Philosophical approaches

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Philosophical approaches

HomeSchool resourcesPhilosophical approaches

Topic summary

Contemporary approaches to teaching and learning in New Zealand and around the world have been and continue to be influenced by the work of seminal educational theorists and thinkers.

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?

Research reviews

A social justice approach to education

The origins of and some of the key approaches associated with social justice in education

Vygotsky’s philosophy of education

The main tenets underpinning Vygotsky’s theory of education

Piaget’s theory of education

An overview of Piaget’s key educational principles

Dewey’s educational philosophy

An introduction to the key principles underpinning John Dewey’s philosophy of education

Webinars

Free webinar: Gert Biesta in conversation

Professor Gert Biesta engages in dialogue with New Zealand school teachers.

Unschooling and self-directed education

This webinar focuses on the concept of unschooling, an approach to self-directed education, which puts children in control of their learning.

Infographics

Snapshots

Unschooling and self-directed education

Key insights from a webinar with Naomi Fisher.
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