Physics Pedagogy Through Ancient Indian Wisdom- Inspiring Cultural Appreciation in Learners

Abstract

The global education system is shifting towards a more inclusive and comprehensive approach that values indigenous knowledge systems. This movement addresses the need for culturally appropriate education to promote critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and global readiness. In India, a vast repository of scientific tradition, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recognises integrating the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) into the school curriculum as a pedagogical revolution rather than just a theoretical study. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of IKS on Cultural appreciation among secondary school students by incorporating elements of India’s scientific contributions into physics teaching. An experimental method with a pre-test post-test non-equivalent group design was adopted for the study. Data were collected using two tools developed and validated by the investigator: the Cultural Appreciation Scale, employed as both pre-test and post-test to measure learners’ levels of cultural appreciation, and Vedic Snapshots, a set of pedagogical activities designed to connect physics concepts with ancient Indian scientific ideas. The study's findings demonstrate that incorporating the Indian knowledge system into physics teaching is effective in fostering cultural appreciation among students. This study sheds light on the IKS-integrated pedagogical practices, contributing to a more holistic and culturally responsive education system.