Heuristic Method

 Heuristic Method

The word 'heuristic' is derived from a greek word ' Euriskein' meaning discovery. This method was developed by professor Henry Edward Armstrong. Heuristic method is a pure discovery method of learning science. Basic idea of this method is that the student is put in the place of an independent discoverer. Student should discover everything he learns about  from his own observations and experiments.

This method makes the learner an independent enquirer and discoverer of the knowledge instead of passive listener. Teacher should provide activities in which the students work independently. Here the child is the position of an original discover. Heuristic method helps students to get training in scientific method.

The spirit of enquiry prompts the pupils to learn. This method insists on truth, whose foundation is based on reason and personal experiences. There is no spoon-feeding or more acceptances of facts which are given by the teacher.

Objective of the heuristic method:  “to make pupils more exact, more truthful, observant and thoughtful to lay  solid foundation for future self-education and to encourage this growth of spirit of enquiry and research.”

Definition: Prof. Armstrong, “Heuristic methods of teaching are methods which involve placing students as far as possible in the position of discoverers,—methods which involve their finding out instead of being merely told about things.”

Procedure: A problem is assigned to the the class by the teacher and students are provoked to solve it independently. A problem sheet or instruction sheet with minimum instructions is given to the students. Each student tries to acquire information about the problem from different sources. The student is free to move around and discuss the problem with his classmates. He can get guidance from the teacher by asking questions. Students are expected to take observations or conduct experiments following the instructions given in the instruction or problem sheet. Observations are recorded in their notebooks along with the conclusions. As many questions as possible should be allowed to arise from the students on observation and teacher should also put questions which will stimulate the student to know more about the problem. In this way students are lead to the conclusion from their own observations and experiments. Heuristic method is basically a training in scientific method. Knowledge is only a secondary consideration.

This method can be used in all subjects where inductive deductive approach has to. be followed.

Merits:

1. Develops observation power and independent thinking.

2. Students become self reliant, self confident and develops social responsibility.

3. Gives training in scientific method and develops scientific attitude.

4. Gives importance to individual differences as each student can work at his own pace.

5. Based on the principle of learning by doing.

6. Provides better clarity and retention of knowledge.

7. Teacher act as a guide and friend, so there is better teacher - pupil relationship.

8. No need of doing extra work by the students so the load of homework is reduced.

9. The students learn the art of planning their programmes.

10. It makes learning more effective and permanent.

11. provides enough training to the students to prepare themselves for life. The students learn how to handle different situations and how to arrive at certain conclusions.

De Merits:

1. Suitable only for higher classes.

2. Time consuming and expensive method.

3. Knowledge is given secondary consideration.

4. This method demands too much from the students. All students cannot cope with this kind of learning.

5. It can be used only with a gifted teacher and a small class. Both these requirements difficult to achieve.

6. A very slow method and it is not possible to finish the syllabi in time.

7. This method is not suitable for primary -classes.

8.  This method cannot be used at all occasions.

9. Wrong generalisations may be arrived at and thus a lot of time and energy may be wasted.

Role of Teacher: Much is demanded of the teacher in the heuristic method of teaching. He should be a great reader of books in order to obtain varied information. The teacher should posses much curiosity, observation, interest and spirit of scientific investigation, because these are the qualities he wishes to develop in pupils. The teacher should realize the responsibility of fostering in his pupils good habits of reading and collecting various information from books.

In the heuristic method, the teacher is a guide and also a working partner. As a friend of pupils, this teacher should proceed on the way to discover facts. He is to see that this class room is pervaded by an atmosphere of freedom and that the work provided to the children encourages self-development, spontaneity and self-expression.

Principles:

1. Principle of activity or learning by doing.

2. Principle of experience.

3. Principle of freedom.

4. Principle of play-way.

5. Principle of purpose.