Pedagogical Theories and Practices help in Encouraging Learning by Design

Kalantzis and Cope formulated pedagogical theories and practices that built in notions of learning by design22. The ultimate goal was to improve learning experiences for different categories of learners; ensuring that such experiences are meaningful and inclusive. Kalantzis and Cope were informed by Multilateralism which they helped to conceive. There work illustrates several objectives that indicate important orientation of work. These include: one, widely recognizing diverse learning needs of both learners and educators and promoting theories and practices that support student learning needs; two, improving the understanding of concepts related to the theory of Multilateralism and a capacity to incorporate ideas related to the theory to diverse teaching and learning contexts; three, enhancing multimodal techniques and practices of teaching awareness and improving teaching capacity in multimodal ways applying digital technologies where appropriate; four, improving the level of skill and knowledge of learners for the purpose of them achieving their aspirations and participate meaningfully in the peer groups and communities to which they are part and make their contributions to societies which they belong; last but not least, expanding teachers professional practice repertoires while assisting them acquire the confidence to combine and synthesize these practices appropriately23.

In general, pedagogical theories and practices highlights the important place learners and their learning needs occupy in learning by design. These theories and practices encourage and provide knowledge to educators on the need to create learning environments which engage the sensibilities of learners who are increasingly involved in digital environments and multimodal settings24. The theories and practices emphasize more on the role of the student in the learning process. Learning by design puts the student as the focal point. This is because it accommodates diverse learning needs and diverse learning preferences. Educators cannot treat all learners in the same manner25.

There must always be a convincing pedagogy and possible rationale behind it for the learning to occur in a learning environment26. Pedagogy presents the essence of schooling that under gird the entire educational sector. He contends that:

The reform of schooling must start with and be subsequently defined by pedagogical practice that is democratic. New organizational designs must emerge from pedagogy, the essence of schooling, and be shaped by it. It must not be the way it has been throughout the century, pedagogy accommodating to organization. Rather, pedagogy must create organization’s structure; pedagogy must shape organizational culture. From democratic pedagogy will raise democratic organization27.

In sum, theory and practices of pedagogy is the science and art of education.