Integral Pedagogy - what is it?

We've often been asked what Integral Pedagogy is and to answer it we've come up with the following: One Foot in the Gutter of the World and the other in the Library.
It has its origins in Ignatian Pedagogy which comes out of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and in turn, the heart of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises is the appreciation of how much God loves us and therefore we cannot but feel compelled to love the world more deeply. Addressed in the first instance to teachers, Integral Pedagogy (or IP), is the way teachers accompany learners using an outward looking world view and a vision of the human person as dignified and loved by God.
Very briefly, IP is a five stage process; the first is a pre-learning element which is the Context. This takes into account things like the students’ environment, background, community and learning style so that the teacher becomes as familiar as possible with the students’ context and life experience. The second is Experience where the teacher creates conditions where students grasp new information in the light of previous experience. This also moves beyond rote learning to one of understanding, applying and being able to analyse knowledge.
The third is Reflection – the key to IP. Here the thoughtful reconsideration of some subject matter, experience, idea or purpose is used in order to grasp its human significance and application to their own lives. In this stage values can be reflected on.
The fourth is Action – this is where concepts are shared and group projects are initiated where the learners move beyond knowledge and “make it real”. The experience and reflection touches the heart and brings about a change of attitude.
The last is Evaluation – Checking on how my attitude has been impacted and thinking about what went well, what needs to be changed and improving further from there.
We've been systematically promoting this pedagogy to Catholic Schools for the last three years via a series of workshops, talks and meetings with educators ranging from teachers and principals to personnel from the Ministry of Education.
Fr Norbert Menezes, the Jesuit educator whose forte is Integral Pedagogy and is the secretary for Jesuit education in South Asia has now visited Singapore for the third time and engaged local Principals and Teachers of all faiths, NIE students, the clergy and parents.
In the 30 minute video below, Fr Menezes introduces the process to a group of teachers.

Integral Pedagogy - Fr Norbert Menezes SJ

Jesuit Father and educator Norbert Menezes returned to Singapore to conduct another series of Integral Pedagogy centred talks aimed at Catholic school teachers, principals, religious education teachers and members of SMCs and Supervisors. The talks and workshops started on the 22nd of February and will continue till the 5th of March. In all, he will meet with groups of educators on nine occasions.
Amongst his topics are: The Core Aspects of Catholic Education, Reflection Skills in Teaching, Leading a Catholic School and How do you evaluate Catholic Ethos.
Fr Menezes is currently the secretary for Jesuit Education for South Asia. He holds 2 Masters degrees - in education as well as Science (Mathematics). He has also authored a total of seven books on education.

Catholic Ethos

In his final workshop today Fr Norbert Menezes interacted with nineteen educators on the topic of Catholic Ethos. Combining a lecture with an opportunity for the individual attendees to voice their concerns and experiences the experienced Jesuit spoke on a number of issues. Amongst them were a fundamental question of what is a Catholic school and what makes a Catholic school Catholic.
He also spoke on the need for an education that leads the young into the sacred space of the human person and of every person making them aware of the inalienable human rights of every individual and group.
Those present included Administration Managers, Principals and teachers.

Integral Pedagogy

 

Fr Norbert Menezes SJ today delivered his third talk in  two days at CAEC. This time addressing a few principals of Catholic schools and tailoring his discussion to a summary of Integral Pedagogy as a vision of what Catholic schools should have. He reiterated its value as a way in which teachers accompany learners in their growth and development. It is an art and science of teaching and cannot be reduced to methodology. And lastly that it must include a world view and a vision of the ideal human person to be educated. The two hour session also included a question and answer time frame.

Integral Pedagogy - A Way Forward

Fr Norbert Menezes,  the renown secretary of Jesuit education in South Asia conducted a workshop for civics and moral education teachers at CAEC, Highland Road today. His topic, Integral Pedagogy, is basically a teaching model that seeks to develop more integrated men and women for others. It is a process whereby a teacher accompanies the students in their intellectual, spiritual and emotional development.
Fr Menezes took the extra step of arriving in Singapore a few days early to familiarise himself with various classroom situations. He also visited local families to be more acquainted with the local conditions.
The session will be for a day and a half with the concluding session tomorrow.
Picture shows Fr Menezes addressing the thirty five educators at a group discussion.