The activity approach to the pedagogical process in the comprehensive school of Western Europe and Russia at the end of XIX – the beginning of the XX centuries

Abstract. The intensive theoretical development of the problems of the activity approach to the pedagogical process was happening at the end of XIX – the beginning of the XX centuries. It was the special period in the history of a mankind. The rapid development of science and equipment, mechanical production, city building, railroads and communication lines led to the basic changes in the life of people. There was an urgent need in the education reforming. The comprehensive school was exposed to the sharp criticism for dogmatism, verbal nature of training, separation from the reality. The pedagogical discussion was held, the participants of which tried to overcome the traditional opposition of intellectual and physical activity and to consider these activities in unity and interrelation. The problems of the rapprochement of school with life, practice, independence development and initiative of pupils were especially actual. For the solution of these problems it was supposed to use the activity approach to the pedagogical process. The essence of the activity approach consisted in the use of different types of self-dependent pupils activity for stimulation of versatile development, the didactic and educational purposes.