Mentor Volume 10 Issue 9

CONTENTs February 2017 | Volume 10 Issue 09Mentor Thoughts COVER STORYSultan Speaks 20 The Approachable TeacherPage - 05 Building a strong team...Energize EducationThe Innovative Life Skills Pedagogy 06Page - 32School Cinema- A successful life skills interventionPedagogyRe-engineering EducationPage - 06Application of VUCA in education...The Magic of a Piece of ChalkPage - 10Redefining roles as educators...School GovernanceQuality Primary EducationPage - 14An Alternate Model for Child Centered Play Way Approach...School LeadershipTowards Sustainable School LeadershipPage - 26Encouraging Teacher Coordinators as Future School Leaders...InnovationGo DigitalPage - 29Ensuring that students are equipped with the right skills to usetechnology!14 26 29Publisher & Owner: Syed Sultan Ahmed Editor-in-Chief: Kalpa Kartik Associate Editor: Yashika BegwaniDesigned by: Uday S Production: Praveen U.M., Sathish C., Guna V. Printed by: ManojPrinted at: Elegant Printing Works, # 74, South End Road, Basavangudi, Bengaluru - 560 004.Published at: # 175, 2nd Cross, Lower Palace Orchards, Bengaluru - 560 003, India. Ph: +91 9019111110NOTICE: A Venture ofAs an author/contributor you are responsible for the authenticity of the information you provide in your article. The publishersdo not accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication. By submitting letters/emails or other publication TMmaterials to Mentor Magazine you agree they are the property of Mentor Magazine. All communication to Mentor Magazinemust be made in writing. No other sort of communication will be accepted. All decisions regarding publishing of an article All Rights Reserved © 2016is the prerogative of the publisher and editorial team of Mentor Magazine. Mentor Magazine is owned and published by EduMedia Publications Pvt. Ltd.EduMedia Publications Pvt. Ltd. for and on behalf of Mr. Syed Sultan Ahmed. All disputes are subject to the exclusivejurisdiction of the competent courts and forums in Bengaluru City.Source for a few pictures - Internet



SULTAN SPEAKSEINNFEURSGEIZYEOUEDTHU!CATION –Two decades ago, I started Even the experienced ones be very responsible if wemy career in Bangalore, as an that bring about change, had trust them and give them theengineering student who was the seeds of change sown in freedom to express. I havekeen on working with schools. their minds and hearts while never been let down by anyMy first work stint was that they were young. Somehow in college student that hasof a Debate Teacher in Sri India, we as a society do not worked for me throughout myKumarans Children’s Home. It recognize this potential in the career. College students canwas an amazing experience youth and expect very little relate to school students a lotfor me and I learned a lot, for I from college students. We are better and can be effectiveloved working with schools and happy ‘relegating’ them to be change makers if we create astudents. The more I enjoyed ‘just students’. I use the word proper system to engage themthe role, the more I realized ‘relegating’ very responsibly as with school students.that I managed to influence we have such low expectations Schools across India find itstudents and infuse in them from our students, we just difficult to source specialista love for public speaking expect them to study and do teachers/faculty for skill-basedand communication. The well in academics. However, programs like art, music,experience of working in a youth in most parts of the world dance, drama, sports and soschool completely transformed work while studying. Somehow on. Some schools use theirme as a person. I grew by in India as a society, we do alumnae effectively to supportleaps and bounds picking up not encourage our college their programs but mostinnumerable life lessons! Today students to work. schools do not look beyondwhen I look back at my eventful I started my career as a experience. Youth can andlife, I can very safely point to college student and over the always have played a greatmy work experience in college years I have had the privilege role in making a difference toas life changing. I have spent of working with thousands of the learning of students!my life thereafter, working with college students in innumerable Do you have a plan to engageschools, adding value to the cities across South Asia. I have with college students toeducation system and doing always been inspired by their improve your school?my bit to make things better for energy and enthusiasm. Thestudents. college students who have Mr. Syed Sultan Ahmed,One is at the prime of health, worked as part of my Krayon Managing Director, LXL Ideasenergy, confidence and team over the years haveexcitement between the age helped us create some of the [email protected] 18-25. The so called ‘youth’ biggest children’s events likethis time, has the potential Horlicks Wizkids, Dell Champs,to change the world. History NSE Funancial Quest, Spellbeeis proof that the youth have and many more.been responsible for some Working with college studentsof the biggest changes that has taught me that they canhave occurred over millennia.5

