Basic Ideas in Education

Contents: Preface. 1. Education: its conceptual development, traditional and modern. 2. Educational aims, functions, direction and priorities in Indian context. 3. Basic concepts: teaching, training, learning, inquiry and education. 4. Basic assumptions about human nature (idealistic, naturalistic, pragmatic, existential, behavioural). 5. Education as a dialogue (Upanishadic, Socratic and Friarian approach). 6. Knowledge and its sources (experience, observation, beliefs and social awareness). 7. Basic concepts in the sociology of education: socialisation, equality, authority. 8. Knowledge and ideology in relation to curriculum and textbooks. 9. Education and the societal context: social transformation/change. 10. Education in the cultural context. 11. Education and values. 12. Education and the modern ethos: modernization of education. 13. Education and democracy. 14. Education and the challenges of science and technology. 15. Curriculum: basic principles: established and innovative practices. 16. Curriculum reconstruction in India. 17. Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). 18. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). 19. J. Krishnamurti (1895-1986). 20. Rousseau (1712-1778). 21. Paulo Freire (1922-1997). 22. John Dewey (1857-1950). 23. Confucius (551-479 B.C.). 24. Socrates (469-399 B.C.). 25. John Amos Comenius (1592-1670). 26. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (Dr.) (1888-1975). 27. Zakir Hussain (Dr.) (1897-1969). 28. Eminent educational philosophers and thinkers. Problems for discussion and review questions.

"The book attempts to present penetrating and subtle thoughts of the masterminds on educational thoughts and practices in a simple way. It includes the thinking of eastern educational philosophers from Yajna Valkya to Gandhi and of the western thinkers from Socrates to Dewey. It provides a detailed analysis of the contribution of Tagore, Gandhi, Krishnamurthy, Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Zakir Husain, Rousseau, Freire, John Amos Comenius, Confucius and Dewey. It also incorporates a brief life-sketch, publications and essence of the work of some outstanding educators who have made a very significant contribution to educational principles and practices. It includes informative and inspiring material relevant to the emerging problems in a developing society. The book also throws light on issues like - why to educate? What to educate? How to educate?" (jacket)