VALUES OF TEACHING BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

 

VALUES OF TEACHING BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Science has been given due place in our school education programmed by being made as a compulsory subject. More emphasis is now being paid over the scientific and technical education. By doing so, in fact, a right step has been taken to push our country forward and to enable us to compete with other progressive nations. It has necessitated to lay due emphases on the teaching of science right from the primary stage. Realizing such need, Kothari Commission has very rightly remarked in their recommendations as follows: “Science and Mathematics should be taught on a compulsory basis to all pupils as a part of general education during the first ten years of schooling”.

§  Utilitarian value of day-to-day use.

Modern age is science age. We see a network of scientific gadgets based on latest scientific inventions all around us. Science has revolutionised our way of living. Now our lives depend on scientifically invented gadgets so much that we cannot do without them. It is now imperative for everyone not only to understand science but to master it from all angles. According to Herbart Spencer, “The knowledge gained through science is much more useful in guiding our life style than gained through other sources”.

§  Intellectual value

The study of science provides us the opportunity of developing our mental faculties of reasoning, imagination, memory, observation, concentration, analysis, originality and of systematic thinking. Science gives us the insight which enables us to search the truth and the reality of nature around us. Science does not permit us to accept anything which we cannot prove by actual observation, reasoning and experimentation. The queries of all problems and phenomena can be satisfactorily answered only by the wisdom of science.

§  Disciplinary value

Science develops our personality as a whole. It inculcates spirit of enquiry, seriousness, and systematic thinking. It brings about total transformation of one’s view point and makes thought process more organised. Science makes us think seriously and helps to observe the real nature of the problem. It helps us to judge all the good and bad points, together with the gain and loss likely to be incurred in the plan of action contemplated. Sciene is only the one subject which promotes interest in study, concentration and habit of hard and systematic work. It also inculcates the habit of viewing a problem impartially with an alert mind. This helps to lead one’s daily life successfully in a well organised and systematic way.

§  Cultural value

From time immemorial man has been trying to maintain and preserve their way of life and standard through the use of science. But somehow our way of life has been changing with the passage of time and progress of science. This change in our life-style is due to the inventions of science. The development of culture is the history of science. We can judge the progress of civilisation and culture of a nation by its progress in science. Science not only develops our culture but also helps in preserving it.

§  Moral value

Some people believe that Science is responsible for lack of faith in God, but in reality the situation is reverse. Science does not permit blind faith; it also does not admit faith in idol worship nor follows many useless customs and rituals. The search for truth or reality of nature and search of God are identical aims. Thus, pursuit of knowledge of nature or study of science cannot be called contrary to religion and faithlessness. Science and its pursuit not only include all the traits of morality but also develop them. The qualities of honesty of purpose, truth, justice, punctuality, determination, patience, self-control, self-respect, self-confidence and tolerance are automatically developed in man if he follows scientific method in his pursuit of knowledge.in science every conclusion depends upon tests and actual observations and not by cheat and deceit.

§  Aesthetic value

Science is beauty, art, a source of entertainment and a successful means of attaining physical comforts. Even the study of science is a source of great pleasure, when one gets answers to his questions about the mysteries of nature. Science helps us to utilise our leisure purposefully.

§  Social value

Science is of great value to society. Science makes a man a useful citizen. Science gives impetus to the progress of society by its new thoughts and inventions. From the very beginning of our civilisation science has played an important role in its development. In fact, the world has become a small social group. Today’s society stands on pillars of scientific techniques and knowledge. All our social activities depend upon science. Science is essential for the progress of our society and nation. By studying science, we can make our social life happy and comfortable by leading a healthy life and by gaining from public welfare activities based on science.

§  Vocational value

Science has opened vast vistas of vocations, because scientific principles and inventions have become so universal and pervasive in our daily life. Scientific inventions have now helped widely all the traditional vocations nowadays like – agriculture, poultry farming and dairy farming. Science has also revolutionized modern vocations like – telephone, radio and television broadcasting etc.

§  Psychological value

Study of science fulfils the psychological needs of man and helps in evolution of natural curiosity and other instincts like instinct of collection, ego, and self-expression. The instincts of curiosity are responsible for the urge of investigation, experimentation and research. In this way study of science develops all the latent faculties of a child.

Whether we consider from personal or social point of view, the study of science has its special importance. The joy and bliss are obtained from successful investigation of scientific problems but in addition it also gives children self-confidence and insight for solving any life-problem facing them. In brief, the study of science gives us self-confidence and teaches us to lead a successful and meaningful life.

§  Develops problem-solving skills

With the knowledge of science, you learn to think logically and solve a problem. It is this problem-solving skill, which is learnt in the early years that have enables a person to solve problems. Communications, medicine, transportation, and almost everything you see around you are mainly present because individuals have used their knowledge of science to create real life applications. Knowledge in this subject also enables you to understand many other subjects better.

§  Awareness about technology

Learning the basics of how certain devices work can help you develop ideas of your own and invent new technology. Even the knowledge of how to use telescopes, microscopes, and other devices in a laboratory can help you in examining objects and determining differences between them. Fixing minor problems in electronic objects in your own home is possible when you have the basic knowledge about technology.

§  How to conserve natural resources

All aspects of the environment have a deep impact on our lives. As a student, science helps you to learn about how the earth functions, and how to make use of natural resources. It also teaches you how the lack of these resources affects living things, and how you can conserve these resources.

When you learn about wildlife in science, you will learn about the many species that are already extinct, because of shortage or absence of certain resources and environmental changes. Awareness about such aspects can help you contribute towards preserving wildlife. Science also teaches you to recycle and reuse products and promote a greener environment. This knowledge is very essential to help save our planet for the future.

§  Instils survival skills

Science helps to learn about the various weather conditions, and helps to distinguish between normal weather and dangerous weather. With this knowledge, learner can stay alert about natural disasters or survive the disaster. Because the learner learns about the characteristics of different objects that they use in day-to-day life, learner will be able to distinguish between things that are safe to eat and those that they should not. Almost everything that a person does requires a basic knowledge of science, and logical reasoning that is based on this subject. So, it is undoubtedly important to learn science from the early days of school.