PEDAGOGY RE-ENGINEERING EDUCATION Mr. Ian FariaWith over 38 years of total VUCA is a word that has been completely new understandingwork experience, Mr. Ian Faria doing its rounds in the corporate of this world before we canbrings a plethora of skills and world. It originated in the predict and prepare studentscapabilities to the education American Army in the 90’s, but is for it.table. He started his career in now a term used often to describethe merchant navy, where he a world that is in constant churn. Machines arequickly rose up the leadership The acronym VUCA stands for increasingly takingladder to be a certified Chief Volatile, Uncertain, Complex over the world. TheOfficer. As a community leader and Ambiguous.he has been President of the How does VUCA have a bearing sad news is thatKarnataka Goan Association, on education? education is notthe Catholic Club, the Catholic Well, it has a direct bearing. even taking theseAssociation of Bangalore One of the key purposes of signals seriouslyand St. Joseph’s Old Boys education is to prepare students Can this really be done?Association. for a job. That preparation is a Yes, but we will need to look at long process and takes years education afresh. Ideally it hasThrough Toastmasters, he has to achieve. It begins at the to be seen from two differentbeen determined to improve foundation stage, in school and fronts:the communication skills for is later reinforced in college. The Situation:A rapidly changingIndian leaders and has also However, the world is far from world.been awarded the Presidential constant or stagnant. The world Capabilities:Advances in brainCitation in 2006 for the same. as we know it, is going through studies. This has helped transform the its own flips and cartwheels. It Six out of the top ten jobs todaymindset of the many leaders is no longer the linear growth were not even around a decadehe works with, in some of the world that we could predict ago. What jobs will be in greatbest multinational companies and plan for. It is fluctuating demand? Genetic Engineeringin India. He is currently a Board and disruptive; chaotic andMember of East West School, totally unpredictable. We need aBengaluru and was a foundingmember of the Society atXavier’s Institute of Managementand Entrepreneurship XIME,Bengaluru.In this article for MENTOR, Mr.Faria shares a fresh conceptused by organizations andhighlights its manifestation inthe education space.6 www.lxl.in

and Genetically Modified Foods; changes to business through February 2017Boutique Medical Treatments; Artificial Intelligence, Machine the status quo – are operatingCustomized Medicines; Learning and Robotics. attributes from the past. TheseHome Delivered Services; are redundant and dangerousNeighbourhood Conveniences Collaboration in a world that is chaotic andand Borderless Business. Then is the way constantly disrupting itself. Wethere is Artificial Intelligence; will need to pull up our socks,Stem Cell Therapies; 3D forward, and and work collaboratively withPrinting; Machine Learning networking and the corporate world to jointlyand Self Healing Systems. synergy are not estimate where we are heading.Things are changing too fast merely words or We have to seriously adoptfor us to comprehend them. It new paradigms in education.is extremely difficult to predict concepts Some of the models that couldwhat the next big thing could be Let us look at a very recent be significant for us could beor what will be redundant soon. example. WIPRO had announced determined by predictions from that they would be making the futurists. Unfortunately, evenHave we got any proof that 3000 maintenance engineers the experts will not be able tothings are really changing? redundant. They were going to make their predictions with anyCompanies that did not keep rely on Artificial Intelligence and level of certainty. For educationpace with the changing Machine Learning to replace - this is confusing. How canscenario lost market share and these engineers. The predicted we train our students for abecame almost insignificant. savings for the company in the world where even the industryMarket Leaders like Yahoo and first year alone is a whopping and corporate experts are inNokia are almost insignificant 390 crores. However, there is a quandary? We may have toin today’s world. Companies bad news for technology and use predictive modelling tolike Ola and Flipkart were not engineering folks. Companies determine what may be requiredexpected to survive. Nothing like TCS and Infosys are also and how students will need tois as predictable as it used to doing something similar. Even learn things differently.be. This is an unpredictable the CISCOS and the DELLS of Now let us move to anotherpattern that we will have to the world are contemplating area of interest for educators –contend with. Some companies similar kind of moves. Machines Capabilities.will make meteoric rises to the are increasingly taking overtop and many will fade into the world. The sad news is Capabilities – Advances in Braininsignificance. This creates a that education is not even Studieshuge gap of uncertainty for the taking these signals seriously. Till about the middle of 2015, Icorporate world. How can we Complacency and maintaining had only been able to sourceplan for such a volatile world? about 40 good books that layWhat adds to the challenge of people could read, on thethis VUCA world is the rapid subject of the human brain. However, in the last year alone, I7 have been able to procure more than 110 books on the brain. It is apparent that with the large funding being allocated across the globe for brain studies, there will be many more books hitting the stands in the year 2017. We can expect a plethora of books that will keep us busy and a tad bit confused. But this could also a blessing in disguise for us. For the first time in history, we are able to understand the brain in myriad new ways. Mindfulness is no longer just a part of spirituality. Mindfulness is the new mind mantra in the management world. Another www.lxl.in

