Course-5 Understanding Disciplines and School Subjects pmd

1.5.3 Learning Points and Learning Activities
1.5.3.1. Importance of School Subjects in general
Why should students learn the subjects that are taught in schools? This question is
natural for every learner. As teachers it is our prime responsibility to know the need and
importance of teaching my subject. Ask at least 5 teachers, the following questions and
analyse their answers.
Why are you teaching the subject that you are teaching? What do you think are the
advantages of that subject?
I have listened to many answers. ‘Because I have to teach that’, ‘that is prescribed in
the curriculum’, ‘we have to conduct examination’, and many teachers do not think beyond
this. The subjects are the vehicles which are intended to take us to our goal, our goals are
clear, specific, and focused. Each subject in the curriculum has been introduced with a
definite purpose that would serve the individual to lead a ‘quality life’. The purpose of
teaching subjects is beyond finishing portion prescribed or conducting examination and
testing students. We may be able to reach our goals without conducting the regular
examinations also, and this may be realised in the class room itself. Then what are the
purposes of teaching or learning different school subject? Let us understand the advantages
of learning school subjects. They are as follows:
Experts in the field of education have analysed the nature of different subjects and
have found that the learning of a few subjects would help to reach our goals. With this
knowledge they have prescribed the subjects that are meaningful in the context of school to
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reach the goals of education. Let us see, what purposes these school subjects serve in the
educational context.
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The school subjects equip the individual with the skills and competencies
required to lead a quality life
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They promote the basic academic skills required for day to day living like
communication, problem solving analytical thinking etc.
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They give an awareness about the neighbourhood in which the individual lives.
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They prepare students for the process of socialisation
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Learning of these subjects promote the values required to be developed by an
individual in the social context, like love, co-operation, brotherhood, tolerance
etc.
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The knowledge under different subjects make the individual appreciate people
and nature around her/him
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The social behaviour of children is directed through the themes that are dealt
under different subjects.
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The school subjects prepare children to develop nationalism, internationalism
and other patriotic feelings.
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School subjects have connection with social structure, social relations and they
have contributed in the process of cultural transmission too. Now it is being
recognized that school subjects are important sources for studying about the
society and problems in it.
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Studying school subjects are necessary to investigate the link between school
subject knowledge and classroom pedagogy.
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School subjects are now being considered as cultural and historical phenomenon
so it is necessary to study about them.
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One of the important reasons for studying school subjects is that they provide a
clear picture of school knowledge and practices.
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Studying school subjects involves an understanding of the “theory of content”
that is crucial for disclosing the educational potential embodied in the content.
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School subjects are aimed to maintain the academic culture and develop the
intellectual capacity of students.
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School subjects are constructed for the primary purpose of maintaining and
enhancing economic and social productivity by equipping future citizens with
the requisite knowledge, skills, and capital. School subjects are created to
provide students with meaningful learning experiences that might lead to
liberation and cause social activity.
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School subjects are allowed for construction of knowledge and further provide
students with rewarding experiences that contribute to their intellectual growth.
The school curriculum encourages a learner-oriented approach to construct
knowledge under school subject that allows students to learn according to their
needs and interests in their chosen fields of study.
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The school subjects equip the students with general skills and learning abilities,
essential for facing the challenges of globalisation and the knowledge-based
economy.
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studying school subjects stands to offer a wide horizon for students to create
and explore create new corridors leading to enlightenment.
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Studying school subjects helps us to analyses how school subjects are influenced
by the society, culture and values of a nation.