The Future of Education

“Questions Are Answers” is a unique program for practicing philosophical thinking in secondary schools, developed and implemented by ORT Israel and devised in a joint venture with Daniella De-Nur publishers. The innovative curriculum introduces a methodology for group study and discussion that fosters the art of questioning and the development of critical thinking. The program is a game-changer as it considerably strengthens the teachers' impact in the classroom. From being only information providers, they become guides and partners in the discussion. In addition, the program enhances students by encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning and adopt a self-reflective point of view.

The philosophical discussions in the program deal with diverse topics and are not limited to 'classical' topics in philosophy. They differ from other class discussions by their analytical and rational nature and strict philosophic characteristics. This unique approach encourages philosophical thinking amongst students of different levels, and is suitable for teachers of diverse subject matters without formal philosophical background.

To help teachers find their way through this innovative pedagogical method, a teacher’s guide, a booklet of lesson plans and a complementary website were developed. These three components offer a comprehensive pedagogical array, which together with training seminars and ongoing support for the teachers allow for a comprehensive change in teaching methods.

Over the past six years, more than 4,000 students in 20 different schools in the ORT Network participated in philosophical workshops on a weekly basis, moderated by 150 teachers. An evaluation research carried out during the last years of the project found that students who had participated in the workshops improved their thinking skills in five main competencies – argumentation, conceptualization, deepening, problematization, and reflection. The program's success is evidenced by many teachers reporting the continuing use of the teaching method in lessons unrelated to the program.