. Results suggest that integrating James’s experiential methods, such as hands-on stem projects and personalized learning, can enhance student engagement and creativity, fostering skills critical for a stem -driven education in Vietnam.