Weaving values in curriculum

It is a challenge, in the present time, to develop virtues such as honesty, respect, humility, courage and generosity in our children. Over the years, parents are asking us how to help their children develop good human values like empathy, responsibility and gratitude.

The point of contention is- Can teachers redesign education to enable our children to hold themselves back when everyone else is mindlessly running in an undeclared race, introspect, think, own the concerns, empathise, analyse, express and take action.

Practical Approach

Preaching and nagging are out of question as they won’t serve any purpose. Children need to not only connect with this reconstructed educational design but also own and propagate it amongst their peers. So it has to be child-friendly, relevant in a contemporary way, ‘cool’ and interesting.

This ‘different’ kind of concept in education emerges from the premise that values cannot be taught, but they may be thoughtfully woven in the entire curriculum and the climate of the school so that children may grasp the values in action all around them and acquire a purposeful vision. Each curricular aspect of this moral construct must lead has to be interlinked – which may range from every morning in school beginning with motivational songs, inspirational audio-visual sessions followed by reflection, integration of values in curriculum, values interspersed in academic concepts, meaningful films, role play activities, gender sensitivity programme, inspiring personality project, positively stimulating class presentations, music, dance, drama, open house, self discipline through class discussions, school activities, community singing, regular counselling, peer educators, group leaders, community outreach programme, practicum in simplicity and minimalistic approach and responsibility towards environment. After all, children learn the most valuable lessons of life beyond textbooks and classrooms. 

Redefining role of teachers

Children are born illiterate. They are ignorant of the prevailing norms and achievement of the community in which they have been pushed into. With the right to educational environment they grow in to responsible citizens. Children, right from infancy go through a continual learning phase. A mind is an empty cabinet; it is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.

As educators, their endeavour is to shape students into good human beings with moral values that are necessary to lead a healthy life. Teacher’s prime responsibility is to provide a safe environment and holistic education for the overall development of children. Hence, education has to be student-centric to meet the needs of today’s competitive world.

The traditional approach of lecture and note taking has lost its effectiveness as the modern day. Experimental teaching is the need of the hour. Teacher has to make the learning process enjoyable with subject-based classrooms and smart classes. Students can interact, understand and remember things very easily as these are innovative where visuals have more impact than just reading. The use of technology supports flexibility and choice in curriculum. Classrooms with pads and tablets provide children with an extraordinary learning opportunity. Technology has revolutionised the education sector and paved way for new models of learning. With changing content resources and teaching methods, there is focus on greater involvement on the part of students.

Parents play an important role as primary educators. Both parents and teachers together would be able to make the education holistic and complete. The importance of support system that a student gets from home is equally important as his brain power, work ethics and genetics which all work in the accomplishment of his goal in life.

Is our education effective?

The world of technology touches every part of our lives. The resources available online provide each classroom with more interesting and diverse learning materials. Technologies have increased educational productivity by enhancing the rate of learning and reducing costs associated with instructional material.

Learners First

Student-centred instruction is based on the elimination of traditional teaching practice. The teaching learning process operates on collaboration rather than teachers taking a high seat. Conversation can occur between the teacher and the taught when homework replaces a lot of classroom activities, when learning is based on mutual respect and quest for knowledge. Involving students in conversation about their learning will not only boost up their confidence but they will be able to assess their work critics.

However hard we may try, our schools and colleges are not at par with international standards. We have not yet weaned ourselves or deviated ourselves from the patterns of education introduced by the colonial masters. Rote learning still plagues our system, students study only to score marks in exams, and sometimes to crack exams like IIT JEE, AIIMS, PMT, CAT or MAT. There are very few centres of educational excellence. Our educational institutions do not meet even the minimum standard. Focus on skill based education, inculcation of original and critical thinking, emphasis on research and innovation, involving smarter teachers , redefining the purpose of the education system, providing personalise education, etc are some of the steps which may enhance the standard of education in India.

Apart from providing financial security, parents provide emotional support and security to their wards. As prime educators, schools can also fulfil the role of the parents. If the schools provide a homelike ambience away from home, obviously they are fulfilling the role of parents. The school must realise that each personality handed over to them has special needs.

King Tut

Forensic reconstruction- It refers to the process of creating a face on the skull and see how the owner of the skull looked like. Here, it refers to the construction of the bust of King Tut based on the data received from CT scan.

Scudded across- It refers to moving quickly. The phrase is used with reference to the movement of the ‘dark-bellied clouds’.

