Heuristic methods, Method of Teaching Sciences.

1. Heuristic Method
Mr. Bheem Pad Mahato
Assistant Professor
Fculty of Education
ICFAI University Tripura

2. Heuristic Method
Heurisco
(Greek)
I
Find
I
Discover

3. Need to create effective learning
situation
• The classroom atmosphere should facilitate
free exploration.
• Learners must feel safe and accepted.
• Risk and rewords for seeking new
knowledge.
• Opportunities to new information and
experiences.
• Pace for learning.

4. - Henry Edward Armstrong

5. Definition
• “Heuristic method is a method of
teaching which involves our placing
the students as far as possible in the
attitude of a discoverer”.
- Henry Edward Armstrong

6. “This method as the name implies is a
method by which the pupil discovers
things for himself. The pupil is put in the
position of a pioneer and he finds his way
along the path of knowledge as did those
who first discovered the facts, principles
and laws which are now known to all”.
- W M Ryburn,
Definition

7. ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS OF HEURISTIC
LEARNING
• It provides the Student freedom of
action.
• It provides an environment, which is
responsive.
• It encourages the student to learn.
• It provides teacher’s guidance whenever
required

8. Where we can apply -
• There is an encouragement for the
process of searching
• There is respect for creative thinking
• The new ideas are welcomed
• Mistakes could be done and at the
same time they can be corrected.

9. Objectives of Heuristic Methods
• To develop among students the ability of self-
learning.
• To develop among students the ability of critical
thinking.
• To develop among students the attitude of logical
thinking.
• To develop among students the attitude of
accepting truth only after verification.
• To develop among students the attitude of not
accepting things based on blind faith.
• To develop among students the scientific thinking.

10. PRINCIPLES OF THE HEURISTIC
METHOD
• Principle of freedom
• Principle of experience
• Principle of activity or learning by doing
• Principle of purposefulness
• Principle of logical thinking
• Principle of play-way
• Principle of individual work.

11. Problem Solving Strategy
• Understanding and representing the
problem
• Selecting or planning the solution
• Executing the plan
• Evaluating the results

12. Role of a Teacher
• Searching the suitable problem. The teacher keeps in mind
the age, abilities and interests of the students, along with the
resources available.
• The teacher should be studious who can give relevant
references as and when required by the students.
• The teacher should prepare a detailed instruction sheet to
the students.
• The teacher should possess the attitude of a discoverer, until
he or she does possess such attitude, the students never get
inspired to become a discoverer themselves.
• The teacher should have the knack of asking questions and
also encourage the students to ask questions. Questioning is
a very important aspect of heuristic method as it helps in
determining the level of understanding in the students.

13. Role of a Teacher
• The teacher should inculcate the skills of self-expression,
self-development, self-confidence and self-help in the
students.
• The teacher plays the role of a guide to the students, and
provides the students sufficient information regarding the
problem taken up and helps them in carrying it out.
• The teacher plays a significant role in developing scientific
attitudes and values; and at the same time allows the
freedom of work.
• The teacher may organize field trips, visits to museums
and exhibitions to supplement the knowledge of the
students.

14. Role of a Teacher
• The teacher plays an important role in drawing
conclusions from the observations and
experimentations.
• She will help the students in arriving at the
generalizations and relating to the body of the
knowledge.
• The teacher should be ready to accept any
solution coming from the student’s side on the
problem. This will develop the true spirit of
problem solving among the students.
• The teacher should be sympathetic and
courteous towards the students.

15. Advantages
• The method lays emphasis on individual
practical work. Thus it makes the child self-
reliant.
• Inculcates the scientific temperament by
developing scientific attitudes and scientific
methodology.
• The methods help in developing self learning
and self direction.
• The students develop the habit of enquiry and
investigation.

16. Advantages
• The students also develop the power of diligence.
• The method is based on the important principle
of “learning by doing”.
• As the results obtained are from the direct
experiences of the students, the knowledge
acquired by them will be retained for a longer
period of time.
• Develops the research skills, critical thinking and
logical reasoning in the students.

17. Disadvantages
• This method is time consuming and therefore the
syllabus will not be completed in the prescribed time
period.
• This method is suitable when the teacher is
enthusiastic and gifted. It is too technical and
scientific for an average teacher.
• The method demands hard work, great efficiency,
training in scientific methods etc., from the teacher.
• Sufficient skills and training are required for the
gradation of the problems.
• The method could be applied only to small classes
with less number of students.

18. Thanks