154x Filetype PDF File size 0.54 MB Source: ndpublisher.in
Educational Quest: An Int. J. of Education and Applied Social Science: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 503-508, August 2017 DOI: 10.5958/2230-7311.2017.00096.4 ©2017 New Delhi Publishers. All rights reserved Addressing Perception of Geoethics Through Geoscience Curriculum at IGNOU Kakoli Gogoi*, Benidhar Deshmukh and Meenal Mishra School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India Corresponding author: kakoligogoi@ignou.ac.in ABSTRACT Geoscience provides us with an overall understanding of earth’s physical environment and its finites besides a perspective on why and how things happen around us. It also attempts to find solutions for global environmental problems in relation to place and time. Geoscientists can play an important role in addressing these global challenges and disseminating knowledge and awareness in the society. Although Geoscience is the basic element of all natural sciences, it is limited to a few chapters in the geography and environmental science books at school level in India. Hence, children remain unaware about the internal and external processes operating within and on the earth’s surface and also the perception on geoethics as compared to their counter parts in the west. Unlike western world, our youth are perhaps less aware of implications of depleting and dwindling natural resources. Thus, it is a challenge for the educators to develop geoscience education programmes with a strong component and perspective on geoethics and sustainable development. The paper discusses the possible impact of geoscience education at IGNOU in developing graduates with an understanding and inclination on geoethics. Presently, in distance mode a wide range of programmes are being offered in subjects like environment, physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology except geology. Mega universities like IGNOU are at an advantageous position for offering geoscience education owing to its wide reach to cater to millions of learners. Keeping this in view School of Sciences at IGNOU is in the process of developing B.Sc. Courses in Geology after carrying out an extensive Need survey. The curriculum for bachelor degree programme, which includes the courses on physical and structural geology, petrology, mineralogy, environmental geology, hydrology, ore geology, remote sensing and GIS has been designed and developed with help of several eminent experts across India. The courses are expected to enhance understanding of the necessity to conserve our soil, mineral, water, fossil fuels and appreciate the concepts of geoethics and sustainable development. Keywords: Geoscience education, geology, geoethics, sustainable development, ODL mode, IGNOU Knowledge of geoscience is essential to management can ensure that the natural resources understand the crucial global pressures in the are used judiciously so that they fulfill the needs of coming century i.e. shortages of water and fossil present generation and also last for the generations fuels, coastal inundation, ecosystems breakdown, to come. Thus, geoscience education is essential for environmental degradation and global warming the next generation to address important societal because geoscientists can play an important role in needs for sustainable use of natural resources, addressing these global challenges (SERC, 2016). their development and management, natural The importance of geoscience education and literacy hazards mitigation, environmental protection, and is rising rapidly because of the realization of the fact ecosystem restoration. that how our wellbeing and survival is dependent Geoscience education ensures that all inhabitants of on earth system and its resources. the planet have knowledge of the natural processes With increasing population, the demand for that shape the physical environment, and is able to natural resources is increasing day by day. Proper understand how actions of humans have an impact Gogoi et al. on the Earth on local, regional, and global scales ensure the continued existence of environmental (Sharon et al., 2012). resources, biodiversity and safe drinking water Geoethics aims to promote the sustainable use of (Sharon et al., 2012). natural resources in order to implement rigorous Importance of Geoscience and Geoscience scientific studies so as to promote accurate Education information regarding natural hazards. This would also foster the social role of geosciences and help What is Earth Science or Geoscience? The study to guide policy makers towards a more sustainable of Earth Science provides the foundation for development path and contribute to the development an understanding of the Earth, its processes, its of more environment friendly technologies. This resources, and its environment. Earth Science would bring awareness of the importance of the is the study of our planet in its entirety, how geological heritage and also contribute to the its lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and accuracy of the information conveyed by the biosphere work together as systems and how they geoscience museums which promotes links between affect each other and us. Earth Science integrates the scientific community and society. Further will the basic sciences like biology, chemistry, physics, lead to create educational resources related to these and mathematics to an understanding of the Earth principles (Vasconcelos, et al., 2015). Furthermore, around