UNIT- V: LIFE ORIENTED CURRICULUM

 

UNIT- I DISCIPLINES AND SUBJECTS

Disciplines and subjects- meaning, definition and concept - Distinction between school subjects and academic disciplines - Importance of the knowledge of disciplines and subjects - Need and importance of studying school subjects - Curriculum content – meaning, definitions and importance - John Dewey’s ideas on disciplinary knowledge and curriculum – Relationship between school subjects and academic discipline

Education

Education empowers human beings and it is used to acquire some knowledge, to realize our potentials, an asset for a lifetime and it is not just a key to open the doors of various professions, a social resource, enabling us to mix with many people. A narrow education, merely serving ones chosen profession.

School Subjects - Meaning

A school subject is an area of learning within the school curriculum on societal expectations. We learn the traditional subjects, such as language, maths, Science, and Social. It is compulsorily taught to the students.

Arrangement of content of knowledge, skills and the transformation of that content to the students in school and classroom teaching. Thus a school subject contains content, and translating content for educational purposes.

School Subjects-Definition

·  A school subject constitutes an organizing framework that gives meaning and shape to curriculum content, teaching, and learning activities (Karmon, 2007)

·  School Subjects is defined as an “area of knowledge that is studied in school”.- (Britannica Encyclopaedia).

Academic Disciplines-Meaning

The term “discipline” originates from the Latin words discipulus, which means pupil, and disciplina, which means teaching (noun). Discipline is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "a branch of learning or scholarly instruction."

A field or branch of learning affiliated with an academic department of a university, formulated for the advancement of research and scholarship. Discipline is for the professional training of researchers and specialists and a part of higher education.

Examples:

Anthropology, Space Science, psychology, sociology, archaeology, Education etc.

Academic disciplines – Definition

“An academic discipline or field of study is a branch of knowledge that is taught and researched as part of higher education”.     Anthony Biglan

A branch of knowledge or learning which is taught or researched at the college or university level.  Glosbe

The main focus of the study of the discipline

The main focus of the study of the discipline are as follows:

•  Methods used to expand disciplinary knowledge

•  Impact of these disciplines on our lives

•  Professions and the disciplines

•  Emergence of academic disciplines

Academic disciplines and subjects

Subjects are grouped under a specific discipline. If one looks at the courses offered by various universities one can see that broadly subjects are classified under the following disciplines.

a) Humanities

b) Social Sciences

c) Natural Sciences

d) Mathematics

e) Business Geosciences

Distinction between school subjects and academic disciplines

Basis of Difference	School subjects	Academic disciplines
Education	School Education		Higher Education
Aims of Education	Development of basic skills and awareness. Development of a social citizen.		Development of specialised Knowledge and Skills. Development of Scholars, Researchers, Academics, Specialists, etc.,
Nature of content	Simple ideas and information’s.		Complex theories of Educators
Curriculum Construction	Considering needs, wants of learners. Includes learner centred teaching methods		Contents are arranged for the development of different specialised skills at complex and wider levels.
Curricular  Activities	It includes curriculum content, teaching, and learning activities.		It includes social issues, current trends and research
Development of Skills	Gives importance for the development of basic skills, such as reading , writing and arithmetic.		Gives importance for the development of specialised skills, mainly professional and vocational skills
Area of Operation	Limited to Schools.		For University and other Higher Education.
Developmental Phases	School subjects come first in the development of a person.		Academic disciplines comes later in one’s learning journey from school to University
Association	Associated with educational institutions		An academic discipline has wider connotations
Basic Response	Response to different social, cultural, and political demands and challenges, and towards educational aims.		Research-based through academic disciplines

             

Importance of the knowledge of disciplines and subjects

Most teachers are involved in teaching and learning activities that concern a particular subject. Yet the understanding of disciplines and subjects is extremely vital for the following reasons:

Justice to the subject being taught: Adequate understanding of the discipline helps a teacher to do justice to the subject being taught.

