Not even a single teacher I came across of modern schools spoke of their reading habits. The reading hour is there for kids. From where will you get inspiration if you dont read, especially when you are in a teaching profession?
Can the teachers really make education better?
I am just taking stock of the current situation asking the question "can the teachers really make education better?". I am reflecting on the following threads and keeping it short for now -
- In the current economic rat race people live in, teachers compare their life standards with that of the other professionals. A need for two wheeler, own house, mobile phone, their own children's education and marriage expenses dodge the teachers.
- There are several senior, expereinced teachers who have wealth of teaching experience that were responisbile for current generation of professionals. There are several teachers who are unsung heroes making a difference in their villages, small towns but get a fraction of the salary compared to the city contemporaries.
- On the other side, there is technology playing role but somehow centered toward educating people over technology, and oriented towards exam preparation. This will lead to self-learning but will not teach the value system that the traditional education system brings in.
Challenges the students face
The students are often challenged by several factors at school and in the society.
If a student is not behaving properly, it is because one of the above factors influence them predominantly. It is very important that teachers and parents understand this.
There is no 'problamatic' student. Teachers and Parents need to be supported by psychological tools to counter the above issues.
1. Insecurity
2. Monotonous
3. Not given importance
4. Lack of touch and affection
5. Lesser opportunity to actually learn
6. Lesser forum to display their capabilities
If a student is not behaving properly, it is because one of the above factors influence them predominantly. It is very important that teachers and parents understand this.
There is no 'problamatic' student. Teachers and Parents need to be supported by psychological tools to counter the above issues.
Dimensions of Experience A Student Needs
I woke up this morning and asked myself, "WHAT EXPERIENCE OR DIMENSIONS OF EXPERIENCE A STUDENT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THROUGHOUT HIS SCHOOLING"?
The following answers flashed:
1. A Learning Experience
2. A Leading Experience
3. A Loving Experience
Learning should help the student expand his references of knowledge, understanding, and do things on his own as he grows.
Leading his own life, the student gets the essential survival skills, effective decision making, and also learn to initiate something for his family, his society and this country.
Loving experience during schooling is through loving and respectful treatment from his teachers, various mentors, enabling connections that builds the student in a positive psychological mould.
And I went on to ask, "TO WHAT EXTENT OF LEARNING, LEADING, LOVING, THE STUDENT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH?".
The following answers flashed:
1. Unlimited Learning Experience
2. Unconscious Leading Experience
3. Unconditional Loving Experience
Needless to explain why unlimited, why unconscious, unconditional. But if you insist on why, my answer would be - this world is abundant. If I were to start again and be a student, this is what I would long for. Every teacher, every parent, every caring person can give this unlimited, unconscious, unconditional experience to the student.
The following answers flashed:
1. A Learning Experience
2. A Leading Experience
3. A Loving Experience
 |
| Dimensions of Experience - For Students |
Learning should help the student expand his references of knowledge, understanding, and do things on his own as he grows.
Leading his own life, the student gets the essential survival skills, effective decision making, and also learn to initiate something for his family, his society and this country.
Loving experience during schooling is through loving and respectful treatment from his teachers, various mentors, enabling connections that builds the student in a positive psychological mould.
And I went on to ask, "TO WHAT EXTENT OF LEARNING, LEADING, LOVING, THE STUDENT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH?".
The following answers flashed:
1. Unlimited Learning Experience
2. Unconscious Leading Experience
3. Unconditional Loving Experience
Needless to explain why unlimited, why unconscious, unconditional. But if you insist on why, my answer would be - this world is abundant. If I were to start again and be a student, this is what I would long for. Every teacher, every parent, every caring person can give this unlimited, unconscious, unconditional experience to the student.
Continuous Learning Experience for Village School Teachers
I always thought of this - where do school teachers take help if they need help on subjects? Teachers in cities and big towns always have good sources like professors, internet, library etc to take help from. However, teachers in the village do not have a mechanism to take help from. They are continuously exposed to continued teaching experience; but they do not get continuous learning experience.
I have few ideas for addressing this need. There is a huge entrepreneurial opportunity to execute one or all of these now -
- A tuition centre for teachers in the villages.
- A call centre for teachers who can log in and take help.
- Like medical camps, social workers and volunteers can visit villages and do education camps.
- Universities can setup mandatory quarterly visits to villages or get the teachers to cities for quarterly refresher courses for village teachers.
- Lab visits for practical knowledge.
Mere provision of internet and electronic media to the teachers without any practical help can add to their frustration.
I will blog more on each of the proposals after brainstorming with like minded people.
CBSE's Open Book System for Analytical Skills
CBSE is planning to introduce Open Book system for the board students from next year. This will help the education system moving away from 'memory based' learning to 'analytical thinking' based. From what is called as Pre Announced Test (PAT), the students would know the passages from where the questions may be asked. Unlike the current system, students will not get a direct question - answer match from the books.
Its a welcome move and this is how students can assess their analytical skills. It will be a good idea if this can be introduced even from junior classes partially.
When I was a student, I broke the chapter passages into very basic questions and tried answering them. This helped me master some touch concepts even during my academic projects.
May be much more innovation is needed to take the academic load off the students and kindle the students' creativity and potential to the best.
Teachers' Bad Behavior Impact Children
Today morning, there was a news (link) in the media where a Hindi teacher insisted the girls sit on his lap. The brave girl students have complained to the parents and the teacher is now absconding as the police is in search of him.
Here is what the child psychologist and counsellor Swarnalatha Iyer recommend -
Many a time child wouldn't know if what's happening to her is good or bad. Such behaviour by a teacher can leave a negative impact on child's mind. Also, there's a chance that a child would grow up thinking there is nothing wrong if a teacher behaves like this and may learn something which is not appropriate for the society. Parents play an important role in teaching a child about a good touch and a bad touch. Child should be told that only parents can touch her body, no one else.
Teachers are the architects of the society. Their behaviours impact the society multitude!
Here is what the child psychologist and counsellor Swarnalatha Iyer recommend -
Many a time child wouldn't know if what's happening to her is good or bad. Such behaviour by a teacher can leave a negative impact on child's mind. Also, there's a chance that a child would grow up thinking there is nothing wrong if a teacher behaves like this and may learn something which is not appropriate for the society. Parents play an important role in teaching a child about a good touch and a bad touch. Child should be told that only parents can touch her body, no one else.
Teachers are the architects of the society. Their behaviours impact the society multitude!
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