Inductive-Deductive
Method
Induction is that form of reasoning in which a general law is derived
from a study of
particular objects or specific
processes. Students use measurements, manipulators orconstructive activities
and patterns etc to discover a relationship. They later formulatea law or rule
about that relationship based on their observations, experiences,inferences and
conclusions.
Example
1: Ask pupils to draw a number of triangles.
Ask them to measure the three
angles of each triangle and find their
sum. They will find that the sum of the three
angles of all triangles is 180o.
Example
2: Ask pupils to find the sum of two odd
numbers like 3+5=8, 5+7=12,
9+11=20, etc. They will find that the
sum of two odd numbers is an even number.
Deduction is the method in which the law is accepted and then applied to
a number of
specific examples. The child does not
discover the law but develops skills in applying
the same, proceeds from general to
particular or abstract to concrete.
Steps
in the inductive method:
1) The first step is clear recognition
of the problem. It should be clearly understood
and defined by the pupils.
2) Once the problem has been defined,
the child should start searching for data fromall possible sources like books,
magazines, journals, making visits to certain places etc.
3) Under the guidance of the teacher,
the pupils organize the data which they havecollected from various sources.
They select relevant data and discard irrelevantmaterial.
4) By studying particular instances, the
pupils frame possible solutions.
5) These solutions are discussed, argued
and judged. Thus tentative solutions are
eliminated and only the probable
solutions remain.
6) The solutions are applied to the
situation and results are verified.
Merits
of Inductive method
1) This method is psychological. The
student feels interested in experiments,
experiences and discoveries.
2) This method fosters independence and
self-confidence in the pupil which proves
very useful in later life.
3) In this method, children discover the
solution themselves. Hence it develops and
encourages initiative and creative
thinking.
4) All that is learnt using inductive
method is remembered easily as it is self-acquired.5) In this method, the
pupils observe and analyze particular objects of similar anddifferent nature
and try to arrive at general truth.
6) Inductive method takes into
consideration all the maxims of good teaching. The
process of induction calls for
perception, reasoning, judgment and generalization.
Steps
involved in deductive method
1) Like the inductive method, the first
step is the clear understanding of the problem.
2) It may involve the study of a
particular thing and phenomenon.
3) Principles and generalizations are
reviewed to find the one which may be
applicable to find a solution.
4) In this step the rule, principle or
generalization is applied to a problem andinference is formulated that the
problem falls under such rule, principle orgeneralization.
5) Verification of the inference is done
by applying it to a case. If it solves the
problem then it is accepted otherwise
the procedure is repeated to find the correct one.
Merits
of deductive method
1) Deductive method is short and
time-saving. It takes little time to solve the problem
by predetermined formulae.
2) In the deductive method, the
teacher’s work is very much simplified. He/shesimply gives a rule and asks the
pupils to verify it by application to several concreteexamples. For example,
students are told that the area of rectangle = Length xBreadth. Then a few sums
are solved before the students. The students apply theseformulae to solve these
problems and they memorize it for future use.
3) This method is very useful for small
children because with small children we
generally use story or telling method.
4) This method glorifies memory, as the
students have to memorize a considerable
number of formulae and definitions.
5) This method is adequate and
advantageous during practice and revision stage.
Inductive
Method Deductive Method-A Comparison
1. It proceeds from particular to
general;
concrete to abstract.
2. It takes care of the needs of the
pupils.It is a developmental process and takesthem through easy to difficult
phase.
3. It encourages ‘discovery’ and
stimulates thinking.
4. The generalization or rule
isformulated by the child; therefore heremembers it with ease.
5. The how and why of the process is
made clear through reasoning.
6. It starts from observation and
directexperience and ends in developing a rulein abstract form.
7. It encourages child participation and
group work.
1. It proceeds from general to
particular;
abstract to concrete.
2. In this method facts are thrust upon
thepupils. The principle of growth is notconsidered.
3. The authority decides or gives the
formula and encourages memorization.
4. The rule is given to the child. He
doesnot appreciate its nature and is likely toforget it easily.
5. The process is taken for granted and
accepted without reasoning.
6. Does not encourage learning but
itstarts with a rule and provides for practiceand applications.
7. It demands individual learning and
treats the child as a passive recipient.
So it can be concluded that in inductive
method we proceed from particular instancesto general laws or formulae. Through
this method, children discover many new thingsthemselves and learning becomes
very easy. It provides self-reliance and confidencein the students. Inductive
method is slow and safe as the general law is reached step-by-step. Students
climb up the stairs of thought leading to definitions, principles or rules.
In deductive method, we start with
general law or formulae and then solve particularproblems by applying this law
or formulae. It is a method of verification andexplanation and provides
instruction. Deduction can give us the formal validitybecause the rule is taken
for granted. The aim of this method is to fit the pupilgenerally for the battle
of life.
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