HEURISTIC METHOD

The term Heuristic is derived from Greek word HEURISCO means I FIND. Here the child puts in the place of a discoverer. The method involves finding out by the student, instead of telling of everything by the teacher. It aims at removing the short comings of the Lecture method. It is totally opposite to lecture, and demands complete self activity. Supporters of this method are of the opinion that every child should be made a discoverer and inventor, when this method is applied in its extreme form the teacher stands aside as an onlooker and the child selects his own path and proceeds according to own his thoughts. The teacher is not required to encourage, help or guide them.

If the child wants to accomplish some thing, let him do on his own. The teacher should not impose his reasoning. Let the child help himself with the reasoning and argument. The bookish, readymade and teacher made arguments should not be forced on the child. This method makes the student self-reliant and independent. It impacts a sound training in the education of self. The teacher’s job is not to solve the problems for the pupil, but to enable the pupil to solve the problem on his own.

Prof. Armstrong was the originator o this method. He devised it for the teaching of Science. He was of the opinion that, the school should develop thinking power of student, and for this the later must be given an opportunity to think. It is a sort of attempt to develop in the learner a particular attitude, now popularly known as the Scientific and Heuristic attitude. It aims at training a learner in the method of learning. Knowledge is not the primary consideration here. Self confidence, originality, independence judgment and thinking powers are to be developed among child.

Practically speaking. It is too difficult to adopt the extreme form of this method. The child is ignorant. He needs the teacher’s help at every stage. Without the help of teacher the child can’t do the work.


PROCEDURE

1. The child will select the topic of his interest.
2. Teacher has to prepare in such a way that, the child should reach the goal. Here teacher can give some clues to the child. (Otherwise it is too difficult to the child to attain his goal.)