Example: A teacher who teaches History must understand what the discipline of Social Sciences comprises of. Against the background of a thorough knowledge of Social Sciences, the teacher can deal with History in an elaborate manner.

Promotes appreciation of other subjects: An understanding of one’s discipline promotes appreciation of other subjects within the discipline. External correlation between subjects is an integral part of the teaching-learning process.

Example: A teacher teaching Physics is able to appreciate the contribution of other subjects like Chemistry and Life Sciences if there is clarity about Science as a discipline.

For meaningful lesson planning:  Learning experiences can be planned more meaningfully if one is aware of different disciplines.

Example: while teaching Economics; a teacher can take the help of subjects like Statistics, Mathematics and Commerce to facilitate the teaching learning process.

Development of teacher self-confidence: Understanding and being able to apply discipline knowledge builds self- confidence, and self-confidence is central in the development of an effective teacher. Discipline knowledge is a crucial prerequisite in the development of teacher self-confidence

To offer advice to the students regarding the choice of subjects, the teachers need to have an in depth understanding of disciplines.

Example: A career in Finance will need subjects from the Business Studies group , at the same time knowledge of Computers in Accounting Systems will also be useful. Thus a good understanding of what is included under each discipline will be advantageous while offering career guidance.

For Research enrichment: A researcher with good knowledge of different disciplines can look at enriching the research by blending it with inputs from other disciplines.

Example:  A research on ‘Impact of Globalization on Education’ will draw from varied subjects such as Education, Political Science and Economics.

To understand the world around us: A good understanding of disciplines and subjects is useful to understand the world around us.

Example:  A person with good knowledge of finance, world affairs and political conditions within one’s nation will be able to make wise decisions about how to invest. Knowledge of Statistics, Economics and Business Studies will help to understand how the share market or banks function. A person with good knowledge of Psychology can handle problems with level-headedness. Thus the application of what one learns in various subjects can influence the quality of life.

Need and importance of studying school subjects

·         To develop basic skills like reading ,writing and arithmetic [ 3R’s]

·         To enhance students’ understanding of themselves, their society, their nation, the human world and the physical environment.

·         To enable students to develop multiple perspectives on contemporary issues in different contexts (e.g., cultural, social, economic, political, and technological contexts).

·         To help students become independent thinkers so that they can construct knowledge appropriate to changing personal and social circumstances.

·         To develop skills for life-long learning, including critical thinking skills, creativity, problem-solving skills, communication skills, and information technology skills.

·          To help students appreciate and respect diversity in cultures and views in a pluralistic society and handle conflicting values.

·         To help students develop positive values and attitude towards life, so that they can become responsible citizens of society, the country and the world.

 

Need and importance of studying Tamil language

A language of Tamil Nadu and is the oldest language in the world which is still used by its native speakers in their day to day life. It was announced as Classical Language (Semmozhi) by the government of India. The following are the importance of studying Tamil language.

·         Official language in countries like Singapore and Srilanka.

·         National language of Srilanka. 

·         One of the medium of instructions in Malaysia.

·         Canada officially declared January as "Tamil Heritage month".

·         Thamizh Thai Vazhthu (Song in praise of "Mother Tamil") is being sung along with prayer song before starting any event in educational institutes or any public gathering Tamil nadu.

·         "Thirukural" one of the ancient literary work in Tamil, is considered as a holy book common to every religion.

·         Apart form this "Mahakavi" Barathiyaar who is proficient in English, Sanskrit, Hindi & Bengali praised Tamil as follows:
      "யாமறிந்த மொழிகளிலே தமிழ் மொழிபோல்

         இனிதாவது எங்கும் காணோம்"

"Yamarintha mozhigalile tamizh mozhi pol inithavathu engum kaanom"

 

Need and importance of studying English language

In today’s global world, the importance of English cannot be denied and ignored since English is the most common language spoken everywhere. With the help of developing technology, English has been playing a major role in many sectors including medicine, engineering, and education, which, in my opinion, is the most important arena where English is needed.

