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the concept of pedagogy

Definition of pedagogy
Pedagogy is the discipline and art of teaching, encompassing th strategies, techniques, and methods employed to facilitate learning and educationa development. It involves the stud an application of various approaches to instruction, including the selectio and organization of content, the design of learning activities, th assessment of student progress, and the creation of a supportive and engaging learning environment. Pedagogy also involves considering the unique needs backgrounds, and learning styles o students, and adapting teachin methods accordingly. It is concerned with both the theoretical principles underlying effective teaching and the practical implementation of those principles in the classroom or educational setting.

Quand est née la pédagogie ?
Gottier and others have pointed out that the idea of making pedagogy a science emerged at the end of the 19th century. It gained prominence in both Europe and the United States, with the shared purpose of establishing pedagogy as an applied science based on psychology, which is considered a fundamental discipline. Pedagogy dominated the education of the industrial age, focusing primarily on the selection of educational materials, methods of delivery, and means of assessment. Discussions on curricula, methodologies, teacher training, and evaluation became prevalent.

Defining pedagogy comprehensively is challenging due to its multiple connotations and the lack of clear boundaries that separate it from related concepts such as education and teaching. The overlap between pedagogy and education makes it difficult to distinguish between the two fields. Researchers have resorted to discussing pedagogy as either a theoretical or an applied discipline, as is the case with Hubert in his work "General Pedagogy." Applied pedagogy is considered the art of education and teaching based on empirical standards. The teacher's experience plays a fundamental role in their interactions with learners and subjects. Therefore, applied pedagogy is a broad term that encompasses any relationship between a teacher and a learner for the purpose of education or upbringing, at various levels.

On the other hand, theoretical pedagogy aims to analyze education itself. The differentiation between pedagogy and education relies on the distinction between the nature of their research and the qualitative approaches to pedagogical activities. According to most definitions, pedagogy is considered a theoretical study, while education is seen as practical application. This can be deduced from Dakraym's definition or from Harion's definition, which considers pedagogy as the science of education, whether physical, mental, or moral. Harion suggests that pedagogy should benefit from the findings of other scientific fields that deal with children, such as physiology, psychology, and history.


Another perspective can be derived from Foulquie's definition, which views pedagogy or the science of education as having a theoretical dimension aimed at achieving cognitive accumulation. It gathers facts about curriculum, techniques, and educational phenomena. Education, on the other hand, is defined at the applied level, as it primarily focuses on the practical system aimed at educating and forming learners. Mialaret proposes a classification in his dictionary, distinguishing between theoretical pedagogy and applied pedagogy. The former pertains to theoretical contemplations that are illuminated as a set of applied educational actions and activities.

Basic elements of pedagogy:

The basic elements of pedagogy include:

1. Learning Objectives: These are clear statements that describe what students should know, understand, or be able to do after a learning experience. Learning objectives provide a focus and guide for teaching and learning activities.

2. Content: This refers to the subject matter or topics that are being taught. It includes the knowledge, concepts, theories, facts, and skills that students need to acquire.

3. Instructional Strategies: These are the methods, techniques, and approaches used by teachers to facilitate learning. Instructional strategies may include lectures, discussions, demonstrations, group work, problem-solving activities, hands-on experiments, and multimedia presentations.

4. Assessment and Feedback: Assessment is the process of gathering evidence of student learning to determine their progress and achievement. It involves various forms of evaluation, such as tests, quizzes, projects, and observations. Feedback is essential to provide students with information about their strengths and areas for improvement, enabling them to adjust their learning strategies and enhance their performance.

5. Classroom Environment: The classroom environment encompasses the physical space, resources, and atmosphere that support teaching and learning. A positive and inclusive classroom climate promotes engagement, collaboration, and respect among students and between the teacher and students.

6. Differentiation: Recognizing that students have diverse backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles, differentiation involves tailoring instruction and support to meet individual needs. It may include providing additional resources, adapting materials, varying the pace of instruction, and offering alternative assessment methods.

7. Reflection and Continuous Improvement: Pedagogy involves ongoing reflection and self-assessment by teachers to evaluate the effectiveness of their instructional practices. This reflection allows for adjustments and improvements in teaching methods, content delivery, and student support to enhance learning outcomes.

It's important to note that these elements can be applied differently based on the educational context, subject area, and the specific needs and characteristics of the learners.
Types of pedagogy:

What are the 5 Pedagogical Approaches?

There are 5 different Pedagogical approaches, being the constructivist approach, the collaborative approach, the reflective approach, the integrative approach, and, finally, the inquiry-based approach.

What is Pedagogy?

