SOC602 Handouts

Lesson01 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION-I TOPIC-001-004

Topic001-002 Concept of Education

The meaning of the word ‘education’ has been contested. Word ‘education’ has its origin in Latin words:

Educare - to bring up, to rise up, to train. Educere – lead out, draw out. E & Duco – E = out of, Duco = to draw out.

A combination of ‘Educatum’ and ‘Educere’ is what is known as “Education” It is the process of the educator helping the child explore and develop his or her latent faculties. According to Oxford dictionary. “The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university”. Education is a lifelong process, beginning with birth and ending with death. Yet the meaning of the word ‘education’ has been contested. ‘Educate’ is defined as, to develop the knowledge, skill, or character of students.

Durkheim conceived education as the socialization of the younger generation. A continuous effort to impose on the child ways of seeing, feeling, and acting which he could not have arrived at spontaneously. Durkheim concerned about the role of education in the preparation of children for their roles in adult society. Formal education is primarily designed to inculcate crucial skills and values central to the survival of the society or to those who hold effective power. Being a lifelong process, education is a holistic grooming of individual. Heredity, environment, family, teacher, personal experiences, and many other factors contribute to this process. Education can be formal as well as informal.

Formal Education is a particular institution is entrusted with this responsibility. Goal could be holistic grooming, but certainly some curricula are laid down. Education becomes more of an “instruction.” Predetermined doses of knowledge are forced. Teacher has an important role in this formal process. Informal education: No specific time/ place, no educator, no syllabi, no rules, no formalities.

2Understanding of the concept has changed. Look at different aspects of education:

1. Meaning

Old concepts of Education as a process to thrust readymade knowledge into the mind of a child as if it was an empty vessel. Modern concept of education to develop the inherent capacities of a child in the social environment. Needing proper guidance for wholesome growth.

2. Aims

Old aims of education emphasized scholarship and mental development. Modern aims of education focus on physical, mental, emotional and social

Develop individuality to the full and attain social efficiency and dynamism.

3. Curriculum

Old curriculum emphasized on only subjects promoting mental development included/emphasized. Rigid, confined to classroom. Modern curriculum is flexible, varied and progressive. Tries to meet the needs of the developing child as well as the demands of ever-changing modern society.

4. Method of Teaching

Old method of teaching is emphasized cramming and stimulated rote memorization. Education was a lifeless, dull and drab process. Modern method of teaching emphasizes no rote memorization. Adopt methods like Play way, learning by doing, Learning by experience.

5. Discipline

Old concept of discipline emphasized the use of rod and punishments to enforce obedience and discipline in children. Enforced discipline through repression. Modern concept of discipline focuses on self-discipline leading to natural obedience.

6. Examination

Old concepts of education were based on essay type examination, encouraged cramming and rote memorization. Modern examination evaluates as well as examine. Includes objective tests, progress reports, cumulative records, interviews and practical performances.

7. Agencies of Education

Old agency of education: school. Modern agency of education includes all formal and informal agencies.

8. Teacher

Old concept of teacher was considered at the top of the educational process. Modern concept of teacher is considered as a friend, philosopher and guide.

9. Child

Old concept of child mere passive recipient of whatever the teacher instructed. Modern concept is child centered. Educational process is to cater to his needs and develop him according to his nature. Interaction with the teacher and classmates. promoting his own and that of society’s development.

10. School

Old concept of school served as a shop for selling knowledge. Everything was preplanned in advance. It was concerned with the input and bothered little about output. Modern concept of school is a miniature of society laying emphasis more on output in comparison with input.

Topic003-004 Forms of Education

The most common classification is formal and informal. Non-formal is further added. Other classifications are based on some specific approaches to education. Most of them resemble each other. Different educationists, having their individual standpoint, have made classification. Theses classifications reflects vast field of education.

1. General Education

Minimal education required by one to satisfy its various needs. Aim of the general education is developing the general qualities of the child (personality). It makes child capable of adjusting to its environment. Usually it is related to the Elementary Education. We should made General education compulsory and free.

2. Specific education

Specfic education trains the child to pursue some specific profession. Vocational guidance provided. Streaming. Education that is suitable to one’s abilities. The scope of specfic education is narrow. Specialists come out of specialized institutions. It spread over a long period. It is expensive but plays important role in the development of country.

3. Formal education

Formal education is provided in educational institutions with specified pattern. It is institutionalized succession of institutions. Specified education provided to large number of children. It starts at specified age. The degree programs determine the duration.

4. Non-formal Education

Non-formal education can be defined as the educational activity organized outside the formal system of education. It may take place both within and outside educational S. No Aspects of Education Old Concept Modern Concept

Meaning

Aims Knowledge Total Personality. Social Efficiency

Subject Centered Activity Centered, Social Efficiency

Methods Rote Memorization Learning by Doing, Projects

Rigid, Repressionistic Self Descipline

Essay Type Objective Type, Evaluation

Agencies Formal (School) Formal and Informal

Teacher Instructor Friend, Philosopher, Guide

Child Passive Receipiant Active, Dynamic

School Teaching Shops Miniature of Society