On a Pathway Towards a Holistic Approach to Virtue Education: A Case of the e-TAP Curriculum

Abstract

A holistic approach is becoming increasingly significant in 21st century education. To address the cognitive, affective, and behavioural aspects of morality, the holistic approach to character (virtue) education as part of 21st century school education is essential. For the purpose of this research, the virtue education curriculum launched in Latvia in 2021 within the research project “e-TAP” was chosen. This article aimed to analyse the e-TAP curriculum (fall 2022 version), corresponding to the requirements for a well-designed character education programme. To address the research goal, the following research questions were put forward: Does the e-TAP curriculum meet all the criteria proposed for a character education programme prototype? Has the holistic learning approach been incorporated into the e-TAP curriculum at various design levels? For this empirical study, an explanatory sequential research design was implemented. To address the first research question, a 19-item questionnaire with a 4-point Likert scale was used involving three independent experts to evaluate the e-TAP curriculum according to the criteria and indicators for a character education programme prototype. To address the second research question, the Excel data matrix was used as an evaluation form to analyse the e-TAP curriculum at different design levels. Employing deductive content analysis, two independent experts collaborated while coding the e-TAP curriculum activities (n = 574), which were combined in 124 lessons grouped into 17 topics within five modules. According to the experts’ consolidated evaluation results, the e-TAP curriculum fully corresponded to the requirements of a well-designed character education programme: it met all the proposed criteria for a character education programme prototype and addressed the holistic learning approach on all its design levels (activity, lesson, topic, and module). Some implications for researchers and practitioners were proposed.