Pedagogy Practices-Transforming education system
By: M Ahmad
The term ‘Pedagogy,’ refers to the strategy of how educators teach, in practice and theory. Pedagogy is shaped by the teaching beliefs of a teacher and relates the interplay between culture and a variety of modern technological methods of teaching. Put simply, pedagogy in education is the study of optimal frameworks and techniques for teaching and learning and their execution.
Pedagogy is taken from Ancient Greek (paidagōgía), most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political, and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken as an academic discipline, is the study of how knowledge and skills are imparted in an educational context, and it considers the interactions that take place during learning. Both the theory and practice of pedagogy vary greatly as they reflect different social, political, and cultural contexts.
The pedagogy adopted by teachers shapes their actions, judgments, and teaching strategies by taking into consideration theories of learning, understandings of students and their needs, and the backgrounds and interests of individual students. Its aims may range from furthering liberal education (the general development of human potential) to the narrower specifics of vocational education (the imparting and acquisition of specific skills).
Conventional western pedagogies view the teacher as knowledge holder and student as the recipient of knowledge but theories of pedagogy increasingly identify the student as an agent and the teacher as a facilitator.
The meaning of the term “pedagogy” is often contested and a great variety of definitions has been suggested. The most common approach is to define it as the study or science of teaching methods. In this sense, it is the methodology of education.
As a methodology, it investigates the ways and practices that can be used to realize the aims of education. The main aim is often identified with the transmission of knowledge. Other aims include fostering skills and character traits. They include helping the student develop their intellectual and social abilities as well as psychomotor and affective learning, which are about developing practical skills and adequate emotional dispositions, respectively.
A child enters school with little if any attainment in written expression and leaves it capable of learning much from human culture. It was thought originally that such progress was just a matter of learning, memorizing, associating, and practicing.
The work of psychologists has revealed, however, that the growth of the pupil’s intellectual powers must include a large element of development through different phases, beginning with simple sensor motor coordination; going on to the beginnings of symbolizing, helped by the growth of language and play; and then on to logical thought, provided the material is concrete; and, finally, in mid adolescence, on to the power to examine problems comprehensively, to grasp their formal structure, and to evoke explanation. Regarding emotional experience, the child progresses from direct, immediate, uninhibited reactions to more complex, less direct and more circumspect responses.
The physical growth of the child is so obvious as to need no comment. Any attempt to educate the child intellectually and emotionally and for action must take account of those characteristics. Education must pace development, not follow it and not ignore it. The components in the child’s overall educational growth are physical and mental maturation, experience, formal teaching through language, and an urge in the learner to resolve discrepancies, anomalies, and dissonances in experience.
One popular pedagogy for teaching is ‘Constructivist pedagogy’, which emphasizes the importance of active learning and student engagement in the learning process. This approach emphasizes the idea that knowledge is constructed by the learner, rather than simply being transmitted by the teacher. Pedagogy is the way teachers educate students in theory and practice. To explain the material efficiently, they have to establish appropriate classroom relationships. It concerns the connection between culture and different learning methods.
When it’s thought-through, it increases the effectiveness of the learning process. Besides, it can enhance the development of various skills essential for students. Pedagogy plays a crucial role in determining the learning outcomes of students. A well-designed pedagogical approach can foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity among students. On the other hand, a poor pedagogical approach can lead to disengagement, boredom, and lack of motivation among students. Therefore, it is important for educators to understand the impact of pedagogy on the learning process and to continuously improve their teaching methods to ensure positive learning outcomes for their students.
Different school systems have different approaches to pedagogy, such as project-based learning or direct instruction. Many schools have moved away from collaborative learning whilst others see this as an essential part of the educational experience. Whatever learning environment you are operating in, investing in the development of sound classroom pedagogy is essential. Another key aspect of pedagogy for the modern classroom is the use of flipped learning, in which traditional instructional methods are reversed, with students gaining foundational knowledge outside of class and then applying that knowledge in class through hands-on activities and problem-solving. This approach can help to engage students and to make learning more interactive and relevant to their lives.
Constructivist pedagogy encourages students to ask questions, explore ideas, and collaborate with others in order to build their own understanding of the material. By using this approach, teachers can help students to develop critical thinking skills and become more independent learners.
(M Ahmad is a regular writer for this newspaper and can be reached at [email protected])
Kashmir Images is an English language daily newspaper published from Srinagar (J&K), India. The newspaper is one of the largest circulated English dailies of Kashmir and its hard copies reach every nook and corner of Kashmir Valley besides Jammu and Ladakh region.