Casket grey- The words point out to the covering of the stars by the‘dark-bellied clouds’, the way jewels are kept in a casket (a jewel box).

Resurrection- It refers to a new beginning for something which is old and long forgotten. Here, it refers to the new life after death.

Funerary treasures- The valuable things with which the king was buried were no less than treasures as most of the items were made of pure gold. They are, thus, referred to as ‘funerary treasures’.

Circumvented- The thieves would easily bypass the guards with artfulness and rip the mummy apart to remove the gold.

Computed tomography- Also known as CT scan, it provides X-ray image of a body in cross section. It is used for diagnostic purposes.

Eerie detail- Uncanny description of the resulting image of the head of Tut visible through the CT scan.

TEXT...

(i) ghostly dust devils- it points out to the devilish or frightful movement of the dusty winds. It reflects the anger of the winds for disturbing the king from his resting place.

(ii) desert sky- it refers to the dusty sky of the desert. The barren sky spread over the vast desert region portrays a sad and dry picture.

(iii) stunning artefacts- items found in the tomb were extremely beautiful. Usage of both the words together explains the ‘eternal brilliance’ of the objects.

(iv) funerary treasures- reference is to the fact that king was buried with numerous things which were no less than treasures as most of the items were made of pure gold.

(v) scientific detachment- it refers to an indifference towards science.

(vi) dark-bellied clouds- it refers to the dark clouds containing rain.

(vii) casket grey- the words point out to the stars being covered by the ‘dark-bellied clouds’, the way jewels are kept in a casket (a jewel box).

(viii) eternal brilliance- eternal refers to something that is timeless. Thus, eternal brilliance refers to timeless lustre and shine of the jewels and valuables of the king.

(ix) ritual resins- resins are used as a customary duty in the process of burying a body.

(x) virtual body- a body created through electronic images or CT scan. It resembles a real body and provides a very clear view.

CT scan- It refers to Computed Tomography. It provides X-ray image of a body in cross section. It is used for diagnostic purposes.

MRI- MRI is the short form of magnetic resonance imaging. It is a diagnostic tool.

Tomography- It refers to taking pictures of various sections of a human body in a three-dimensional view.

Autopsy- It refers to the post-mortem examination.

Dialysis- It is the process of filtration of bloodstream usually during kidney failure.

ECG- The electrocardiogram is a diagnostic tool that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart in exquisite detail.

Post mortem- It refers to the medical examination and dissection of a dead body to determine the cause of death

Angiography- Angiography is the examination of the blood vessels using x-rays and injecting of a radio paque substance.

Biopsy- The removal and examination of a sample of tissue from a living body for diagnostic purposes is known as biopsy.

Q 1:Scientific intervention is necessary to unearth buried mysteries.

Answer :For:

§         Science helps determine the facts related to the past even in the absence of any living evidences.

§         It leads to good amount of knowledge about the past events without which things would go in mere speculations.

§        It helps determine information about ancient cultures, tradition, and people.

§       The use of advanced scientific tools helps in extracting important facts related to past events.

§       It helps in determining the time and place of the event.

§       It gives us important information about the unsolved mysteries.

Against:

§       There is no use of digging the past.

§       Present is valuable and we must live in the present.

§      Delving into the past is waste of time and energy.

§  It is the job of the historians and not scientists.

§  It is always better to invest one’s resources on the development of living rather than investigating the dead.

Q 2:Advanced technology gives us conclusive evidence of past events.

Answer :

For:

§  With advanced technology such as CT scan, it is possible to solve medical mysteries related to deaths.

§  It is possible to create a 3-D view of the various body parts.

§  It provides intricate details through forensics, radiology and anatomy.

§  It helps find new clues related to life and death.

§  It provides data for forensic reconstruction.

§  Technology such as satellite imaging helps find buried sites.

§  Date and time of an event can be confirmed through advanced technology.

Against:

§  No use of gathering facts about the past.

§  It’s important to focus on the present issues and events rather than investigating the past.

§  Even with the help of CT scan, no conclusive evidences could be constructed about Tut.

Q3:Traditions, rituals and funerary practices must be respected.

Answer :

Traditions, rituals and funerary practices are born out of the sentiments and feelings of a community.

§  They provide identity to a community.

§  They maintain continuity of a culture.

§  They help in transferring the values of ancestors to the new generation.

