The Place of Philosophy in Educational Research in Kazakhstan

Is there a place for philosophy in educational research in Kazakhstan David Bridges The presentation will start by challenging prevalent assumptions about educational research that see it as exclusively empirical and offer randomised controlled trials as ‘the gold standard’ for educational research. It will argue that disciplined forms of inquiry found right across the academy, from history to ethnography, from biography to philosophy, from neuro-science to the creative arts all have something to offer. It will then illustrate the contributions of philosophy under the following headings: • Philosophy as a canon of literature representing systematic treatments of education within a framework of social and ethical thought and educational principles and values • Philosophy as a critical and analytic approach to any body of knowledge • Philosophy of educational research – examining in particular the epistemological bases of its methodology and the ethical bases of its conduct The presentation will argue that such contributions are indispensable components of educational research in Kazakhstan as anywhere else. Halvor Hoveid The importance of thinking together Thinking as an important practice for teachers’ teaching and students’ learning. Philosophy is a formal way of thinking in relation to history and culture. To think, as a part of teaching and learning practice, is to be open to thinking about teaching and learning at the place you are, here, and as something you can practice just now. We have to recognize the importance of teachers and students ability to think outside of the strict patterns that is defined as goals in education. To make space for the ability to think is to understand teaching and learning in a wider context. What does it mean to engage teachers and students in thinking? What is the difference between thinking individually and collectively? How is the use of language related to thinking? To take more space and time for teachers and students to practice thinking is to work with an attitude about the importance of thinking as the main content of teaching and learning capabilities.