·         English has been described as “the language of opportunity”

·         English is one of the most widely spoken languages

·         English will open up more opportunities for you

·         English will make you more desirable to employers in

ü Business meetings 

ü Customer service and sales 

ü Marketing and communications

·         English gives you access to some of the world’s best universities

·         English is the language of some of the world’s greatest literature

·         English allows you to attend international conferences and events

·         English has a simple alphabet and everyone’s equal

·         English gives you wider access to knowledge

Need and importance of studying Mathematics:

·         Mathematics provides an effective way of building mental discipline and encourages logical reasoning and mental rigor.

·         Mathematical knowledge plays a crucial role in understanding the contents of other school subjects such as science, social studies, and even music and art.

·         Mathematics helps in analytical thinking. While solving maths problems, data are collected, disassembled, and then interconnected to solve them. 

• Moreover, Mathematics is considered the language of science. 
• Maths can be applied in each aspect of life. That is why it is regarded as an essential subject.

·         Math makes you a better cook

•  It helps to make the child smarter.

·         Math is also helpful with your finance. With the help of math, you can easily make your financial budget.

·         Mathematics offers a great career opportunity for students.

 

Need and importance of studying Science:

Science is just as important as learning other subjects like mathematics and history. Because the subject is so vast, learning the basics right from your early learning days will enable you to decide whether you want to pursue a higher education in the subject. Here we discuss some important aspects in our lives that are covered by this subject. 

·         Develops problem-solving skills 

·         Awareness about technology 

·         How to conserve natural resources 

·         Instills survival skills 

Need and importance of studying Social Science

For very young students, social studies are often based around being a good member of the community at the local level and also for

·         Good Citizen

·         Civic Sense

·         Understand Society

·         Understand Change

·         Provides Sense of Identity

·         Preserves Stories

·         Teach Us Warning Signs

·         Help Us Be Better People

 

 

                                                             Curriculum Content

Meaning of Curriculum: Curriculum is ‘All the learning which is planned and guided by the school, whether it is carried on in groups or individually, inside or outside the school’.

Elements of Curriculum: The Elements of Curriculum are as follows:

·         Aims and objectives

·         Content

·         Teaching Strategie

·         Evaluation

Definition of Content:  Content is defined as “Information to be learned in school, another term for knowledge (a collection of facts, concepts, generalization, principles, theories)”

Content comes in any form (audio, text and video) and it informs, entertains, enlightens or teaches people who consume it.

Subject-cantered view of curriculum: The fund of human knowledge represents the repository of accumulated discoveries and inventions of man down the centuries, due to man’s exploration of the world.

Learner-cantered view of curriculum:  Relates knowledge to the individual’s personal and social world and how he or she defines reality.

Criteria for Content Selection

·          Self-sufficiency – According to Scheffler (1970) the prime guiding principle for the content selection is helping the learners to attain maximum self sufficiency in learning but in the most economical manner.

·         Economy - Economy means less teaching effort and educational resources, less learner’s effort but more results and effective learning outcomes.

·         To achieve the overall aim - It will develop learning abilities, skills, processes and attitude, to achieve the overall aim of the curriculum.

Importance of Curriculum Content

·         Development: It will develop the cognitive, effective and psychomotor skills of the learners Significance

·         Variety: learning experiences  cater to the needs of different types of learners by providing different types of experiences;

·         Relevance to life: Gained  learning experience  related to the learner’s real life situations in and out of school;

·         Suitability: learning experiences were suitable to the learners present state of learning

·         Validity:  it relates to the authenticity of the content selected.

·         Interest- the content is deveop the personality and intellectual capabilities of the students and made interesting to learners

·         Utility – it is concerned with the usefulness of the content. Learnability- this criteria emphasizes on the optimal placement and appropriate organization and sequencing of the content.

·         Feasibility – it analyze and examine the content in the light of the time and resources available to the students, costs involved, socio-political climate etc.

