Naturalism: Meaning, theme and Educational Implications

NATURALISM

Topics to discuss in this lecture

  • Naturalism; theme and major proponents
  • Fundamental principles of Naturalism
  • Principles and Aims of Education
  • Shape of Curriculum
  • Methods of teaching
  • Teachers and student role
  • Shape and role of school
  • Discipline in class and school

Major proponents of Naturalism

  • Aristotle
  • John Jacques Rousseau – Novel “Emile”
  • Charles Darwin
  • Montessori
  • Rabindranath Tagore
  • Bacon
  • Bernard Shaw

Naturalism and its Fundamental Principles

 

  • Back to Nature and according to nature
  • Started from the thoughts of Aristotle
  • Nature is everything and nothing is beyond it
  • Nature is eternal
  • It believes in matter and material world
  • Physical and Natural Principles are supreme and Universal
  • There is no ideal or supreme value

 Principles of Education in context of Naturalism

  • Education is based on Psychology
  • Emphasizes on basic instincts
  • Child and his present life are the centers of education
  • Only individual is considered and valued
  • It is progressive and dynamic ideology

Aims of Education

  • Development of individuality
  • Self-expression
  • Perfection of human as a perfect being for survival and existence
  • Preparing the child for a happy life Now and in Future
  • Adaptation to environment
  • Natural Development
  • Autonomous Development 

Shape of Curriculum  

  • Curriculum is constructed according to basic instincts, aptitudes and tendencies of children
  • Important area/ subject are Sports and Games
  • Physical sciences and physiology as well as material and biological
  • mathematics and language
  • History and Social Sciences
  • Curriculum of Agriculture and Vocational skills
  • Moral Education
  • Curriculum should be broad based
  • Should include various Skills and activities
  • Should be related to life

Methods of Teaching

  • Learning by Doing  
  • Methods of direct experiences
  • experimental method
  • Observation / Demonstration method
  • Discovery Methods
  • Play way Method
  • Montessori method
  • Methods involving freedom for the children to learn

Role of Teacher

  • Teacher’s role is Facilitator
  • Stage Preparation and then set aside
  • Observer
  • Guide / Protector

Discipline

  • Slogan of naturalism is freedom
  • Emancipatory discipline based on consequences
  • No Punishment

Shape and role of school

  • According to Naturalism, natures Vast campus is the real school.
  • School should be natural and spontaneous field of free activates.
  • It should be flexible, based on liberal and free atmosphere
  • Democratic
  • Social environment based of principle of liberty, equality and Fraternity
  • Students should be involved in governance

Summary

  • Objects of physical world are considered as reality
  • Gave expansion to new subjects e.g Mathematics, Psychology, Botany, Zoology,

 

 

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