way of understanding this is Can we build this a little further of our teaching methodology?- working memory which is and augment it with some Points 1 and 2 above arelucidly explained in a book - the of the new mind-expanding standard requirements thatNew IQ - by Ross and Tracy techniques that are constantly academia are used to. However,Alloway. The sooner we are able being discovered? Can we it should now be looked at fromto understand the power that move to a more rounded off and the point of view of a VUCAis inherent in the human brain, holistic approach to learning? world.and how the triune mind system Can we polish up essential How can we make a collaborativeworks, the better we will be able people and communication partnership between industryto train the minds of the students skills, while building a framework and technology leaders andwe are shaping for tomorrow’s of math, science and technology academia?world. and psychology? This is essential if educationIsn’t it strange that we are still What knowledge/skills can has to be relevant by the timeeducating students for a world be added or topped up at the a student moves from campusthat no longer exists? Yes, college level? to the corporate world. Thiswhile some basic knowledge, Can this also be dynamic so that would be a win-win situation forespecially with language, math it aligns with a changing world? education and for the industryand basic science is more or less Could confidence and the ability as well. Novel thoughts likethe same, we should be aware to communicate effectively and this will eventually narrow thethat knowledge in higher science impactfully, be an essential part education–industry gap. Bothand technology is exploding at a sides need to see this as a jointrate that we have not yet seen challenge rather than wanting toand are yet to fully comprehend. push the buck on to the other.Experts say that even in the Collaboration is the way forward,short phase between joining and and networking and synergy areleaving college what is being not merely words or concepts.taught could already have lost In a highly disruptive world, it issignificance or relevance. Is it these solid collaborations thatpossible for education to keep will help the world adapt/adoptpace with industry, Science and and improve more nimbly.Technology? It has to do so if The U.S. Education System isit wants to retain its importance much more nimble than ourand its impact. system in India. The elective subjects allowed for the hybridHere are some questions for the degrees and certifications areacademia to ponder: limited only by the imagination.What are the basic knowledge Students can choose and evenand skills that students need at design their own educationalthe school level?8

