THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS AND METHODOLOGICAL FEATURES OF HEUTAGOGY IN PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

This article examines the necessity of adapting the education system to changes within the modern digital society. Digitalization, the rapid development of information and communication technologies, and the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence demand transformation and new research directions in the field of education. Traditional pedagogical approaches may not fully meet the needs of today’s students and learners; therefore, new methodological approaches, based on learner autonomy and responsibility, are coming to the forefront.

Among these, the concept of heutagogy holds particular significance. Heutagogy is a learner-centered educational approach grounded in autonomy, self-directedness, and responsibility. This concept emphasizes not only the acquisition of ready-made information, but also its independent construction, reflection, and application in practice. It is considered a new stage of development following pedagogy (teaching children) and andragogy (teaching adults).

The study involved a literature review of the theoretical foundations and methodological characteristics of heutagogy, identifying its place within the educational system. An analysis of Google Scholar and international academic sources revealed that heutagogy is widely discussed in the global scholarly community, whereas in the CIS countries and Kazakhstan it is still at a formative stage. Nevertheless, domestic research highlights its key principles—learner autonomy, self-direction, motivation, and reflection—allowing heutagogy to be regarded as an innovative methodological foundation of education.

Heutagogy aligns with the requirements of the modern digital society, as it enables learners to build individual learning trajectories, effectively use digital resources, and monitor progress through self-assessment. This approach fosters the development of meta-skills and soft skills essential for the 21st century, and it becomes a crucial mechanism for implementing the lifelong learning concept. Moreover, heutagogy enhances creativity, ensures continuous knowledge renewal, and strengthens professional adaptability.

In conclusion, heutagogy represents an innovative direction in modern education, both theoretically and practically. Its advantages, compared to traditional pedagogy and andragogy, lie in its focus on learner activity, independence, and self-development.

The study demonstrated that heutagogy, its theoretical foundations, historical development, and place in pedagogical science deserve more in-depth exploration. The literature review confirmed the need for further research and proved the significant contribution of heutagogy to improving the educational process in the digital era.