Education as a Discipline

Unit 1 

Education as a Discipline

1.1  Meaning of Education as a discipline

Discipline is as a branch of knowledge. It is an integral body of knowledge, which has a distinct existence different from other branches of knowledge or disciplines. Knowledge, which is a core element of any discipline, and it is the product of human experience. It is a stock of verified body of experiences. The origin of knowledge is directly dependent on human experiences.

Element of discipline

• Specific origin or history: The core element of any discipline is experienced and verified over a long period of time. Every discipline Maths, Science has their long history. 
• Specific foundation: The foundations of any discipline are those areas of knowledge, which lay the bases for a discipline. For example foundation of science is related to the knowledge of the physical world, which is divided into living and non living substances. 
• Concepts, theories and principles: The stock of knowledge in any discipline should be arranged in the form of concepts, theories and principles.
• A theoretical structure: Theoretical structure is the main body of a discipline, which gives it a distinct existence. Every discipline should have a sound theoretical structure in which its underlying body of knowledge is interlinked in a form as an intact area of knowledge
• Own research methodology: Every discipline should have its own research methodology. The aim of research is theorizing or theory building. Every discipline can be made rich and the sound disciplinary base of it can develop via research.

Characteristics of education as a discipline

Education has been originated due to the endeavor of human beings as the process of human learning. The main question related to the origin of education as a discipline is "What is real knowledge and how an individual acquires the knowledge?"  Following characteristics of education signify education as a distinct discipline.

• Theory building: Every disciple has its own theory, theory guides the education. Discipline contains content and different theories for using these contents, so building theory is the characteristics of education. 
• Process of education: Education is the process of transforming knowledge and skills, when we implement the objectives, changes appear in behavior so process is the important characteristics of discipline.
• Education System: Like the other things education also need the system. Input, process and output are the system of education. Hence having a system is the characteristics of discipline.
• Code of conduct: In the process of conducting the education the rules, strategies, plans, techniques are called code of conduct. Education has self code of conducts. So education is a discipline.
• Formulation of base: Education has reliability, validity, objectivity, measurable, countable etc types of features so education has taken as the different discipline.
• Based on social needs: Education system is conducted by the society. It fully depends upon the needs of society. It fulfills the needs of society so social need is the important characteristics of discipline.
• Research conduct: Education must be associated with the science and technology. Education must follow the changes of time. Education must be based on research and construct the theory. Researches are needed for conducting the education discipline. So research conduct is the characteristics of education.
• Finding truth: Education must help us to find the truth. For finding the truth, we have to select the appropriate content, construct the learning theories and construct the teaching methods. So finding truth is the characteristics of the discipline.

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