February 2017requirements. In India, we are able to establish ourselves as innovations that will hold us intoo structured and strict. This is thought leaders, could well be good stead as we approach thenot an asset, but a liability in a this systemic issue, of having disruptive business scenariosworld where change is the only to memorize things, rather than that could stealthily be lurkingconstant. Can we get our law to understand the machinations just around the next corner.makers to start looking at what of the process. Could we Last but not least, are we astomorrow’s world requires rather therefore nurture mindset to educators doing at least a littlethan look back and bicker over question and challenge? Could to keep ourselves updated to thewho did what and who was right/ we get students to do their own latest in the world? Innovationwrong? We can no longer learn research before the class is and upgradation should be themuch from history, because conducted? Could we get them norm, and not a one-of activity.history is now being created at to think more disruptively? This Let us lead by example. Whatbreak-neck speed. When are could help them become more have we done in the last fewwe going to learn how to keep creative and innovative. It could months/years to keep abreastourselves on our toes? When also help them become more with the happenings in theare we going to crack and adaptive to a disruptive world. technology or service worlds?eliminate the thought leadership We are living in a high tech We are leaders and the best waystraightjacket? We need to be and high touch world. Let us to teach is surely by example.able to innovate and create always remember that our Let us always remember this.technology rather than wait to advantage lies in intelligence So let us recap this...see what works and try to imitate and is more or less surrendered • We need to embraceand replicate it. to the computation/memoryHow can we move from capabilities of intelligent, self- nimbleness and the ability toassessing students on their learning machines. However, jump further than we wouldmemory capability for information our strength lies in the domain of have dared to jump before.retention to assessing students emotions and how we read and • We need to be constantlyon their ability for problem respond to it. aware of where our bestsolving and innovation? From an industry perspective, thrust exists, and know how toOur assessment system is there is a lot of focus on online exploit it quickly.geared towards mapping the and cyber learning. This is great, • We should be collaborativeability to rattle out information but like most companies who use and interactive when we planas though this is some form this, we are seeing clearly where curriculum and coursewareof memory challenge. What is it has an edge, and where there for today’s students who willreally required for our students are constraints. It is now up to us be productive in tomorrow’sis to get a thorough knowledge to see how this potent mix will world.of how things work or how we work to everyone’s advantage. • We should upgrade our owncan work to improve or adapt Blended learning is also making knowledge banks regularly.them when required. The reason huge headway, and these arewhy we in India have not been [email protected]

THE MAGIC OF A PIECE OF CHALK Mr Rajaram SharmaProf. Rajaram S. Sharma The role of a teacher has not adult, confident of his (with dueheads the Central Institute of changed and will not change. apologies to the persons ofEducational Technology of the Carried away by cosmetic other genders, for convenience,National Council of Education changes in the world, the this article refers to teachers inResearch and Training. He teacher in us need not dream the feminine and students in theleads initiatives in exploring of becoming super women and masculine) competence and theappropriate applications men. Nor need we be intimidated ability to take on the world hasof ICT in education. He is by the face in the mirror, fall in always remained the primaryclosely associated with our own esteem and declare purpose of education.the implementation of the ourselves incompetent. A leap in imagination that theNational Policy of ICT in school Of course, things are constantly process of learning can beeducation, particularly the changing around us, ever so scaled up - many people can bedevelopment of a National rapidly. Societal expectations, simultaneously apprenticed toRepository of Open Education parental aspirations, student one teacher - led to the conceptResources and a curriculum goals, everything is changing. of a school. The need was feltwhich aims at enabling teachers The very educational canvas is for a structured programme,and students in meaningfully in a constant state of flux. But the enabling one or more teachersusing ICT to enhance their situation rather than becoming to attend to their pupils. Thiscapacities to learn. one of panic should be one of has resulted in a rather complex euphoria. technology called schooling.His career in education If at all, it is easier to be a teacher Structured curricula stratified intospans over twenty-five years, today. With umpteen teaching subjects, age wise stratificationwhere he has been a teacher, assistants available, all that is of children, stratification of theteacher trainer, and researcher, needed is for us to rediscover time available - annual plansexploring active methods of our professional selves, right and time tables, and to toplearning, helping children size our efforts, right orient it all a stratified performancebecome independent learners, priorities and we are sure to be card have emerged as integralenhancing teacher competency merrily gliding over the most components of this vehicle.and capacity for innovation, turbulent of waters.and helping school systems Learning- Then and Now Originallyexplore appropriate ICT to The concept of a school is about conceived as areach out and bridge divides. two to three hundred years teaching aid,(theHe champions the Creative old. Various models existed text book)hasCommons and free and open earlier, but shared the common morphed itselfsource software applications. principle of apprenticeship. It into a cancerousIn this article for MENTOR Prof. has always been our belief that monster takingSharma decodes how the chalk learning is best achieved when over every aspecthas often symbolized teaching a youngster is taken underand learning and what it means the wings, guided through the of schoolingtoday. routines, inspired to set higher and higher goals for oneself The costs that we pay for10 and encouraged to attain them. achieving this apparently well- The morphing of an unsure oiled technology, which churns child into a young self-assured out millions of branded children www.lxl.in

