Pedagogikk

Pedagogikk, or pedagogy, is the science and practice of education and upbringing. It investigates how people learn and how teaching can be organized, including curricula, learning environments, assessment, and educational policy. In many Nordic contexts, pedagogikk is a central field in teacher education and educational research, distinguishing general pedagogy from didactics, which focuses on teaching methods for specific subjects.

The field draws on learning theories—behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism—and development theories from theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky, and Erikson. It also incorporates socio-cultural perspectives, motivation theories, and considerations of inclusion, equity, and ethics. Subfields include general pedagogy, subject didactics (fagdidaktikk), and spesialpedagogikk (special education).

In teaching practice, pedagogy informs classroom management, instructional design, assessment for learning, differentiation, and the use of technology. It emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, and reflective practice. The relationship between pedagogy and didactics is that didactics addresses how to teach particular content, while pedagogy addresses broader questions of teaching and learning processes and the aims of education.

Historically, pedagogy has evolved from early philosophy and religious education to a modern social-science discipline. Major influences include Pestalozzi, Herbart, Froebel, and Dewey, with later contributions from Freire and Vygotsky. Contemporary pedagogy also engages with inclusive education, digital learning, and educational policy. Research methods range from quantitative experiments to qualitative interviews and action research, informing teacher education and curricular reform.