What is the Inductive Method, and which subjects is it suitable for?

The Inductive Method involves leading students from particular instances to general conclusions. It is suitable for teaching Sciences, Mathematics, and Grammar.

What is the Deductive Method, and what are its advantages?

The Deductive Method involves providing students with rules and principles and then asking them to verify them with particular examples. Its advantages include suitability for gifted students, time-saving, and simplified teacher's work.

What is the Project Method, and what are its characteristics?

The Project Method is an experience-centered teaching approach with a focus on socializing children. It involves purposeful, real-life, and problem-centered activities in a natural and social setting.

Teaching Methods: Inductive, Deductive, Projects Download PD

Table of Contents

Teaching methods are the procedure, technique or way of teaching, especially in accordance with a defined plan. Teaching Methods can be inductive, deductive, project and many more. these methods help to teach to communicate with students. Let’s learn all methods for teaching methods so teaching can be more productive.

Teaching Methods

Inductive Method (By Francis Beckon)

Inductive Method: In an inductive method of teaching the pupils are led from particular instances to a general conclusion. Concrete examples are given and with their help, students are helped to arrive at certain conclusions and principles. In this method, the child is led to discover the truth for himself. The inductive method is a very suitable method for the teaching of Sciences, Mathematics and Grammar.

Maxims	Steps	Merits	Demerit
From particular to general From Concrete to extract From examples to rules From Non to unknown	Examples of Activities Observation Generalisation Testing and Verification or Application	This method helps to develop a Scientific attitude among students. Knowledge is self-acquired and it soon transformed into wisdom. The inductive method is a Scientific method and helps to develop scientific mindedness. This method is logical as well as psychological. Learning by doing is the basis of this method. It develops critical thinking and the habit of keen observation.	The inductive method is not good in the case of lengthy conclusions. Moreover, it is said that the pupils might not be able to act at complete generalization. The method is very show and lengthy. It is not possible to apply this method to solving and understanding all the topics of science. It is a lengthy and time-consuming method. The method can be considered complete and perfect if the conclusions are verified through deductive method.”

Deductive Method (By Aristotle)

Deductive Method: The deductive method is the reverse of the inductive method. In this method rules, generalizations and principles are provided to find students and then they are asked to verify them with the help of particular examples: The teacher’s work is much simplified by giving a rule and asking the pupils to verify it by application to several concrete examples.

Maxims	Steps
From general to particular From abstract to concrete From rules to examples.	Rule on Definition Experiment examples Conclusions Testing and Verification or Application.
Merits	Demerits
This method is very suitable for gifted children. Students get ready-made material. The teacher’s work is simplified. He gives general principles and the students verify them. It is a time-saving method since the students will not have to go through the analysis or explanation to find out a universal truth. It is a speedy process and the syllabi can be easily covered.	This method is rather unnatural and unpsychological since the children do not find out the facts or principles themselves. The method doesn’t impart training in Scientific method. This method does not help to develop a scientific attitude. The method fails to develop self-confidence and initiative in the students. This method encourages the memorization of facts, which are soon forgotten.

Project Method (By W.H. Kilpatrick)

This Method was exponent by Kilpatrick in 1918 but based on the views of John Dewey, his professor. The Pragmatists find it very applicable. It is an experience-centred teaching method and evolves social tendencies. The main focus of Kilpatrick was to socialize a child. It is useful to achieve cognitive and affective objectives. It is linked with life situations. Kilpatrick, William, “A project is a whole-hearted purposeful activity proceeding in a social environment.”

“Project-is problematic act carried to completion in its natural setting”- Professor Stevenson.

A project has the following characteristics:

A project is a purposeful activity.
A project is a real-life activity.
A project is an activity in a natural setting.
A project is a problem-centred activity.
A project is an activity in a social setting.

Various steps in a project

Along the most important steps involved in a project:

Providing a situation
Choosing the project
Planning the project
Executing the project
Evaluating the project and
Recording the project

Merits of the Project Method

Based on the level of learning: It is in accordance with the following psychological laws of learning (given by E.L. Thorndike)

(a) The law of readiness: According to this law, we learn most when our minds are ready to receive. The project Method prepares the minds of the students by providing them with suitable situations.

(b) The law of effect: This law states that if learning is to be effective and fruitful, it must be accompanied by satisfaction and – happiness. The students derive immense pleasure when they manipulate their own activities.

(c) The law of exercise: This law states that learning is to be must be practised. The Project Method affords many opportunities for the students to learn by doing.

Related to life.
Correlation with Other Subjects.
Training for a Democratic way of life.
Training in Citizenship.

Demerits and Limitations:

Learning is achieved by imparting notes as a whole.
Neglect of Intellectual work.
The upset of the Time-Table
Neglect of Drill work.
Lack of Competent Teachers.

Problem Solving Method (By Socratic & Saint Thomas)

Problem-solving behaviour occurs in novel or difficult situations in which a solution is not obtainable by the habitual methods of applying concepts and principles derived from past experience in very familiar situations.

Steps of Problem-Solving Method:

Problem – awareness or selection of problem.
Problem – understanding or Presentation of the problem
Collection of Relevant Information
Formation of Hypotheses or Hunch for Possible Solutions
Collection of Data and Verification or Selection of a proper Solution
Drawing conclusion & applying the solution

The Heuristic Method (By Ii.E. Armstrong)

Meaning and Significance: The word ‘Heuristic is derived from the Greek word ‘heuristic” which means ‘I discover’ or ‘I find’. ‘Hence the heuristic, the method is the method in which children discover. and find things for themselves and are placed in the position of discoverers or inventors. This method was first used by Professor Henry Edwards Armstrong of the Imperial College London in the teaching of science. This method involves the strategy of “Trial and Error’ and ‘Invention Technique’.

Merits

Demerit

It develops a scientific and critical attitude of mind in the student.
It raises the spirit of enquiry in the students.
It develops habits of hard work among the students.
It fosters self-activity in the students.
The students learn the art of planning their programmes.

The pupil is immature and we cannot always put them in the position of discovers or inventors.
It is a very slow method and it is possible to finish the syllabi in time.
This method is not suitable for primary classes.
Wrong generalizations may be arrived at and thus a lot of time and energy may be wasted.
There is a great shortage of textbooks written on the same lines as required in the heuristic method.

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