Pedagogical Theory and Practice assists Students to Look at the Curriculum from a Multiple Perspective

Pedagogical theory and practice assists culturally responsive teachers to guide students in interrogating the curriculum critically by having them address inaccuracies and distortions in the text; and broadening it to in include multiple perspectives44. Pedagogy provides for curriculum interrogation for two main reasons; to help students from marginalized groups to overcome the sense of alienation many of them experience in school. It also prepares all students to fight all sought of inequality rather that assimilating inequitable social arrangements.

Theories and practices of pedagogy also encourage culturally responsive teaching to use varied approaches to student learning. It insists on the provision of standardized tests which offer information about how students measure to standardized educational criteria relative to others who have done the same test. A result from such tests provides insight into progress made towards equalizing educational opportunities available in society, or vice versa. In America for instance, the National Assessment Educational Program in the analysis of scores over time indicate whether the gap between the achievement of white students and that of students of colour has narrowed or widened. Such information is necessary for policy makers and educators. Pedagogy endeavours to use tests and assessment in the service of teaching and learning. Assists teachers in identifying particular strengths and weaknesses of students to assist then learn accordingly. Teachers are also able to design the most effective ways of building on what the students already know while helping them grow academically45.

Assessments are important tools of learning; tools that aid the student development of understanding. Assessments go beyond multiple choice items which focus mainly on recall of factual information. Pedagogy on the other hand encourages learning centred assessments that require learners to construct responses rather than pick the right answer. It also helps in encouraging solving problems in the real world than applying their skills in decontextualized ways. For instance, it requires students to be asked to practice their developing competences through exhibitions, debates and others. Theories and practices of pedagogy encourage culturally responsible teachers to use consistently such authentic assessments46.

Conclusion

Theories and practices of pedagogy help improve students learning experiences in diverse ways. For instance: they help in promoting the use of education research to improve the learning experiences of students; builds the environment that assists in supporting students learning experiences; raise students motivation and engagement in learning; encourages teaching that builds on students prior learning; encourages students to exercise competence and leaning by design; and promotes the use of educational research to improve student learning experiences