§  They add to our knowledge the progress of human civilisation.

Against:

§  Traditions, customs and funerary practices may encourage superstition.

§  They may hamper the development of the society.

§  They affect unity.

§  They could lead to violence and friction between people belonging to different cultures.

Q4:Knowledge about the past is useful to complete our knowledge of the world we live in.

Answer :

For:

§  Past acts as a mirror to our mistakes and teaches us lessons.

§  Present is the outcome of past.

§  It helps us understand the progress of the events down the history.

§  It builds foundation for our present and future.

Against:

§     One must live in the present.

§     Past is infinite and should be left as it is.

§     Past should not affect our present life.

Question :

What do you think are the reasons for the extinction of languages?

Answer :

Below are listed a few reasons for the extinction of languages.

§  Migration of people to other lands

§  Influence of the rulers

§  Evolution of language due to cultural fusion

§  Limitation of vocabulary

§  Absence of written script along with prevalence of oral tradition

§  Constant changes in the society

§  Globalisation, as it has led to the use of only dominant languages.

Q:In what ways do you think we could help prevent the extinction of languages and dialects?

Answer :

Extinction of languages and dialects can be prevented through the following reasons.

§  Transferring the vocabulary and dialects of the language to the next generation

§  Teaching the languages in colleges and universities and encouraging students to specialise in the same

§  Teaching children to use mother-tongue

§  Remaining connected to one’s cultural roots

§  Respecting one’s language which will help in taking it forward to the coming generations

§   

The Need to Modernise the Institution of Marriage in India

The Indian society has moved a long way from the manner in which marriage used to be arranged. At a very close look we find that it hasn’t changed very substantially. Even today most marriages are still arranged and child marriage is rampant in our society. The married couple has nothing much to say in their marriage. Decisions are taken by the parents and rituals are decided by the norms of the society. It is more of a family business and there is less scope for individual preferences. The dislike and discomfort comes out only when they begin to live together. Tradition rules the institution of family in India and sometimes children are given away in marriage. Even though there are laws forbidding child marriage it is still followed in many villages. Hence there is a need to modernise the institution of marriage in India.

The Importance of Effective Listening

Effective speaking depends on effective listening. It takes energy to concentrate on hearing and to concentrate on understanding what has been heard. Incompetent listeners fail in a number of ways. First, they may drift. Their attention drifts from what the speaker is saying. Second, they may counter. They find counter arguments to whatever a speaker may be saying. Third, they compete. Then, they filter. They exclude from their understanding those parts of the message which do not readily fit with their own frame of reference. Finally they react. They let personal feelings about speaker or subject override the significance of the message which is being sent.

What can a listener do to be more effective? The first key to effective listening is the art of concentration. If a listener positively wishes to concentrate on receiving a message his chances of success are high.

It may need determination. Some speakers are difficult to follow, either because of voice problems, or because of the form in which they send a message. There is then a particular need for the determination of a listener to concentrate on what is being said.

Concentration is helped by alertness. Mental alertness is helped by physical alertness. It is not simply physical fitness, but also positioning of the body, the limbs and the head. Some people also find it helpful to their concentration if they hold the head slightly to one side. One useful way for achieving this is intensive note-taking, by trying to capture the critical headings and sub-headings the speaker is referring to.

Note-taking has been recommended as an aid to the listener. It also helps the speaker. It gives him confidence when he sees that listeners are sufficiently interested to take notes; the patterns of eye-contact when the note-taker looks up can be very positive; and the speaker’s timing is aided-he can see when a note-taker is writing hard and can then make effective use of pauses.

Posture too is important. Consider the impact made by a less competent listener who pushes his chair backwards and slouches. An upright posture helps a listener’s concentration. At the same time it is seen by the speaker to be a positive feature amongst his listeners. Effective listening skills have an impact on both the listener and the speaker. 

The Need to Modernise the Institution of Marriage in India

The Indian society has moved a long way from the manner in which marriage used to be arranged. At a very close look we find that it hasn’t changed very substantially. Even today most marriages are still arranged and child marriage is rampant in our society. The married couple has nothing much to say in their marriage. Decisions are taken by the parents and rituals are decided by the norms of the society. It is more of a family business and there is less scope for individual preferences. The dislike and discomfort comes out only when they begin to live together. Tradition rules the institution of family in India and sometimes children are given away in marriage. Even though there are laws forbidding child marriage it is still followed in many villages. Hence there is a need to modernise the institution of marriage in India.

