Wilhelm August Lay (30 July 1862, Botzingen - 9 May 1926, Karlsruhe) was a German educator and psychologist who is considered one of the founders of experimental pedagogy.
In the fall of 1883, he took a leave of absence to prepare for the examination as a secondary school teacher at the Polytechnic in Karlsruhe and, in the last semester, at the University of Freiburg.
Lay developed a scientific approach to education, believing that it should be based on empirical research and observation, rather than tradition or personal opinion.
He also emphasized the importance of active learning, expressing the view that students should be encouraged to explore and discover their own knowledge, rather than simply being passive recipients of information.
Lay also took care to ensure that teaching and education are based on the natural development of the child: he believed that teachers should use methods tailored to the individual needs of each student.
[4] Lay believed that education should be based on the natural development of the child, and that teachers should use methods that are tailored to the individual needs of each student.