Didactic pedagogy has been one of the most influential and long-standing approaches in education. Its roots can be traced back to the earliest forms of schooling and it became dominant during the rise of mass, institutionalized education in the 19th and 20th centuries. Until today, many classrooms still follow this model, where the teacher delivers information, students absorb it, and success is measured by how well they can recall the “right” answers.

On one hand, didactic teaching has played an important role—it provides structure, discipline, and ensures that basic skills like reading and writing are taught effectively. It also reflects practical realities, such as giving parents time to work while schools manage children’s learning. On the other hand, this approach has been critiqued for limiting student agency. Learners often remain passive, with little room to explore ideas, question knowledge, or contribute to their own learning.