Women Need To Assert Her Position in the Society

Each day we hear a lot about the violence committed on women. They are victims of oppression all over the world even though they play a vital role in every society; she is not getting the due position in the society. Men are responsible for this pitiable condition of women in the society; but this is also partially because women’s own mistakes. They prefer to stay behind men and want to be taken care of by them. As a result she is discriminated everywhere. Her voice is stifled. Women need to realise that they too are created by God with the same intellectual and emotional capabilities as of men. They shouldn’t feel inferior to men. Rather they should take the lead in the society and walk shoulder to shoulder with men or even walk ahead of them if needed. Only then they will be able to liberate themselves from all the evils they suffer from.

An Idealist Portrait of the Teacher

Teachers are of all kinds and shades. But an idealist portrait of the teacher suggests that good teachers have some common qualities which may call upon all the other teachers to emulate these qualities of head and heart and thus leave an impact.

A good teacher has a natural talent for leading students towards learning. He/she is able to dream up fascinating learning activities for his students to engage in. He/she looks for the best in students and communicates clearly that each one has untold potential. The most expressive of all the types, a teacher is remarkably good with language, especially when communicating in speech, face to face. He likes things organised and is especially when trustworthy in honouring commitments. He is extraordinary tolerant of others and is easy to get along with. A typically ideal teacher is highly sensitive and intuitive. His insight into himself and others is unparalleled. He also identifies with others quite easily and slips almost unconsciously into other people skin. He feels connected with those around and thus shows interest in the joys and problems of their colleagues, students and loved ones.

All this….apart from his command on the subject he/she teaches, a high sense of general awareness, an optimistic outlook and a good sense of humour constitute the essential being of an ideal teacher.

Are We Happier Than Our Ancestors?

We are an outcome of our past, we are forged by it and thus our present shape and appearance has more to do with what our ancestors have given us. But one question yet remains to be answered “Are we happier than them?” My stance would be negative!

When we compare the two i.e., the ancient times with the modern times, we do see that we have made a lot of progress. What we have today in terms of material possessions, our ancestors could have not even dreamt of. They lived in pre-electrification days, they did not have automation, there were no computers, no telephones, no tractors for agriculture etc. Everything was done manually and because they probably had plenty of man-power to help them around. We are definitely happier due to material possessions and advancements our modern age has made. It takes only minutes to accomplish our work because of electricity. By using automobiles, trains and aeroplanes we can travel faster. Various kinds of mechanised tools and machines have increased productivity in agriculture. We can contact people living in any part of the world.

Our mind as modern people still is looking for more and more acquisitions. Greed, jealousy, discontent, ambition etc. have made our existence hollow and at no time can we call ourselves completely happy. Our ancestors were backward and did not know about such modern gadgets but they were content, amicable and less paranoid about acquisitions. I thus conclude that we are today more equipped than our ancestors but not as happy as they were. 

Why Gender Discrimination?

For ages, it has been a male dominated world. In the past, women were treated no better than slaves. They were denied all sorts of freedom and they had no rights.

No doubt, the conditions in the country appear to have changed to a large extent. The constitution of free India has given equal rights to woman thereby putting her at par with man socially, politically, economically. But women continue to be treated in many respects in the same old way, especially in rural areas. A girl in the family is still an unwanted burden and in some cases she is even denied the right to live. It has been both shocking and disturbing to that at some places; female infanticide is practised with no qualms whatsoever. Be it south or north of India, the gender discrimination is rampant all over. Very often she is discriminated against her more privileged brother at home; in school she is treated as ‘weak’ by her male classmates. As she grows older and goes out to work, she suffers discrimination and harassment of all kinds. In spite of all the so called ‘rights’ given to women, she is not free to go out alone after evening as the crimes against women have been consistently on the increase.

No country can progress if its women are not given their participation or are devalued in any way. There’s absolutely no reason why a ‘girl’ should be treated as inferior. It has to start right from birth. Urgent steps need to be taken to make parents and society aware of the equal importance of girls everywhere. Healthy public opinion must be created in the society against gender discrimination and all the undesirable activities that it gives birth to.

What is most required is required is compulsory education of girls so that they develop into self sufficient and self respecting individuals. Laws made to protect the rights of women must be implemented with honesty and efficiency. They should not simply stay on paper. If we want our country to grow and prosper, the females have to be  given their due place.