John Dewey’s ideas on disciplinary knowledge and curriculum

Following were the John Dewey’s ideas on disciplinary knowledge and curriculum:

Aim of disciplinary knowledge and curriculum: “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. Education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.”  Thus, Dewey makes a strong case for the importance of education not only as a place to gain content knowledge but also as a place to learn how to live.

Purpose of education: The purpose of education is to use the ability and skills of the students for the society.  In addition to helping students realize their full potential Dewey goes on to acknowledge that education and schooling are instrumental in creating social change.

Experiential education: Dewey focused his concept of “instrumentalism” in education on “learning by doing or hands-on learning”, which means to learn not only by the theory, but also by the practice. “Instrumentalism” is a theory of knowledge created by Dewey in which ideas are seen to exist primarily as instruments for the solution of problems encountered in the environment.

Role of the school: Dewey stressed the importance of education in school not only as a place to gain content knowledge, but also as a place to learn how to live. The purpose of education should be the realization of everybody’s full potential and the ability to use any skills for the greater good.

The educational process’ role: Dewey advocated for an educational structure that makes a balance between the child and the curriculum, that is to say, delivering knowledge while also taking into account the interests and experiences of the student.

The teacher’s role: The teacher’s role should be that of facilitator and guide since the teacher becomes a partner in the learning process who leads students to independently discover meaning within the subject area.

The Dewey’s Teaching Method: Dewey argues that the principal weakness in this methodology is the inactivity of the student. Within this particular frame work, the child is simply the immature being who is to be matured. Learner- centered. He argues that in order for education to be most effective.

Curricular Activities: Curricular Activities must be presented in a way that allows the student to relate the information to prior experiences this deepening the connection with this new knowledge.

Activity method: He supported Learning by doing, integration method teacher with real experiences Experimental method Discipline, education.

Teach with real experiences, philosopher, friend and dictator, used effective methods of teaching .knowledge about subject, follow psychological aspects of the learners, accounting to the metal level of the learners, Have knowledge of national as well as international level Evaluation, Child centered and Democratic education.

Conclusions: Dewey considered schools and civil society as two fundamental elements and major topics that need attention and reconstruction to encourage experimental intelligence and plurality in order to improve our life and environment.

Dewey strongly believed that students must be active learning perceivers and critical thinkers rather than passive believers and receivers of information.

Dewey’s theories have been a great influence on 20th-century thought. His writings on educational theory and practice have been widely read and accepted because he showed that the disciplines of philosophy, pedagogy, and psychology should be understood as closely interrelated. For that reason, Dewey's ideas have remained at the center of much educational philosophy in the United States and in many countries around the world.

Relationship between school subjects and academic discipline

Academic disciplines comprise of subjects. The specific characteristics of different disciplines make it easy to classify specific subjects (or sub disciplines) to specific disciplines. The broad outline of a discipline gives an idea of what one can expect to learn in a given subject.

A subject is best understood against the background of the discipline that it is classified under. If one understand the basic characteristics of Natural sciences then one can understand its specific subjects like Chemistry and Physics.

Subjects form a discipline. The scope of the discipline widens due to subjects. New subjects or sub disciplines may emerge with changing times. This can bring better understanding of subjects that pre exist in that discipline.

Inter relationships exist between subjects clubbed under one discipline. Hence for better clarity of a subject one may need to refer to other subjects. The other subjects are understood effectively if one has clarity about the parent discipline.

Example:  a researcher in Education will benefit if there is a firm grounding of the disciplines of Humanities and Social Sciences as Education draws from both these disciplines.

Subjects lend matter to a discipline. In turn the discipline fine tunes the subject lending it a distinct flavour. Those who pursue a particular subject should have a good understanding of the discipline of the subject so that the subject is understood comprehensively. Academic disciplines and subjects are like ground and figure. One without the other is meaningless.

1.                  School subjects and academic disciplines are essentially continuous.

2.                  School subjects and academic disciplines are basically discontinuous.

3.                  School subjects and academic disciplines are different but related.

Subjects within disciplines have common features. Understanding of the subject helps to understand disciplines better