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