has been debated and does not beleaguered teacher have February 2017deserve further space here. If it also been attempted. Rangingwere not for a general growing from the textbook, teacher people at a time and achieve thediscontent with this model, you training, teaching aids and the same levels of efficiency as thatwould not bother to read this or recent technological gadgets, of the original apprenticeshipsimilar arguments in education. have attempted to help the models. While I leave it to you toA very old English poem, teacher and the students to work out the possibilities and thesuccinctly sums up what we easily swallow the bitter pill. details of the solution, I am sure,have achieved. Changing the wheels, replacing many of you have already rolledFor want of a nail the shoe was the upholstery and sprucing the up your sleeves – Do you havelost, exteriors with a brand-new coat an alternative, you ask!For want of a shoe the horse was of paint may not make the rickety The answer is NO. Given thelost, old car perform any better. demand that millions of childrenFor want of a horse the knight Perhaps fitting a new engine be educated in the best possiblewas lost, under the bonnet may help. manner with the least possibleFor want of a knight the battle Presumably the old chassis is expense and effort is really awas lost, not very rusted. huge challenge, and human kindFor want of a battle the kingdom What is being pointed out is that is yet to come up with a viablewas lost. all the possible changes we alternative. Our best shot wouldAll for the want of a horseshoe attempt will amount to tinkering be to consider how to makenail. because it primarily accepts the the existing school, completelyFor those of you who are more model that school as a construct aware of its inadequacies, morevisually inclined, do look up – some people can teach many effective.an animation by RSA Animate For our argument, however,based on a talk by Kenneth let us distinguish betweenRobinson. education and schooling.How have we reacted to Education is what accrues to anthe model as well as our individual following a life time ofdiscontentment with it? investment in learning. Naturally,Smaller reactions in the form of it can never be deemedwithdrawing children and home completed. For a teacher orschooling them, creating smaller parent therefore, to claim thatclasses, embracing alternate she is educating a child iscurricula etc. have been rather presumptous. At bestattempted. Relatively larger they are passing on a passioninitiatives of adopting assistive for learning, the technologicaltechnologies to support the know-how of learning, and a minimum foundation – the11 alphabet and the number, which will help the learner access information, act on it and build www.lxl.in

for oneself a fund of knowledge, oneself squarely belongs to the “No more do I teach English, Irelevant and adequate for their individual, at best we can only only teach the English textbook”.pursuit. enable that process. To read, comprehend and actThe Road Ahead Let us examine a few other upon the text, the diagrams, theThis helps redefine our role such baggages and see if we activities and the questions inas a teacher and in fact, shed can shed them. The textbook the textbook is the responsibilitysome baggage. In the earnest is one of the most contradictory of the student. To learn from it,hope that we would improve the of innovations in schooling. perhaps before the class takes ittechnology called schooling, Originally conceived as a up, and participate in unravellingwe have added components, teaching aid it has morphed itself the topic is a privilege you canpatching up a crack here, into a cancerous monster taking afford for the student. Positionplugging a hole there. So much over every aspect of schooling, it thus and enjoy the adventure,so, that we actually have a very even the teacher. Rather than leading your army in exploringlarge number of extraneous being a master craftsperson what the text hinted to, whatcomponents which may not whose wizardy inspires learners, the library expounds on, whatbe as important. For example, teachers are being reduced to the activities and projects caneducating a child is certainly arbiters of a textbook, reading build on. We will not only feelnot our business. The right and from it, annotating it, shackled by like Archimedes jumping outthe responsibility to educate it. As a close friend bemoaned, of the tub, shouting Eureka! Or Newton assuaging the bump on his head from the apple that fell. The joy of learning is what you experienced, it is what you share with your fellow explorers. You have the unique seat from which you may behold the brightening of each face in the class, the glint in their eyes assuring you that each of them is well on their way to be a better learner. Show the textbook its due place. Keep it with the student. Reclaim your rightful place. Become the master of your classroom. Information and Communication Technologies, in fact is at best a proxy for all the trivial gadgetry that has appeared on the classroom scene. As short lived12 www.lxl.in

