Rethinking the context of teaching

Usha Raman
A recent webinar co- hosted by Teacher Plus in association with Wishwa brought to the fore several concerns that parents and teachers had about online learning and about the aims and objectives of education. Parents were concerned about screen time and teachers about keeping the children engaged and motivated. It was however an opportunity for teachers and parents to come together and build on their collaboration.

Colour columns

Megha Chougule and Adithi Muralidhar
Here is an activity done with children of all age groups to introduce the concept of density using everyday liquids that is available at home. Stacking liquids seems an impossible task but when we see oil floating in a dish while cooking or motor oil floating on top of water puddles, it does seem worthwhile and possible. It is presented here as a puzzle to get children interested in this task.

Breathing life into a public library

Nayan Mehrotra
This article talks about the writer’s intervention in the public library space. She finds that there is no single factor that hampers the growth and popularity of the public library, rather it is more of a serious systemic issue.

When parents and teachers work together

Fiona Vaz
How can teachers and parents build a positive relationship that is neither too intrusive and also one that recognizes professional boundaries? One way is for teachers to make it a point to visit students’ homes which will help them know their students better. Parents can try to be more pro-active by taking an interest in their child’s learning and interacting regularly with the teachers. When both parents and teachers collaborate and work together, it is the student who stands to benefit.

An alienating education?

Anand Krishnaswamy
Can schools try and find ways to include parents in the educational journey of the students? What if parents could add their own experiences and that of the community in which they live to the experiences of their children? Would not that engagement be more satisfying? The teacher will then be more of a facilitator and less of an expert in education. Here are two examples of how this collaboration worked.

Teaching to remember

Preetika Chandna
Memory plays a huge role in the study life of a student. Teachers are tasked with explaining concepts to students. However, the burden of remembering falls on the student. Can teachers play a role in enhancing memory and retention of the student? This article suggests 5 techniques through which teachers can structure their lessons to help students remember better.

Understanding ‘understanding’

Aruna Sankaranarayanan
What does it mean to truly understand something? If something is learnt without understanding the basics, is that learning really useful? Teachers need to design activities that call for a deeper thinking, so that students can see the difference between ’knowing’ and ‘understanding’.

Obligation to feel solidarity

Prakash Iyer
Is treating everyone equally in all kinds of situations always right? When it comes to learning, teachers need to spend more time with children who need their help to learn and absorb and less time with children who can learn by themselves. This kind of good partiality also sends out messages of solidarity.

Learning science by doing science

Meena Kharatmal with CUBE Lab members
CUBE is a project- based science program that helps children learn science by doing science. Students of different age groups work with their peers on hands-on science experiments in school, college and even home. It is a workspace that can be set up in any school, college or even a kitchen backyard without the need for any sophisticated equipment. Read on to know more.

The Marshmallow experiment

Devika Nadig
What is the Marshmallow Experiment all about? It is all about managing your impulses and staying focused on your goals. Can teachers try this out in their classrooms to change student behavior?