haridusteadust

Haridusteadust, literally education science, is the interdisciplinary scholarly field that studies education and learning across formal and informal settings. It seeks to understand how people acquire knowledge, how teaching can be organized most effectively, and how educational institutions shape individual and social outcomes.

Its subfields span pedagogy and didactics, curriculum studies, assessment and evaluation, educational psychology, sociology of education, comparative education, and educational policy and administration. Researchers often examine classroom practices, school organization, and the broader social, cultural, and political contexts of education.

Methodologically, haridusteadust uses qualitative methods such as interviews and ethnography, quantitative methods including large-scale surveys and experiments, and mixed-methods designs. Studies may focus on learning processes, instructional design, equity and inclusion, or system-level reforms.

Historically, the field emerged in Europe and North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, drawing on psychology, sociology, philosophy, and pedagogy. It has been influenced by theorists such as Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, and Freire, among others, and has evolved to address contemporary issues such as digital learning, inclusive education, and lifelong learning.

In practice, haridusteadust informs teacher education, curriculum development, assessment policy, and educational reform. It aims to provide evidence-based insights to improve learning outcomes, reduce inequities, and adapt to changing social needs.