Pedagogy, curriculum, teaching practices and teacher education in developing countries

Education rigorous literature review

Abstract

This rigorous literature review focuses on the four interrelated areas of pedagogy, curriculum, teaching practices and teacher education in developing countries. It aimed to review existing evidence to inform future programme design and policy-making undertaken by DFID’s Research and Evidence division, and other agencies and researchers for the global good. In particular, it aimed to present:

  • a clear and authoritative overview of the frameworks and assumptions which underpin pedagogic practices in developed and developing countries and in relation to curriculum and teacher education;
  • an authoritative summary of the quality and extent of evidence supporting those assumptions, focusing on developing countries;
  • existing evidence for developing effective pedagogic interventions in lower- and middle-income countries that can guide development expenditure;
  • critical evidence gaps to guide the development of future research and spending programmes.

The overarching question was: Which pedagogic practices, in which contexts and under what conditions, most effectively support all students to learn at primary and secondary levels in developing countries?
This was explored through three sub-questions:
1. What pedagogical practices are being used by teachers in formal and informal classrooms in developing countries?
2. What is the evidence on the effectiveness of these pedagogical practices, in what conditions, and with what population of learners?
3. How can teacher education (curriculum and practicum) and the school curriculum and guidance materials best support effective pedagogy?

Citation

Westbrook, J.; Durrani, N.; Brown, R.; Orr, D.; Pryor, J.; Boddy, J.; Salvi, F. Pedagogy, curriculum, teaching practices and teacher education in developing countries. Education rigorous literature review. Department for International Development (DFID), London, UK (2013) iv + 144 pp.

Pedagogy, curriculum, teaching practices and teacher education in developing countries

Updates to this page

Published 1 January 2013