What is Science of Teaching or Pedagogy? -Now question arises, what is the science of teaching? Does our teaching need some sort of science for it’s effective functioning and better output? In this connection, it is true that in our daily life we usually feel the need of the services of science for making the things simpler and more workable for our living, prosperity and existence. As a result we can save our time and energy in accomplishing out task and try to get maximum output with the help of minimum input. Therefore anything referred to as science of teaching is also expected to help a teacher in his task teaching in the same way as science helps in doing a task related to our day to day life and world of work.
What is Science of Teaching or Pedagogy?
Hence by utilizing the services of a functionary named as science of teaching one must be able to teach in a quite effective way-by putting the-least input in terms of the men-material resources. As a conclusion the term science of teaching stands or the ways and means provided to or utilised by a teacher for managing his task of teaching as smoothly and effectively as possible by involving his least efforts for drawing the maximum possible better teaching outcomes.
Meaningful Learning
Before we try to understand the concept of meaningful learning, it will be better here to know once again what learning stands for.
The definition given by R.S. Woodsworth, appears befitting, which runs as “An activity may be called learning in so far it develops the individual in any way good or bad and makes his environment and experiences different from what it would otherwise have been.”
Learning can produce both good and bad developments in the learner. But the learner, his guardians, his teachers and the society in general want the process of learning to lead to good results and healthy outcomes. That learning is to be avoided, curbed or replaced which is likely to prove harmful in any way. Not only informal learning, but even formal learning can be injurious to the learner and his well wishers in some way. Child comes to school for better, experiences, where the situations should not be worse for him. Every activity of the process of learning should be governed by certain aims and objectives. There cannot be any thing of wasteful, useless, aimless or meaningless nature.
Meaningful learning is therefore that learning which is oriented towards good experiences and outcomes. In it there is no place for meaningless and harmful experiences. It must ensure positive results. It is consructive, productive, purposeful and progressive in nature.
Meaningful learning-in mathematics can consist of the mathematical experiences of the following type;
1. Which are helpful’ in mental, emotional and social development.
2. Which have utilitarian, practical and behavioral values.
3. Which are useful in learning higher and advanced aspects of the subject.
4. Which are helpful in the proper learning of other subjects and activities of the curriculum.
5. Which stimulate and maintain interest in the subject.
6. Which lead to the development of proper attitude towards the subject.
Meaningful Learning in Mathematics – What is Science of Teaching or Pedagogy?
Meaningful Learning in Mathematics
In the above sense, the learning in the subject mathematics may be termed meaningful if it serves in the following ways:
1. Helps in the development of mental and intellectual powers.
2. Helps in the learning of other subjects.
3. Helps in building base for the future learning in mathematics.
4. Helps in solving problems related to life activities,
5. Helps in earning livelihood or prepares for useful and productive vocation.
6. Helps in developing positive attitude towards the subject mathematics.
7. Helps in inculcating interest or motivates the students for self-learning and independent research in mathematics.
What is Science of Teaching or Pedagogy?