2. Eclectic Tendency in Education
• Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold to
a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws
upon multiple styles, or gain ideas to gain complementary
insights into a subject, or applies different theories in
particular cases.
• An eclectic approach in education is one that seeks to
combine the best elements of different schools of
philosophy. The fusion or synthesis of diverse philosophies
to answer educational enigmas is known as eclectic
tendency in education.
3. Meaning of eclecticism
• Eclecticism has been derived from the word “elect”. To elect
means to choose and pick up.
• The good ideas, concept and principles from various schools of
thought have been chosen, picked up and blended together to
make a complete philosophy. Thus eclecticism is a philosophy of
choice. Eclecticism is nothing but fusion of knowledge from all
sources
• Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to
a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws upon
multiple theories, styles, or ideas to gain complementary insights
into a subject, or applies different theories in particular cases.
4. Need for eclectic tendency in education
• The aim of modern education is the balanced, integrated and
coordinated development of the whole child. Education
should prepare the individual to face the challenges of life
and contribute constructively to human race. To achieve this,
the educational system should receive inspiration from the
cumulative experiences of whole race and make a synthesis
between the merits in all the ideologies.
• An eclectic tendency in needed in any worthwhile system of
education because of the following reasons:
5. • 1. No philosophy is complete in itself: No single philosophy can
invariably be applied to all the educational situations. This necessitates
borrowing good elements of other philosophies to solve educational
problems.
• 2. It is not safe to stick to one ideology: The world is fast changing.
Educational values change with changing world. So any good
educational system should be dynamic and flexible in its outlook.
• 3. Quest for harmonizing various educational philosophies: Since the
main concern of all educational ideologies is the educand, it has become
imperative to make an agreement among different philosophies to reach
the goal safely.
• 4. Eclecticism ensures social cohesion: The synthesis and fusion of
diverse thoughts and practices for attaining a greater degree of social
consistency and unity in any field. This is more so in educational system.
6. • 5 Eclecticism is imperative: Humanity is advancing fast ahead.
This advancement is possible by the permissiveness of those
disciplines which often infringe their borders and make
consensus with other disciplines.
•
6. Democracy in education demand eclecticism: A mixing of
prevailing ideologies is essential for meetings the educational
needs and realizing the life dreams of all segments of people in a
democratic society. Thus, a philosophical system, to be practical
and functional, has to pull down the barricades that separate
them from one another and find an operational agreement with
regard to different aspects.
7. Advantages of eclectic approach
• This approach is broad and may include every kind of learning
activity and saves learner from monotony.
• It is more appropriate for Pre School learning but not less
beneficial in the class rooms.
• It is helpful in all kinds of skills in stimulating a creative
environment and gives confidence to the learners.
• In this approach children discovers and instill good ways of
learning.
• This approach gives a chance to our common sense to mould
and shape our method according to the circumstances and
available materials of teaching aids.
8. Drawbacks of eclectic approach
• There may be gaps in learning, if you are frequently
switching curriculum. This approach can lack disciplined
learning and allow for laziness. Without grabbing to one
approach, curriculum choices and overall directions can be
confusing and overwhelming.