February 2017as they are, they have had their that they are eminently qualified the core competencies andtoll on the teacher. The debate to be the bottled genie, waiting demanding the right assistanceof which gadget is better than to be unleashed. They await from all possible technologies,the other has become so noisy the smart teacher to uncork it. will certainly re-establish thethat a meaningful stance on Discover your password. teacher in her rightful place asthe issue is difficult. Many a the driver. All that is needed is forcompeting argument can be put The magic in us to rediscover our professionalforth for introducing one or the the classroom selves, right size our efforts andother device. Fortunately asking lies between the rightly orient our priorities.a rather basic question can help fingers of the The magic in the classroomunravel the issue. Does the use teacher. The lies between the fingers of theof a particular ICT deliver the humble chalk teacher. The humble chalkteacher from the issues that represents that represents that power. The waycome in the way of performing she wields it can make all theher core activities – continuing power technologies dance to her tuneto learn and enabling the Identifying the unessential and the Pied Piper shall merrilylearner. Any ICT which expects components and offloading wind her way through, guidinginvestment of time and effort them will certainly make the her students to fashion their ownon an extraneous objective, vehicle leaner; focussing on destinies, reassured of a job wellsay colouring or formatting a done.presentation slide, is clearlyadding to the burden without a [email protected] dividend.While drawing the curtains onICT would be like throwing thebaby out with the bathwater, itis every teacher’s right, ratherresponsibility to engage with it,critically examine it for its worth,reject it if need be and claim thetechnology as an able assistant.In fact, it is the beauty of everytechnology beginning with thechalk and the board to the mostmodern technological device13

SCHOOL GOVERNANCE QUALITY PRIMARY EDUCATION Ms. Malavika KapurProf. Malavika Kapur is a Education is dynamic and has and recommendations underVisiting Professor at National evolved in India, especially in the Draft National EducationInstitute of Advanced Studies, the last few years. India has Policy 2016, to keep up with theIndian Institute of Science had a rich history of eminent dynamic and changing contextCampus, Bengaluru and scholars who have added to of education.former Professor and Head the knowledge repository in the Few Recommendationsof the Department of Clinical form of Vedic or mythological Instead of a new policy, aPsychology at the National literature, scientific enquiry transformational document mustInstitute of Mental Health and and mathematical theorems. be considered to provide theNeurosciences, Bengaluru. Since its conception, education framework to translate policyShe has fifteen books and has developed with various into reality based on experienceover 100 publications to her meanings and with each passing at the grassroot level:credit. She is a Fellow of the year, it is structured furthermore, • Apart from highlighting theIndian Association of Clinical to aid this development. ThePsychologists, the Indian Ministry of Human Resource flaws of the current educationAssociation of Child and Development, Government of systems at preschool, primary,Adolescent Mental Health India formulated National Policy elementary, high schooland the British Psychological of Education in 1986 to 1992 and higher education, theSociety. She has been a that helped lay foundations policy fails to highlight evenconsultant for organizations of a robust education system the marginally successfulsuch as the WHO, UGC, in India. However, there have efforts of movements suchNCERT, NIPCCD, ICMR and been major socio-economic and as Sarvashiksha AbhiyanICSSR. political changes since then and or other groups, though at the existing policies need to be smaller scales. The necessaryShe has been on the Advisory relooked at. The Ministry came conceptualisation of this hasGroup of the ICD Revision of up with a few changes, inputsChild Psychiatric Disorders atthe WHO Mental Health andSubstance Abuse Division,Geneva from March 2010. Hermain contribution is her work ofdeveloping integrated modelsof mental health service deliveryfor children and adolescents.In this article for MENTOR, Ms.Kapur shares her perspectivesand inputs for the NationalEducation Policy Draft, 2016.14 www.lxl.in

