Realism in Education

Most people opt for continued education to further their knowledge base and even their employability.

Continuing Education vs. Traditional

Here is how continuing education benefits the working force:

The demand for continuing education has thus increased twofold.

Distance learning through interactive media will form a major part of continuing education.

The Importance of Continuing Education

Experiences are influenced by the external world which has real existence.” (Dr. Pandey Ram Shakal : An Introduction to Major philosophies of Education, pp. 149-50 ).

The realistic movement in education started from the 16th century.

“Education is that which makes a man happy by getting acquaintance with real circumstances of life, create capacity for struggling with adverse situation in life. Realistic education is connected with the needs of life. “; ( Dr. Chaube, S.P. and Akilesh : philosophical and Sociological; Foundation of Education , P. 171 ).

1); External world is a solid Reality, whether known or unknown to man.

( Taneja, V.R. : Socio-philosophical Approach to Education, p. 241 ).

ii) Realists believe in the present life.

The developing realism has adopted four points in education :

i); Humanistic Realism,

ii) Social Realism,

iii) Sense Realism, and

iv) Neo-Realism.

i) Humanistic Realism in education

ii) Social Realism in education

Social Realism in education is the reaction against a type of education that produces scholars and professional men to the neglect of the man of affairs i.e. practice. Education should not produce men who are unfit in social life. The purpose of education, according to social realists, is to prepare the practical man of the world.

iii) The sense Realism in education

The sense realism in education emphasizes the training of the senses.

iv) Neo-Realism in education

Neo-Realism is really a philosophical thought.

REALISM AND AIMS OF EDUCATION :

“Realists do not believe in general and common aims of education. (Seetharamu, A.S. : philosophies of Education, p.74). The aim of education should be to teach truth rather than beauty, to understand the present practical life.

The purpose of education, according to social realists, is to prepare the practical man of the world.

The science realists expressed that the education should be conducted on universal basis. Greater stress should be laid upon the observation of nature and the education of science.

REALISM AND CURRICULA :

Milton, one of the supporters of humanistic realism, has drafted a curricula of education as follows :

It combined literary elements with ideals of chivalric education.

Sense-realism attached more importance to the study of natural sciences and contemporary social life.

REALISM AND METHODS OF TEACHING :

Education should proceed from simple to complex and from concrete to abstract.
Vernacular to be the medium of instruction.

Individual’s experience and spirit of inquiry is more important than authority.
No unintelligent cramming.
Methods of scientific thinking formulated by sir Thomas Bacon.

( Inductive method of education ).

REALISM AND THE TEACHER :

( To master one’s own environing life natural, social through a knowledge of the broader life of the ancients.)

Re-capitulation is necessary to make the knowledge permanent.
One subject; should be taught at one time.
No pressure or coercion be brought upon the child.
The entire knowledge should be gained after experience.
The knowledge should be imparted on the basis of organs.
Straight forward method should be adopted for teaching.

10.; There should be a co-relation between utility in daily life and education.

14.; Various organs of education should be taught in chronological order.

REALISM AND THE CHILD :

1); “Realism in education recognizes the importance of the child.

REALISM AND SCHOOL ORGANIZATION :

3) Realism doesn’t oppose co-education.

REALISM AND DISCIPLINE :

Realism has vehemently opposed withdrawal from life. Realism in education dragged the education from the old traditions, idealism and the high and low tides to the real surface.

DARK SIDE OF REALISM :

1); ” Realism recognizes the real existence of the material world. Objectivity in knowledge is nothing but the partnership of personal knowledge. Knowledge is always subjective.” 1

How does knowledge become fallacious ? Is emotionless life not almost dead life ?; Can life be lead on the basis of facts only ? ” 1

” Realism enthuses disappointment in students and teachers.

Today attention is being paid towards technical and vocational education in all corners of the world. Everywhere there is an arrangement of higher education of Medicine and Law.; Increasing interest towards empirical education is the application of the realistic attitude.

There are two main contributions of the education based upon the realism. Firstly, it tried to remove the gulf-between the life and education.; Secondly, it propounded the principle of experimentation and observation in education. The wordy education and bookish knowledge are not sufficient.