Dimensions of Education based on Ducasse
By Anthony M. Wanjohi
1.0 Introduction
This paper gives a brief
mention of various dimensions of education according to Ducasse and Njoroge
and Bennaars. The paper mainly exposes two
dimensions of education according to the writers own view based on the existing
dimensions and the knowledge on human nature (body and mind).
2.0 Dimension of
Education
Various dimension of
education are built upon the very human nature. The concept implies that there
is a set of inherent distinguishing characteristics in human being that include
thinking, feeling and acting.
3.0 Ducasse’s Dimensions
Ducane based his dimensions of education on the
very human nature. These included the following:
Critical analysis of these 8 dimenstion reveal the
very dimenstion of human nature. Human
being is both mind and body. Human being
has is intellectual, physical and also emotive. There are acts that flow from
mind, will (volitional) and body. As such, Ducasse’s dimensions
can be summarized into two, namely cognitive and physical.
Njoroge’s and Bennaars’
Dimensions
Njoroge and Bennaars on
the other hand, came up with four (4) main dimensions of education. These
include the following:
A closer look reveals
that these dimensions also belong to two main orders, namely immaterial (mind,
will) and material (body) order.
Personal View of Dimenstions of
Education
Based on the
aforementioned dimensions of education (Ducasse’s and Njoroge and Bennaars’), Maloi (2010), a student at Africa Nazarene University,
came up with two principal dimensions of Education, namely Cognitive and
Physical dimension of education.
Cognitive Dimension of
Education
Cognition is the
scientific term for "the process of thought. It implies to conceptualization"
or recognition). It involves the processing of information, applying knowledge,
and changing preferences. In relation to education, cognitive dimension of
education is that which deals with knowledge.
Education is normally
equated with acquisition of knowledge. Learning can not be said to
have taken place if no knowledge has been passed to the learners. In fact,
knowledge is whatever remains after all has been forgotten.
Education has explicit
task in society to develop the learners cognition.
Choices are made regarding the learning environment and permitted actions that
lead to a formed experience. There are a lot of cognition processes that take
place for learning to occur. Therefore, the learning environment (teachers,
resources, etc) are important components of
knowledge acquisition.
Physical dimension of
education
Human being is able to
learn since because of connection to the environment through physical presence
(Body). Human beings are not spirits. The acquisition of knowledge is made
possible by embodiment. Thus this dimension of education is essential in mental
learning and acquisition of skills. These skills have their very foundation inn
the physical nature of human beings. Further, the feelings, volitions are also
deeply founded in physical dimension of human being.
Education thus Defined
Education comes from
a latin word, educere which means to bring out, bring out
potential. Following the limitation of dimension of education into two –
cognitive and physical, the term education is thus defined as a process
through which cognitive and physical aspects of human being are developed.
Suggested Citation in
APA
Wanjohi, A.M. (2011). Dimensions of
Education. KENPRO Publications.
Available online at http://www.kenpro.org/papers/education-dimensions.htm
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