The Pedagogy of Encounter as Via Pulchritudinis: Humanizing 21st-Century Teaching-Learning through Education 5.0 and the Global Compact on Education

Abstract

Pope Francis champions accessible education as an act of hope, reminding educators that the distinctive feature of Catholic education is true humanization. Yet, the rise of Education 4.0, driven by digital learning, often lacks a coherent ethical, human-centered framework. This study investigates the ethical challenges posed by Education 4.0’s reliance on AI, data analytics, and immersive technologies, aiming to evaluate these through Education 5.0 and Pope Francis’ Global Compact on Education (GCE) to propose a theological-pedagogical framework that re-centers Catholic education on humanization. Employing qualitative textual analysis informed by the synodal methodology of listening, discernment, and participation, it explores three questions: (1) What are the pedagogical features of Education 4.0 and 5.0? (2) What opportunities (“lights”) and challenges (“shadows”) emerge when Education 4.0 is viewed through the GCE lens? (3) How can Education 5.0 and the GCE be synthesized into a theological-pedagogical framework for humanization? Findings show Education 4.0 enables AI-enhanced instruction, personalized learning, hybrid modalities, immersive tools, and collaboration, but risks dehumanization, bias, and digital divides. Integrating Education 5.0’s human-centered innovation with the GCE, the study proposes the Pedagogy of Encounter as Via Pulchritudinis (Path of Beauty), a framework affirming beauty as a path to God and a means of proclaiming the Gospel. This offers Catholic education a principled, hopeful way to humanize teaching and learning in the 21st century.