Latha Vydianathan
As teachers we are always in the front of our classrooms, talking, discussing, teaching. For once take time out to walk to the back of a class and observe a fellow teacher teach. You will be amazed to find how much there is to learn from such an exercise.
Year: 2021
Technology in education: What we are missing out on
Loveina Joy
Technology has a lot to offer us in the field of education. In this pandemic, we have relied on technology to be able to continue teaching and learning. Flowing with the tide, everyday we find that technology has something new to offer the teacher or the student. However, with all the benefits that technology offers and all the good it is currently doing are we forgetting the importance of human intervention in education.
Education in theatre
Nandan Bhattacharya
Drama or dramatic plays have a lot to offer both those who are watching it and those who are performing in it. With moral values, model behaviour and tolerance on the decline see how drama can help our students imbibe valuable lessons.
There but not yet there
Usha Raman
It has been a year since our world turned upside down. And now slowly but surely we seem to be trudging towards what we used to know as ‘normal’. But with every new situation, the one thing that remains constant is anxiety, which somehow seems heightned these days. From the adult world, anxiety is now spilling into the lives of children as well and as we tackle our own worries we must look out for our children as well.
Education in these uncertain times: need for a paradigm shift
Anindita Bhattacharya
Oh god is the virus raising its head again? Will I get a job tomorrow? Am I too fat? Will I pass the exam? What am I doing in life? Anxieties seem to be the order of the day – both real and imagined. Even everyday living seems like a herculean task. Under these circumstances what we need is a powerful weapon to help us deal with our problems, education can become that tool. Not only does education help us seek knowledge and gain information, but more importantly it can help us understand ourselves and give us the skills to live complete and full lives.
Celebrating feminine energy
Devika Nadig
It is the third stop for the author as she continues to travel and learn. Here she comes face to face with leaders of the Army Public Schools across the country. In the course of training these teachers, Devika and Vijay develop a training programme which will go on to become the flagship of their organization. Devika also visits the mysterious shrine of Godess Kamakhya and imbibes the feminine energy that it exudes.
The unjust exclusion of silence
Prakash Iyer
When we live in a democracy we must listen to both those who speak and those who don’t. Someone’s unwillingness to speak should not be interpreted as indifference and ignored politely. Even those who are unable to voice their opinion, make a statement or claim what is due to them, exist in the same space. It is the responsibility of those who can speak to understand what their silent peers are trying to say and find ways to help them speak as well.
Looking good can be bad
Neerja Singh
As parents and teachers, we all want our children to grow up into confident young people who believe in themselves. In the past couple of decades though we seem to have contributed to raising self-serving, pompus young people. As their caregivers, we must know when, where and how often we must intervene in our children’s lives so they grow up to be balanced in their lives. Everything else will follow.
Paying attention without knowing it!
Neeraja Raghavan
As teachers aren’t we always on the lookout for ways to enhance our students’ attention? What if there was a simple way of doing it? Á la advertisers? There may be a lot of debate on the priming phenomenon, but if it helps us ready our students to seek knowledge, then why not try it? Lead your children into your next lesson by subtly exposing them to various aspects of the topic first.
Trekking through nature’s thoughtscape
Disha Jain
On a trekking trip to the world’s highest national park, surrounded by natural beauty and calm, this teacher began reflecting on her journey as a teaching professional, her brief attempt to foray into a different career and how small changes to teacher education programmes can produce more hands-on teachers.