Philosophical approaches

Educational approaches and philosophies provide insight into the design and underpinning ideology of some of today’s approaches to pedagogy and curriculum design.

Many of the approaches and practices used in today’s classrooms are based on these foundational ideas and theories. 

While there is limited research that specifically evaluates these approaches in terms  outcomes for students, some of the key features and guiding principles underpinning some of these approaches are based on robust research evidence.

• Use your understanding of philosophical approaches in education to reflect on your own practice
• Consider the alignment between philosophical approaches and particular approaches you use in  your classroom, such as inquiry learning
• Develop cycles of inquiry to help you assess the impact on student learning of changes to your practice inspired by different philosophical approaches 

• How does this educational approach reflect the historical context in which it was first developed?
• What are the similarities and differences between the context in which this approach was developed and is used, and the contexts of Aotearoa New Zealand?
• In what ways would drawing on these methods and approaches support your practice?
• How does this philosophical approach connect to educational research with which you have engaged?