us. Earth and Space Science is a laboratory there is recognition of temporal relationship with and activity oriented course, which lends itself natural resource identified through the concept well to helping students to develop knowledge and of sustainable development wherein the ethical abilities about inquiry and the nature of science considerations suggest that man should utilize (Smith, 2004). Geoscience/Geology is a field within resource to meet not only today’s need, but also the Earth Science that specifically studies rocks, the need of future generation. This requires their composition, and the processes that lead to solving issues involving need and ability, ethics the rocks and landforms on Earth. and practicality in the ultimate protection and People are now increasingly getting more aware of preservation of environment and growth (GSI, the effects of climate change, sea-level rise, natural 2011). Thus, geoethics deals with ethical, social hazards and depleting water table. However, and cultural implications of geological research. it is felt that citizens having some educational It also reflects the opportunity for human being background in geoscience are better equipped to to become more conscious of the social role and make informed decisions about key environmental responsibilities in conducting activities related to issues. Hence geoscience education is essential the environmental management and geo-resources to address important societal needs for natural exploitation. As reported in the 2009 Earth Science resource development and management, natural Literacy Principles Report (Earth Science Literacy hazards mitigation, environmental protection, Initiative, 2009), science educators are uniquely and ecosystem restoration (GSA, 2016). It is positioned to translate the big ideas of earth science also important in related fields like civil and into language and learning opportunities that can environmental engineering, environmental studies, be understood by all students. According to this agricultural sciences, atmospheric and ocean report, an earth-science-literate person understands sciences, life sciences, etc. We need access to clean the fundamental concepts of Earth’s systems; water, air, environment and energy resources for knows how to find and assess scientifically credible our sustenance but either our resources are getting information about Earth; communicates about depleted or polluted and all these worries highlight earth science in a meaningful way; is able to make the importance of geoscience literacy/ education. informed and responsible decisions regarding Earth and its resources; and recognizes that earth scientists Geoscience Education - Indian Scenario use repeatable observations and testable ideas to Although Geoscience is the basic element of all understand and explain our planet (Dwight, 2010). natural sciences, it is limited to a few chapters in Equally, geoscientists bring critical expertise to the the geography and environmental science books goal of environmental sustainability, which aims to at school level. Thus, children remain unaware Print ISSN: 0976-7258 504 Online ISSN: 2230-7311 Addressing Perception of Geoethics Through Geoscience Curriculum at IGNOU about geoscience as a discipline and about the Hyderabad offers geology in ODL mode. It was also internal and external processes operating within reported by them that most number of bachelors and on the earth’s surface as compared to their programmes in Geology are being offered in the counterparts in the west. At school level, the state of Maharashtra followed by North Eastern students should be provided an integrated approach states, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh regarding educating them about our earth and and Rajasthan states whereas most number of its surroundings. However, at present except Masters level programmes in Geology are being geoscience all other science subjects like physics, offered in Maharashtra followed by Tamil Nadu, chemistry, mathematics and biology are taught at Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan (Fig. primary and secondary levels. Geoscience/geology 3). The reason behind this could be the rich mineral is not receiving the required status as compared resources qualified human resources, job availability to the other science subjects taught at school level. in government and private organizations directly or Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSC) indirectly related to geosciences. syllabus was reviewed for primary, middle and secondary level. At present it is observed that except geology/geoscience all other science subjects like physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology are taught at primary, middle and secondary levels. However, some chapters/lessons of earth science are included under the broad heading of Environmental/ Social Sciences syllabus. Besides, it is observed that out of total 30 hours of study only 4.3 hours of study is dedicated to Environmental Education/Social science subject (Fig. 1). Geology is not receiving the required status as compared to the other science subjects taught at school level. IX-X VI-VIII III-V I-II 0 10 20 30 Fig. 2: Spatial distribution of institutes/universities offering Bachelors and Masters Level programmes in Geology in India I--II III-V VI-VIII IX-X Total hours of study 330 30 30 30 Approx hours of Geoscience Education in ODL mode: IGNOU study 4.3 3.45 4.3 4.3 Experience Fig. 1: Approximate