International Handbook of Holistic Education

The Handbook provides an in-depth look at holistic education, including its history, theories, practices, and research. It offers a global perspective and is organized into five sections, covering theoretical foundations, practical examples, research methods, connections with research practice, and emerging trends. It is a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2018
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Providing a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of holistic education's rich history, concepts, practices, and research, this Handbook offers a current and global perspective on the field. Structured into five sections, the Handbook provides a foundational understanding of holistic education's theoretical and historical underpinnings, showcases real-world examples of holistic education in practice across schools, programs, and pedagogies at various levels, explores the research methodologies employed in holistic education, highlights the growing efforts among holistic educators to bridge holistic teaching and learning with research practices, and examines emerging trends and promising areas of focus in program development, inquiry, and research. This indispensable resource is a must-have for researchers and practitioners, serving as a vital foundational text for courses in the field.

Holistic education is a philosophy and approach to learning that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of a person's life, including their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. It originated in the 19th century and has since gained popularity in many parts of the world. Holistic education is based on the belief that education should not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge and skills but should also aim to develop a person's whole being, including their character, values, and sense of purpose.

One of the key principles of holistic education is that learning should be student-centered and experiential. This means that students should be actively involved in their learning process and that learning should be relevant to their lives and experiences. Holistic educators believe that students learn best when they are engaged, motivated, and challenged, and that learning should be tailored to meet the individual needs and interests of each student.

Holistic education also emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability and social justice. Holistic educators believe that the environment is an essential component of learning and that students should be taught to appreciate and protect the environment. They also believe that education should be used to promote social justice and to address the inequalities and injustices that exist in society.

Holistic education is practiced in a variety of settings, including schools, universities, and community organizations. It can be implemented in a variety of ways, including through interdisciplinary teaching, project-based learning, and experiential learning. Holistic education is also often integrated with other disciplines, such as art, music, and physical education, to create a well-rounded and comprehensive education.

Research on holistic education has shown that it can have a positive impact on students' academic performance, social skills, and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that holistic education can help students to develop a sense of self-awareness, empathy, and compassion, and can help them to become more resilient and adaptable. Holistic education can also help students to develop a sense of purpose and to connect with their communities and the natural world.

Despite the many benefits of holistic education, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed. One of the challenges is the lack of standardized definitions and frameworks for holistic education, which can make it difficult to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of holistic education programs. Another challenge is the lack of funding and resources for holistic education, which can make it difficult for schools and organizations to implement holistic education programs.

In conclusion, holistic education is a philosophy and approach to learning that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of a person's life, including their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. It is student-centered and experiential, and emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability and social justice. Holistic education is practiced in a variety of settings and can be implemented in a variety of ways, and has been shown to have a positive impact on students' academic performance, social skills, and emotional well-being. However, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed in order to promote the growth and effectiveness of holistic education.

Weight: 738g
Dimension: 179 x 254 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138082656