The figure of the pedagogue is essential within educational institutions, since it provides help to children and young people to obtain a quality education.
The systems used in education can be very complicated and create great expectations, both positive and negative, and that is why it has been necessary to create other alternatives so that students can better grasp all the information that is given in the classroom.
For this reason, the figure of the pedagogue arises , who is a pedagogical professional who has psychosocial knowledge to help the child better understand some topic or approach that he or she cannot understand by himself, in the same way, it helps him to get better involved with his environment.
And it is the reason for this article, where we will talk about what the pedagogue does, the types that exist and the problems they deal with.
What does the pedagogue do?
All the psychosocial and educational knowledge that these figures possess is in favor of planning, executing and evaluating educational programs that are beneficial for children and their own learning system. That way you can get a more nutritious and less complicated lesson.
The pedagogue uses an infinity of sciences, such as psychology, anthropology, sociology and philosophy , among others. He also uses didactic materials that are intended to facilitate the learning process and thus ensure that students grasp and understand everything that is being taught, which is why he relies on dynamic and functional tools to achieve his goals.
Pedagogues through history
There are endless pedagogues who throughout history have made great contributions to the world of pedagogy, such as Paulo Freire, an educator of Brazilian origin who has established some foundations that are essential from his point of view.
One of its main premise is based on the fact that teaching requires knowing how to listen, all of us are capable of learning since study is not a process in which ideas are consumed, on the contrary, they are created. It is worth mentioning other pedagogues who, like Freire, have left some important theories, among them we can mention Robert Gagné, Jürgen Habermas and Iván Petrovich Pavlov.
Formerly the children were accompanied to schools by a slave who was given the name of ‘paidagogos’, a Greek term composed of ‘paidos’ whose meaning is child and ‘gogía’ which means to drive or carry, these people were painters or writers working for the wealthy families of the time. Currently pedagogy has become a science oriented to the education of human beings and their development in society.
Characteristics of pedagogues
Today, the pedagogue accompanies and guides children, young people and adults to learn to assimilate all the knowledge acquired and also motivates them to continue investigating and deepening so as not to learn what is said by heart. Pedagogues must have certain characteristics that make them suitable people to fulfill their tasks, which we will mention below.
- You have to be an individual with a positive vision, so that you can motivate others.
- Must be an understanding person both with students and with parents and teachers.
- Your demeanor should be friendly to gain people’s trust so you can help them.
- It has to be seen as a guide that helps to have tools to carry out a good study and obtain quality learning.
- You must have a great ability to develop strategies that allow students to learn differently.
- Possess a rich and captivating language, both to capture the attention of students, and to resolve possible conflicts that may arise.
- You must know how to listen to your students with attention and care. As well as providing effective solutions to each of your concerns and problems.
Types of pedagogues and what problems they deal with
Find out now what types of pedagogues exist and what their field of action is.
1. Descriptive pedagogues
This professional makes theories that contribute to finding the best way to teach in the real world, his descriptions are based on the observation of reality by carrying out field work, from which he obtains their respective conclusions.
2. Child Pedagogues
His work is based on creating techniques that allow younger children to have the necessary tools to learn in the best possible way. In the first years of life, children are like a sponge that absorbs everything they see and hear, so it is important that they are offered an education that focuses on them.
3. Social pedagogues
Ideally, children and young people go to their educational centers daily and receive a good education, but this is not entirely true since many children are at social risk and this is where the figure of the social pedagogue appears. Its main function is to create patterns that help children, young people and people who are in precarious conditions to learn.
4. Critical pedagogues
They are in charge of analyzing and failing the different methods that are used in education, in the same way, they look for and detect the faults and mistakes that they may present. It is also their job to implement solutions and restructure education in schools.
5. Conceptual pedagogues
They are those who have a deeper vision of learning and education, which is why they aim to teach students of any age about emotional intelligence, interpersonal relationships and problem solving. In order that they can have a better adaptation and coping with social reality.
6. Pedagogues in formal contexts
Professional who bases his studies in schools, high schools and universities, where they carry out a series of jobs which require the participation of parents, teachers and professors for better results. We know that the involvement of parents and authority figures radically improves student achievement.
7. Special pedagogues
They guide their work towards those with special abilities, adapting an ideal form of teaching so that they can learn according to their possibilities. So that any student can have the opportunity to acquire knowledge regardless of their learning difficulties.
8. Occupational pedagogues
Its job is to design programs, evaluations and plans that allow people to have occupational and professional training that will allow them to secure an economic future.
9. Business pedagogues
They are those who carry out their work in companies and their function is to train staff through sessions and evaluations, to ensure good planning, training and detection of problems and search for possible solutions.
10. Playful pedagogues
They are in charge of imparting the teachings through games, this implies the execution of different elements that allow the child to better retain what they have learned, instead of traditional education. It is a teaching that occurs naturally and as age advances, in the same way, the complexity of the games also increases, which represents a challenge for students.
11. Sports educators
He is considered an educator-coach who specializes in a sports discipline and believes in a comprehensive education and as part of a whole, which every athlete must have access to, so that he can have an excellent performance.
12. Political educators
These figures are responsible for studying the relationships of individuals with other people within society, their influences, development in learning and impact on it.
13. Family pedagogues
The absence of a pedagogical orientation within the family nucleus when the children’s education is taught there. Because it can lead to permissiveness that leads to alarming situations, that is why the figure of the family pedagogue is important to help parents know how to teach their children without imposing a particular doctrine.
14. Experimental pedagogues
They are those professionals who carry out the study of the schooling of adults and the elderly, they exercise their function in educational centers for adults.
15. Philosophical pedagogues
His studies are based on the application of pedagogy but separating from the empirical field. This expert analyzes the structures that are part of the educational process, the methods used and their values.
16. Theological pedagogues
They are related to the religious education that is taught in educational centers and discloses everything related to the study of God and the knowledge of him.
17. Clinical pedagogues
When a child does not adapt to the teachings that he has in his school and fails in his studies, it is recommended that he be evaluated by a clinical pedagogue, since he will help him with his problem by giving him effective solutions that will allow him to overcome his difficulties.
18. Intercultural pedagogues
They are professionals who seek to eradicate the different elements that hinder healthy coexistence in schools due to the different cultures that society has, such as: Racism, discrimination and exclusion, whether social, religious, sexual, race and/or xenophobia.
19. Psychological pedagogues
They are responsible for studying and determining personality traits and help students solve problems such as mistreatment, abuse, poor performance, attention deficit and personality disorders.
20. Therapeutic pedagogues
They are in charge of helping children and young people in a personalized way who have certain difficulties that differentiate them from the rest. Their function is not exclusive to children with disabilities, but they are also aimed at anyone who needs help throughout their student life.
Pedagogues are not only exclusive to help children and young people, they are also indicated to provide assistance to any person regardless of age.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
