HEURISTIC METHOD

     Heuristic Method was propagated by H.E Armstrong, Professor of Chemistry, Imperial College, London. The word ‘Heuristic’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Heurisco’ means ‘to discover’.

Definitions

Armstrong: “Heuristic Method is a method of teaching which involves our placing the students as far as possible in the attitude of a discoverer”

West way: “Heuristic method is intended to provide a training in method, knowledge is a secondary consideration all together”.

Principles of Heuristic Method

    The Heuristic Method is based on the following principles.

1.      Principles of freedom

2.      Principles of activity

3.      Principles of experience

4.      Principles of purposefulness

5.      Principles of logical thinking

6.      Principles of play-way

7.      Principles of individual work

Steps in Heuristic Method

1.      Selection of a problem

2.      Formulating hypothesis

3.      Collection of data

4.      Analyze the data

5.      Draw conclusions

Role of the teacher

• ­ Well prepared and well equipped

• ­ Act as a guide and a friend

• ­ Provide instructions

• ­ Help to develop values

• ­ Keeping psychological principles in mind

• ­ Provide freedom of thought

• ­ Teacher should encourage the students to approach him time to time and ask questions

Merit of Heuristic Method

Ø  Development of scientific attitude

Ø  Active participation and involvement

Ø  Psychologically sound

Ø  Clarity and permanency of the knowledge

Ø  Cultivation of good habits

Ø  Providing individualized instruction

Ø  Good relationship between teacher and taught

Ø  Reduction in the load of home work

Ø  Solves problem of indiscipline

Demerits of Heuristic Method

Ø  Not suitable for the elementary classes

Ø  Expects too much from the students

Ø  Expects too much from the teachers

Ø  Obstacle in the path of the progress

Ø  Difficulty in covering the syllabus

Ø  Possibility of faulty outcomes and conclusions

Ø  Not suitable in the existing circumstance because the number of students in a class is too large

Ø  Expensive

Ø  Non availability of suitable text books

   Conclusion

          This method is not applicable in primary classes but can be practicable in middle and high classes. The success depends upon a teacher who is resourceful, alert, intelligent and expert in the method. In this method there should be no spoon-feeding on the part of the teacher. The pupil should be made to think and work independently.

 

Reference

Mohan Radha, (2007). Innovative Science Teaching. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India

Mangal, S.K.(1990). Teaching of Science. New Delhi: Arya book depot

Sharma, R.C.(2006).Modern Science Teaching. New Delhi: Dhanpat Rai Publishing Ltd.

Soni Anju, (2008).Teaching of Science. Ludhiana: Tandon Publication