How do you understand the term "pedagogy"

The term ‘pedagogy’ comes from the Greek word ‘παιδαγωγική’ (peδaγojikí), a compound word made from the noun ‘παιδί’ (peδí), which means child and the verb ‘άγω (áγo), which means guide. Since language (a cognitive/cultural tool) and ‘thinking’, are intertwined then my personal ‘understanding’ of the term pedagogy has been primarily affected by my linguistic/cultural background (I am a native Greek speaker).  

According to this argument: Pedagogy is concerned with the guidance of a child by an authority (institution, family, teacher, community) towards a desirable direction (as valued by the community).

Cultural influences on my ‘understanding’ about pedagogy

Influences from Greek language Pedagogy: -       refers to childhood (the word ‘παιδί’ means child’) -       is an action (verb ‘άγω=guide’) -       repositions the learner (The verb ‘άγω means guide) -       is an action from a subject, (a person who performs an actions) to an object, (a persons who is affected by the action) Influences from social/ cultural background Pedagogy: -       guides the learner towards a desirable direction, towards what is considered (socially, politically, morally) as excellent and ideal (Gerou, 1990)

The term ‘Pedagogy’ under the prism of sociocultural ideas

Pedagogy is an overall concept that embraces both theory and practice, and it is experienced in a different and subjective way by each participant. In contrast, with my prior understanding, ‘pedagogy’ has not a prescriptive, one-way, character (guiding the child towards the ‘best’ direction) and is not limited to the age of childhood or to a particular learning place.

Pedagogy is shaped by the social order (policies, values, cultural beliefs), by the enactors, (teacher, institution) who while trying to implement the specified curriculum they are influenced by their personal beliefs about learning and mind and by the learners, who they also bring into the settings their personal histories.

            The figure below attempts to illustrate the ‘changes’ in my perception about pedagogy under the influence of sociocultural ideas.