been highlighted more than in the policy is overlooking February 2017 adequately in the previous the child-centred play way into schools. This appears National Policy documents methodology. In the present ideal on paper. More than and the Yashpal Committee education policy document simply getting children into Report (2009). ,this basic understanding schools it should focus on of bridging overall child closing the achievement gap.• Need for assessment is development and educational Children from underprivileged highlighted at all the levels practices is absent. The whole backgrounds have already but looking at assessment as burden is laid at the door of lost out on competencies like an end in itself, continues to NCERT. What we are looking numeracy and literacy and persist. The question is, after at, is the change of mindset of non-cognitive skills because of assessment, what should be the teachers and educators of stressful family backgrounds the next step? Assessment all levels, preschool to higher where there is financial strain. should be the means to an education. Just getting these children into end, namely remediation. The classrooms is meaningless. enormous amount of money, Teachers beating It is important to develop time and effort that is spent on children is a common and implement a summer assessment does not benefit sight in government programme that will enable children in the school. schools. They believe some closure of achievement that children need to gap so that they can at• The issue of ‘life skills’ is least catch up somewhere distinctly different while be disciplined and along with their peers. This enhancing occupational corporal punishment sort of summer program for skills and employability is is the only way to do it RTE children creates play- an equally laudable aim. based strategies to improve Life skills promote overall • The time has come to examine literacy, communication and psychosocial development how existing policies can be non-cognitive skills like self- while occupational skills translated into providing child- regulation. especially for school leavers centred activities replacing • Within the RTE discourse is a different issue altogether teacher centred unidirectional itself there were gaps initially which needs lot of research, rote learning, rather than when they failed to include employment and placement proposing new policies. children with disabilities. network. After advocacy from parents • The RTE concept has and organizations, children• ICT is seen as a panacea. several gaps. It is focused with disabilities were also In the absence of quality more on getting children included. This again remains education, ICT would only only on paper. If we want to magnify the anomalies in the teach all children the value of school system. diversity, inclusion and justice, this also has to translate into• The obvious and blatant flaw action. • Prof Yashpal’s dictum of15 “Learning from Children What to Teach Them” is completely lost. All these years we were not lacking in good policy documents but in our inability to implement changes. The present document only continues to promote the faults of the earlier documents instead of using the perfectly satisfactory documents to examine why these policies have failed to reach the grassroots level of the education system. www.lxl.in

Background teaching technologies and manner from the centres ofThough India has very dependent on teachers. Overall excellence rather than beingprogressive policies for psycho-social development of put together at the grassrootchildren’s education, these have the children was not considered level.not been successfully translated important. Self-sustainable childinto action at the grassroots level. centred efforts have not been Child-All the well-meaning efforts at attempted at the grass root level. centred andthe national level are paved with There are many drawbacks developmentallygood intentions, idealism and with the present day education appropriateelitist educational approaches system. By attending to these teaching orto quality education but these deficiencies one may move learning aspectshave not been successfully forward to provide quality are alien to mosttranslated into action in most of education. Some of the major of the teachersthe government schools. In an problems are:extensive review at the National • Though teachers may be welllevel of pioneering around 50 • Very little effort is made to versed in the theories of goodstudies on promoting education evaluate and validate theories teaching practices, such asin Indian government schools, and practices at the grassroot ‘joyful learning’, they do notit was found that the focus level. follow it in their day-to-dayessentially was on reading, teaching practices.writing and maths using better • The methods of instruction are laid down in a `top-down’ • The burden of teaching rests entirely on the already over- burdened teachers. • The barriers between the teachers, the taught and the community remain strong and unyielding. • Basic concepts of child development across physical, intellectual, language, emotional, social, sexual and moral development and their understanding is totally lacking amongst the teachers. Their firm commitment is to teach in the traditional way with only the teaching aid16 www.lxl.in

