Philosophy, Approach and Methodologies - What Comes First?

Now that we have a clearer picture of curriculum, standards, benchmarks, and learning objectives, let’s talk about some other important pieces that fit into the bigger puzzle of teaching and learning.

You might have heard terms like methodologies, approaches, frameworks, pedagogy, and philosophy tossed around in staff meetings or professional development days and I know it can  feel a bit overwhelming. So let’s break them down in a simple way, with some examples you might recognise.

Methodologies are the specific ways or techniques teachers use to help students learn. For example, using project-based learning where students work together to solve real-world problems, or direct instruction when a teacher explicitly teaches a math procedure step-by-step. Another methodology could be cooperative learning, where students work in pairs or small groups to discuss and master content. These are like the tools in a teacher’s toolbox, so you can reach students differently. .

Approaches are broader than methodologies. They are the overall styles or attitudes toward teaching and learning. For example, a student-centered approach focuses on giving learners choice and encouraging independence, while a teacher-centered approach might rely more on lectures and structured lessons. A play-based approach is common in early childhood education, where children learn through exploration and guided play. These approaches shape the choice of methodologies you use in the classroom. Other examples would be: Reggio Emilia approach, Montessori, Culturally responsive approach.

Moving a bit higher up, we have frameworks—structured systems that organise curriculum, standards, teaching methods, and assessments into a coherent whole. Take the International Baccalaureate (IB), for instance, which provides a framework guiding schools on what to teach and how to assess learning within an educational philosophy that values inquiry, global-mindedness, and reflection. Or think about the Common Core in the US, which serves as a framework outlining the knowledge and skills students should develop at each grade level.

Speaking of philosophy, that’s the foundation underneath everything. A school’s educational philosophy answers the “why” behind curriculum and teaching choices. For example, a school with a constructivist philosophy believes students learn best by actively constructing their own understanding, so teachers might design hands-on science experiments or problem-solving activities. Another school might focus on a holistic philosophy, emphasizing emotional and social development alongside academics, so they integrate mindfulness or social-emotional learning into daily routines.

When it comes to planning and organising, you’ll often hear about scope and sequence. The scope is what content, skills, and concepts are covered, the breadth and depth of the curriculum. The sequence is the order in which these topics are taught, carefully arranged so students build knowledge step by step. For example, in math, you wouldn’t teach multiplication before students understand addition and subtraction. The scope and sequence helps ensure that lessons progress logically and build on what students already know.

Assessment is another huge piece of the puzzle. It’s not just about tests or grades. Assessment is how we gather evidence of learning to understand where students are and what they need to work on. For example, a teacher might use a formative assessment like a quick quiz or exit ticket to check if students grasped a new concept that day. Or, a summative assessment like a unit test shows what students have learned over several weeks. Good assessment aligns with learning objectives, helping both teachers and students see progress and decide next steps.

Finally, let’s not forget the hidden curriculum. It’s nothing but the unwritten, unofficial lessons students learn just by being part of a school community. This includes things like how to work cooperatively, respect others, or manage time. For example, when a teacher models kindness and fairness, students absorb those values, even if they’re not written in any syllabus. The hidden curriculum shapes students’ social skills, attitudes, and sense of belonging.

All these concepts: methodologies, approaches, frameworks, pedagogy, philosophy, scope and sequence, assessment, and hidden curriculum, are interconnected and they will guide the learning and teaching experiences. I think you would like an example so you can understand the practical part, right? “The philosophy is the deep belief about learning (for example, constructivism), the approach is the broader strategy that guides the design of learning (like inquiry-based learning), and the methodologies are the concrete tools and practices the teacher uses (like group work, presentations, and real-world projects). They all work together, but they're not the same thing.” Now that you know these concepts better, are you ready to  navigate change confidently and design meaningful learning experiences for your students?