INTERDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF EDUCATION

INTERDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF EDUCATION

Philosophy and Education

Human life cannot properly be understood without philosophy. Life and education are inseparably connected. One cannot be separated from the other. Hence, life has a philosophical base and so education also has a philosophical base. Philosophy furnishes the goals of life and education gives the means to achieve those goals. Man is the common subject of both philosophy and education. Philosophy and education are interrelated, interdependent, identical and inseparable from each other. Every philosopher has an educational outlook and every educator has a philosophy of life.

The truths and principle established by philosophy are applied in the conduct of education process.

Philosophy exercises tremendous influence on education in all its aspects—aims, curriculum, methods, teachers, textbooks, administration, discipline, evaluation etc.

There is no aspect of education, which is not influenced and determined by philosophy. Philosophy affects both the theoretical and practical aspects of education. One cannot be separated from the other.

Sociology and Education

 Education takes place in society constituted of individuals. It is a social process. It has a social function as well as social relevance. A school is created by the society and the society is shaped and moulded by the school. Thus, education is both a cause and product of society. It originates in the society and it must fulfill the needs and aspirations of the society. There is thus an intimate relationship between education and society.

 Education helps to solve the multifarious social problems. Education is not a static phenomenon but a dynamic and ever-changing process. Every society with its own changing socio-cultural needs will require education to meet those needs. Since needs change continuously therefore education must also change. The needs of different societies differ; therefore, education should be dynamic.

Educational sociology analyses and evaluates the groups and institutions in which learning takes place and the social process involved in learning and teaching. It analyses and evaluates the social trends and ideologies, which affect education. It helps us to understand that education is a means of social change.

It throws light on human interaction and relationships within the school and the community. It emphasizes that learning is a social process. It is the total cultural milieu in which and through which the learning experience is acquired and organized. Educational sociology plays a vital role on the modern educational theories and practices. It influences the aims of education, the principles of curriculum construction, the methods of teaching, the school organization and administration.

Psychology and Education

 Psychology has greatly influenced the development of modern education. Basic connections and relationships between psychology and education are manifold. Educational theory and practice are conditioned by the nature of human behaviour. Educational Psychology has developed to study scientifically the behaviour of the students and to help the process of education.

 Educational psychology discusses process of development of the students, process of learning, social adjustment of the students, Individuals differences in physical abilities and mental traits and powers, Interest and motivation of child and various problems associated with the mental health of the students.

 The function of educational psychology is to know the child and his educational process completely. It tries to determine the means of attaining the educational goals and objectives outlined by educational philosophy. It helps the teacher, the students as well as the parents.

The primary aim of education is the total development of the child. Modern education is child-centric, that is why psychology studies the nature and behaviour of the child in different developmental stages. Child centered education is the direct effect of psychology on education. All the principles of modern school organization and administration have directly been influenced by psychology. For example, timetable is framed on the basis of fatigue index of the students.

History and Education

The history of education helps in knowing the early educational thoughts and in solving different educational problems. The main task of history of education is to trace the development of education to try to evaluate the functions it has fulfilled at different stages of social development and so to reach a deeper understanding of the function it fulfills today. Under this branch, educational organizations of pre-historic, ancient and modern periods and relation of culture and education, pioneers of education and educational thoughts of various educationists are studied.

The history of education may suggest causal explanations for changes that punctuate the political and social timelines of educational development. It helps us to understand the evolution of the educational system and structures to date. There are key dates and events within the development of the education system that reflect the significant political and social issues of the time. While the scope of education has changed radically since the late nineteenth century, the pastoral, disciplinary and knowledge distribution functions of schools and other education establishments remain significant in modern western societies.

Environmental Education

 The main objective of the study of Environmental education is to enable the student teacher understand about the concept of environmental education. It also develops in the student teacher a sense of awareness about the environmental pollution, and possible hazards and its causes and remedies. It creates a sense of responsibility towards conservation of environment, bio-diversity and sustainable development. It develops reasonable understanding about the role of school and education in fostering the idea of learning to live in harmony with nature. Its study enables the students to understand about the various measures available to conserve the environment for sustaining the development.

Adult Education

Adult learning, or adult education, is the practice of training and developing skills in adults. It takes on many forms, ranging from formal class-based learning to self- directed learning and e-learning. Adult Education aims at extending educational options to those adults, who have lost the opportunity and have crossed the age of formal education, but now feel a need for learning of any type, including, basic education (literacy), skill development (Vocational Education) and equivalency.

Economics of Education

Economics of education is the study of economic issues relating to education, including the demand for education and the financing and provision of education. From early works on the relationship between schooling and labour market outcomes for individuals, the field of the economics of education has grown rapidly to cover virtually all areas with linkages to education.