Paideia Seminars: An example of pedagogical alignment with the New Zealand Curriculum

The authors of this article recommend the use of Paideia Seminars as an example of pedagogical practice that aligns perfectly with the intentions of the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 2024) and the educational aspirations Aotearoa has for its young people. That is, Paideia Seminars provide a platform for student voice, rich interactions, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and plenty of opportunities for students to learn and talk through an interpretive lens. Once students have learned comprehensive curriculum knowledge on the topic to be discussed and have confidence in the type of talk that necessitates quality peer-to-peer interaction, they drive the discussion. Student voice is at the centre of Paideia Seminars. Pedagogy that fosters student voice is essential to the enactment of culturally sustaining pedagogy (Cipriano, 2022). Culturally sustaining pedagogy means that teachers will not only respect each student’s culture but also allow freedom for the evolving culture of all students. Paideia Seminars are also highly relevant to education in New Zealand because when examining any text, be it online or in books; talking to people; or watching relevant YouTube clips or listening to podcasts, students must engage with this material from an evaluative standpoint.