Learning Techniques in Education: Basic Principles, Strengths and Weaknesses of Discovery Learning

Abstract

Some teaching methods are necessary in order to realize learning action that is lasting a lifetime, make it permanent and make it contribute to individual productivity. One of these methods is the discovery learning. There is an individual-centered approach in this model presented by Bruner. According to this, an individual is always eager to learn. What is important is to create the environment to practice it. In this model, the individual is aimed to discover information by urging the sense of curiosity. Different stages were detected in this model by considering the age of the individual. These stages are directly related to the development level of the individual. In the discovery learning, the student gets help from his teacher while trying to reach information by himself. The teacher directs him. It was observed that the rate of success achieved from the classes practicing this model was higher than the classes applying classical methods. For this reason, this method has increasingly started to get more attention nowadays. The discovery learning promotes individual to make his own decision. This is an approach increasing the self-confidence in individual. Therefore, it can be suggested that the model contributes to the improvement of democracy as well. However, it is unavoidable that the discovery learning model has various deficiencies as so in every model.