The 6 branches of Pedagogy (and their characteristics)

A summary of the different branches of pedagogy, and of those methods with which they work.

We hear a lot about pedagogy, but... do we know exactly what it is?

It is the science that studies the methodology and teaching techniques that can be applied so that students learn. Like any science, it includes a number of distinct branches.

In this article we will talk about the 6 branches of PedagogyIn this article we will tell you what are its fundamental characteristics, its objectives and some examples of educational strategies used from each of these areas of work.

What is Pedagogy?

Before going into the 6 branches of pedagogy, let's first explain what pedagogy is. It is the science that studies the methodology and the different techniques that can be applied in teaching..

Although teaching (and learning) lasts practically all life, it is also true that it is in the infant stage where it takes on special relevance, through schooling. That is why pedagogy focuses especially on children's learning, although it can also go beyond that.

Through Pedagogy methods are designed to teach students, as well as different educational strategies to make learning possible.. It is also essential to know the profile of each student (their interests, motivations, strengths, weaknesses, intelligence, abilities, etc.).

The branches of Pedagogy, summarized

Now, let's see what are the 6 branches of Pedagogy, as well as their fundamental characteristics.

1. Experiential Pedagogy

The first of the 6 branches of pedagogy that we are going to explain is experiential pedagogy. This is fundamentally based on the experiences of the students themselves to enrich their learning process.. That is to say, it uses these experiences (generally lived outside the school context) so that students learn and internalize values such as diversity and equality.

In addition, these life experiences can be very useful to raise debates in class, listening and expressing different opinions. It is through discussions that students can broaden their perspective on things, i.e., "broaden their horizons". Experiential pedagogy seeks to do just that.

On the other hand, this branch of Pedagogy relies on one's own mistakes to grow, learn and evolve. (in short, in life experiences).

Examples of educational practices that are part of experiential pedagogy are: using role-plays to play different "roles" in class, projecting videos on different topics, etc. Many of these resources also serve to work on empathy and how it would be to live one experience or another in life.

2. Pedagogy of modeling

The second of the 6 branches of pedagogy is the pedagogy of modeling. In order to develop educational practices through this branch, a person is required to act as a model (i.e., someone who is an expert in some subject, process, skill, etc.). It is also essential that what is to be transmitted or taught is reproduced verbally or in images, but explicitly.

The function of the model will be to reproduce certain behaviors, actions, tasks and patterns that are intended to be taught to the learner, so that the learner will also reproduce them, through imitation and internalization of the explanations..

The message conveyed through the pedagogy of modeling is that it is possible to teach through imitation and thanks to a person who is an expert in some subject, who transmits his knowledge to the students through language, his actions, etc.

If, in addition, this model (beyond the teachers, who are fundamental models) is well known and outstanding in some subject (i.e., enjoys a certain status), it is more likely that learning will take place, because his or her "reliability" increases in the eyes of the students. Logically, however, learning is also influenced by the learner's motivations and capabilities.

3. Differentiated pedagogy

Differentiated Pedagogy, another of the 6 branches of Pedagogy, seeks to enhance the learning of each student, individually and adapted to his or her level, age, abilities, difficulties, etc.etc.

That is to say, the professionals who follow this branch use the available pedagogical resources (and if they do not exist, they create them) to be able to adapt to the individual differences of each student; that is to say, to be able to teach in diversity.

Through adaptations of materials, curricular adaptations, individualized plansThe aim is to maximize the student's learning, as well as to adapt to his or her interests, needs and abilities.

As a result of this reality, differentiated pedagogy was born, which is becoming more and more popular due to the great diversity of students, as well as the existence of so many learning and neurodevelopmental disorders in the classroom.

4. Cybernetic pedagogy

Cyber pedagogy uses different technologies to enhance student learning. In other words, it is about teaching (or complementing "normative" teaching) through various technological resources, such as: e-learning platforms, tablet or mobile apps, websites, etc.such as: e-learning platforms, tablet or mobile phone apps, web pages, etc.

It is an undeniable reality that technology has improved our lives in some aspects (one of them, education), although it is true that its use must also be controlled for this improvement to be real. In other words, everything in its proper measure. As a complementary tool to learning (and above all to make it easier for all students to have access to it) it can be very effective. The most important thing is the professional, and the use he/she makes of the different technological options available.

In addition, technology can also be used to can also be used to increase learner motivation.through videos, images, interactive activities, incorporating sound and/or music, etc. This is especially beneficial for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

In short, cybernetic pedagogy is an innovative and booming branch of pedagogy, and can be very effective in the learning process, although always with the use of guidelines and through a continuous evaluation of the same.

5. Pedagogy of the relationship between theory and practice

This branch of pedagogy, as its name suggests, relates theory to practice; that is, it analyzes, through the different pedagogical contributions and theories, how teaching and educational practice can be improved. On the other hand, seeks that it is the student himself who, through the reflection of his experiences, learns how to improve his teaching and educational practice..

6. Multisensory pedagogy

Multisensory Pedagogy (or Multisensory Learning Pedagogy), the last of the 6 branches of Pedagogy, tries, through the use of all the senses, to promote learning in students..

That is to say, it is based fundamentally on the senses, since it is these that allow the student to acquire certain skills, understand certain meanings, etc. It is, therefore, a branch that advocates a more sensory type of learning.

Bibliographical references:

• Carvajal Alvarado, G. (2002). Differentiated Pedagogy: According to Philippe Meirieu. Diálogos Revista Electrónica de Historia, 3(2-3):
• De Battisti, P. J. (2011) Classifications of General Pedagogy and Specific Pedagogies: an analysis of the demarcations made by specialists in the pedagogical field. VIII Encuentro de Cátedras de Pedagogía de Universidades Nacionales Argentinas, La Plata.
• Piaget, J. (2019). Psychology and pedagogy. Siglo Veintiuno Editores Argentina, S.A.