A Review of Empirical Research on Waldorf Education in Taiwan.

Waldorf education is a relatively widespread form of experimental education. It has reached 67 countries worldwide and has been widely recognized and valued by Taiwanese education circles, ranging from early childhood education to compulsory education at all levels. This paper focused on Waldorf education in Taiwan, where the aim of such education is the holistic development of the student throughout their academic journey. Following a search with "Waldorf" or "Anthroposophy" as the keyword for the paper title, 94 empirical studies were analyzed, comprising 16 empirical journal articles and 78 Ph.D. dissertations. The literature analysis method was used, and the literature was analyzed from five perspectives: research time, research methods, educational stages of research objects, research themes, and research results. The results indicated the following. First, the development of Taiwan's Waldorf schools is consistent with the core values of the philosophy of Waldorf education in terms of curricular development, teaching, school organization, school development, and parental participation. Second, several difficulties, such as those in curriculum development, teaching, school organization, and parental participation, in the empirical study of Waldorf education in Taiwan were noted. Anthroposophy has undergone development in Taiwan for less than 30 years, which is too short for it to have any noticeable contribution. In addition, other aspects of education require greater social support. Third, according to the empirical research on Waldorf education in Taiwan, teaching, learning, and parental participation are the three key factors influencing Waldorf education. Fourth, the empirical research on future improvements suggests that Waldorf education should be adapted to local characteristics but that these adaptations should adhere to the essence of Waldorf education. Furthermore, the development of Waldorf-based schools should be more open and inclusive, with more connections with stakeholders outside the school. The study identified several gaps in the literature that future empirical research on Waldorf education in Taiwan should meet. 1. Research scope: future studies should focus on glocalization and praxis in Waldorf education. 2. Research sample: future studies should focus on extending Waldorf education to the university context and to middle school students and above. 3. Research methods: future studies should conduct mixed-methods research and compare between countries, between schools, or between mainstream and experimental education. 4. Research topics: future studies conduct empirical research on Waldorf education using academic research as a communication tool; focus on reality, addressing today's most relevant challenges, and transform Waldorf education empirical research; enrich and conduct empirical research on learning, learning outcomes, and monitor Waldorf graduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]