Pedagogy might sound like a complicated concept, but, put simply, it’s just the method and practice of teaching in general, especially in relation to academic subjects or theoretical concepts. Pedagogy can refer to all levels of teaching, from nursery and primary, all the way up to higher education.

When it comes to the fundamentals of Pedagogy, there are five different approaches to consider. Each of these approaches is usually placed on a spectrum from teacher-focused to learner-focused pedagogy. As the names suggest, teacher-focused pedagogy revolves around teachers, putting them at the centre of the learning process, while learner-focused pedagogy is centred around learners playing an active role in the learning process.

So, what are the 5 pedagogical approaches?

1. The Constructivist Approach

The constructivist approach is based on the concept of constructivism. This is the belief that learners create their own understanding of the world around them, and this understanding is based on experience through their everyday lives as they grow. Using specific experiences, people transform information they’ve accumulated into knowledge and understanding.

This approach is handy for allowing learners to take a more active role in the learning process, as it encourages them to use their previous knowledge as a foundation for understanding new concepts, as opposed to passively receiving information.

2. The Collaborative Approach

The collaborative approach puts a big emphasis on collaborative learning, which is the idea that learners work together to gain a greater understanding of the information they’ve been presented with. The strength of this approach is that learners can capitalise on each other’s understanding of the information, and even their unique skills and resources.

This process allows for learners to create an environment where people can interact with each other by sharing experiences and knowledge. This can be done in a variety of ways, including exchanging ideas and information, and even evaluating or monitoring somebody else’s work.

3. The Reflective Approach

The reflective approach focuses primarily on analysing what the teacher and learners are doing in the classroom. It encourages thinking about teaching practices and figuring out ways to improve them in an attempt to make learning processes more effective for a class of learners. This can be done through processes such as self-evaluation and self-reflection, used as ways to essentially learn more about your own practice, improve a certain practice (like small groups and cooperative learning) or to focus on a problem learners are having.

Some specific forms of assessment that anyone can use in a reflective capacity are diary presentations and journals.

4. The Integrative Approach

The integrative approach differs from the other teaching approaches in the sense that it tries to provide learners with an environment where they can make connections between the current topic they’re learning about and other topics they’ll come across at different stages of the curriculum. This means that it tends to focus on specific connections between different bits of information, rather than facts in isolation.

While this approach is more commonly used in higher education, it can still be quite useful at other stages of education too, as it can help learners gain a broader understanding of the world around them by linking together bits of related information. Studies have shown that this kind of approach can help learners stay engaged on the topics they’re learning abou

5. The Inquiry-Based Approach

The inquiry-based approach is unique in the sense that it encourages learners to engage in exploration, investigation, research and study. It begins with presenting questions, scenarios or problems that require critical thinking to solve, which is vastly different from other approaches where facts are presented in simple manner.

This approach requires more than just simply giving the correct answers to questions and encourages more thoughtful and engaged participation from learners. This makes it incredibly effective when teaching science, as many science topics are more easily learned through an understanding of processes rather than isolated facts.

Importance of Pedagogy in Education and Learning


Pedagogy plays a crucial role in education, providing a solid foundation for effective teaching and learning practices. The significance of pedagogy can be observed in its ability to shape educational experiences and foster meaningful growth in students.

First and foremost, pedagogy equips teachers with a repertoire of instructional strategies and techniques to engage and inspire students. By understanding different learning styles and preferences, educators can tailor their approaches to accommodate diverse needs. This personalized approach promotes active participation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students, leading to deeper understanding and knowledge acquisition.

Furthermore, pedagogy emphasizes the creation of a supportive and inclusive learning environment. By cultivating positive relationships and establishing clear expectations, teachers can foster a sense of belonging and motivation among students. A well-managed classroom encourages collaboration, respect, and open dialogue, facilitating effective communication and enhancing the overall learning experience.

Pedagogy also recognizes the importance of assessment and feedback in student development. Through ongoing evaluation, teachers can identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement, providing timely and constructive feedback to students. This feedback empowers learners to take ownership of their progress and make necessary adjustments, ultimately promoting self-reflection and continuous growth.

Moreover, pedagogy acknowledges the dynamic nature of education and the need for lifelong learning. Teachers who engage with pedagogical theories and research stay updated on the latest educational advancements. They can adapt their teaching methods and incorporate innovative technologies and resources to meet the evolving needs of students in a rapidly changing world.

In summary, the significance of pedagogy lies in its ability to empower teachers with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to create engaging and effective learning experiences. By prioritizing student-centered approaches, fostering an inclusive environment, and embracing continuous improvement, pedagogy paves the way for enhanced student engagement, achievement, and lifelong learning.
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