hours of Environmental Education/ Presently, a wide range of programmes are being Social Science Subjects taught in CBSC Syllabus (Source: offered in ODL mode in subjects like environment, Primary, Middle and Secondary - CBSE-I Portal) physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology except geology. The second University to offer geology Gogoi et al. (2016), surveyed the conventional related programmes in ODL mode is the Indira institutes/universities offering Bachelors and Masters Gandhi National Open University, which is currently programmes in Geology and reported that Bachelors offering doctoral programme in Geology since 2012 and Masters programmes are being offered at 147 and the post graduate certificate programme in and 135 institutes/universities, respectively. Both geoinformatics since 2014. Mega universities like Bachelors and Masters level programmes were IGNOU are at an advantageous position for offering reported to being offered at 75 institutes/universities geoscience education owing to its wide reach and across India in conventional mode (Fig. 2). Only flexibility to cater to millions of learners. Keeping one university, i.e. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, this in view School of Sciences at IGNOU is in the Print ISSN: 0976-7258 505 Online ISSN: 2230-7311 Gogoi et al. process of developing Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) economics, etc. which affect the behavior and courses in Geology. performance of individuals or a community (GSI, Bachelors and Masters Degree in Geology 2011). 20 The curriculum for bachelor degree programme, 18 which includes the courses on physical and structural 16 14 geology, petrology, mineralogy, environmental 12 geology, hydrology, ore geology, remote sensing Institutes10 of 8 and GIS has been designed and developed with No. 6 Masters help of several eminent experts drawn from 4 Bachelors 2 both academia and industry across India. The 0 following core courses are included in the bachelor’s degree programme which is expected to enhance understanding of the necessity to conserve our soil, mineral, water, fossil fuels and appreciate the Fig. 3: State wise distribution of institutions offering concepts of geoethics and sustainable development. Bachelors and Masters Degree in Geology Physical Geology: Physical aspects, the internal Before planning for developing the courses, an and external agencies and processes that shape extensive survey was carried out by preparing a the Earth are dealt in physical geology. It includes questionnaire and sending the same to different Structural Geology which is the study of structures institutes/universities as well as several government observed in the rocks. Geotectonics concerns with and private organisations operating in geology the movements of the Earth’s crust and the shape, and related fields and employing students from structure, and arrangement of the rock masses geology background. In comparison to a University resulting from deformation caused by movements. department where faculty strength is limited, Geomorphology or Physiography deals with the study of the ODL system has an advantage that several the surface features of the Earth which are produced number of experts/educators can be involved in as a result of various external agencies operating development of self learning materials and this on the Earth’s surface. Geomorphology, along with bachelors degree programme has also benefitted information on soil, water and vegetation has become from it since a large number of experts/educators one of the important contributions in planning for were involved from curriculum design to self various developmental and changing activities. learning material development. Geoenvironmental studies emphasize on the future prediction and calculation of geosystem response to Relevance of Geoscience Education in various types of active interactions of environment Geoethics with the surroundings. It is the relations between Geology is a fascinating subject which observes the man and his geologic, geomorphic, physical, pulse of the Earth. It studies the Earth as a whole, its cultural and social environments. Environmental origin, structure, composition and history (including geology is essentially the geology of interactions life) and the nature of processes which have given amongst various geofactors. rise to its present form. Geology is an outdoor/ Mineralogy deals with ‘study of minerals’ related field science with its own approach and standpoint. to their formation, composition, characteristics, Study of environment includes understanding of properties (physical and optical), classification, (i) physical conditions and (ii) social and cultural mode of occurrence and origin as well as their conditions. Physical conditions constitute mostly the geographical distribution and utilisation. Economic abiotic characteristics of the environment such as Mineralogy deals with minerals of economic the earth material, minerals, soils, water, landforms, importance. It is the study of economically useful air that together affect growth and development minerals and rocks of the Earth’s crust like coal, of man. The social and cultural conditions include petroleum and garnet, etc. Crystallography is a environmental parameters such as the ethics, branch which deals with the study of crystals, its external forms and internal atomic structure. Print ISSN: 0976-7258 506 Online ISSN: 2230-7311
no reviews yet
Please Login to review.