Promoting an Enquiry Based Approach to Teaching and Learning Using the Philosophy for Children (P4C) Methodology

Overview

The project aims to develop students' skills and confidence to participate effectively in seminar discussions. The philosophical enquiry approach uses stimuli such as music, film, stories and pictures to encourage discussions based on philosophical questions that arise from the stimuli, where curiosity, creativity, critical approach and caring are central (Lipmann 1980). Students will put autonomous learning into practice by generating questions, influencing and shaping discussions through their responses, and by observing and giving feedback on their group's progress in using thinking and discussion skills. Following training on the principles and tools of philosophical enquiry, participating tutors will facilitate philosophical enquiry seminars using the tools of philosophical enquiry. A range of evaluation methods will be used to evaluate the impact of using philosophical enquiry on students’ learning.