Assessment, Learning & Teaching Reflections |
Thursday 5 January
The word ‘pedagogy’ is now commonly used within educational communities. But what does it mean? Dictionary definitions often refer to the art and science of teaching. Sometimes learning is mentioned in these definitions, and sometimes, even more specifically, pedagogy is linked to teaching children. More scholarly definitions also exist, and these tend to see pedagogy relating to both children and adults. One prominent scholar has argued that pedagogy is any conscious activity by one person to enhance learning in another. My favourite, though, is another scholarly definition that suggests pedagogy consists of four interdependent elements of learning, teaching, subject matter and context.
Why do I prefer this definition? It’s helpful, firstly, because it encourages us to consider the four elements together rather than separately. This is important because much educational research has investigated the single elements in isolation. I think we lose more than we gain through such an approach. And secondly, it’s helpful because it reveals the need to consider subject matter and context in relation to learning and teaching. Teaching and learning maths is clearly different from teaching and learning volleyball. Learning maths in the supermarket is different from maths learned in the classroom, or in the gym.
David Kirk
Dean, Carnegie faculty