of a stick. Teachers beating promulgated by the Right to February 2017children is a common sight Education Bill, and the provision levels, the aim of providingin government schools. They of equitable or quality education quality education to all has notbelieve that children need to still remains a distant dream for succeeded.be disciplined and corporal many children. The provision The quality of higher educationpunishment is the only way to of quality education requires rests on the quality ofdo it. a radical paradigm shift in the foundation at the primary school way education is imparted to level. Hence, the need for child-• Child-centred and children at the grassroot level. centred play method whichdevelopmentally appropriate A large number of micro level the preferred practice in theteaching or learning aspects studies focusing on the learning best- known education systemsare alien to most of the potential characterization and as well supported by empiricalteachers. child-friendly practices are research in Developmental needed before we can reach out Psychology in the western• The reality that promotion of the to the large majority of children nations. Despite the adulation psycho-social development at the macro level. of the ancient Indian educational of disadvantaged children practices, it must be brought is possible has not been Though teachers to the notice, that historically convincingly demonstrated to may be well versed in education in India has been the the teachers so that they are the theories of good prerogative of the elite by caste, willing to adopt them. class and economic status. teaching practices, Today, there is a dramatic shift• Special needs of the children such as `joyful of focus to mass education as they relate to caste, class, and rightly so in a democratic and ethnic groups have learning’, they do country. The same teacher not been acknowledged not follow it in their centric and rote memorised by teachers. This prevents day-to-day teaching methodology followed for times them from capitalizing on the immemorial, for a selected inherent potential of children. practices few, cannot achieve quality education to all. Unless child-• The need to relate and All the children in India will be centred play methodology empathize with children and in the schools according to the becomes operational at least to understand their families is for 50% of the school hours, not deemed to be necessary. there is no hope for the future of education for all the childrenAt the national level, the various Right to Education Act. Research in our country, across caste,indicators of the school system by multiple sources such as class, gender and ethnicity andare better than before. Yet a National Council of Educational religion.very large number of children Research and Training, Annualdo not learn enough to realize Status of Education Report andtheir full potential. Free and The United Nations Children’scompulsory education, as Emergency Fund have indicated that at the grassroots17 [email protected]





COVER STORY THE APPROACHABLE TEACHER Mr. Trilok Singh Bist A visionary educationist with 25 years of experience in teaching and in school administration, Mr. Trilok Singh Bist is the Principal of Jodhamal Public School, Jammu since April 2012. He has recently been awarded the prestigious International School Award by the British Council for outstanding development of international learning in the curriculum, Meritorious Services Award by IAYP and the Best Principal in the J&K and Himachal Regions by SOF and British Council, for the fourth year in a row from 2012-2015. As a Principal in Jodhamal Public School, he has been working as the Chief Executive Officer of the School and shares his experiences with MENTOR while he has been running the school efficiently with his meticulous planning.Take us through your early life. to the world around us while we Your personal experience as aChildhood, growing up, and were guided well. Today the parent/ educatoreducation during your school life. teacher-student relationship I remember when my son wantedI’ve been a very bright child has become very commercial to pursue football seriously, thereacademically. I think education and involves a give and take were a few oppositions sayingduring our times was way relationship. Nothing extends he must finish engineering andsimpler with lesser burden to beyond classrooms since there concentrate on academics. Butcarry back home. We had the are various means to learn and I have always believed in holisticevenings free for play and that to attend to. development and pursuinghelped in preparing us for life. As Principals, it becomes our one’s dreams and today’s kidsOur teachers were also very responsibility to be able to need that support and space.focused. incorporate this basic feeling So, we let him continue hisToday, teaching has become among teachers and I feel in passion for football and we werecommercialized and teachers the years of my service here at proud parents to see wonderfulalso tend to focus more on Jodhamal, I have been able to results in the form of winningtutoring and coaching classes. achieve that! international championshipsChildren are forced to attend and trophies. We now have atuition classes. Students todayneed holistic developmentwhich teachers are unable tooffer. Furthermore, with so muchinformation available at handtoday, that children are confusedas to what they must do. In thissense also , there is no guidancethat comes from teachers. Inour times, the teacher-studentbonding was phenomenal.That bonding or teachersremembering students’ namesyears later also, gave a verypersonalized touch and made itmore convenient for us to relate20 www.lxl.in

football champion in our house! What according to you is the February 2017As educators, as parents and purpose of education? Tell us about a recent book youguides it is our duty to ensure Open the minds of students. read or a recent film that inspiredthat we provide active support Open doors and windows of the you and your key learning as aand freedom to the children student’s mind and help him/her school leader from it.so that they may follow their use logic and wit to tackle the To Sir with Love, by E.R.passion. situation. In today’s world, it is Braithwaite was a book I lovedChallenges faced at work. very important to learn the skill wherein an African teacher wonBalancing work and family life of being street smart. Students the hearts of American studentsFortunately for me, the entire need to be able to think and with the effortless and uniquefamily is affiliated to the school. apply their thoughts in real life ways in which he conductedMy kids were in my school and situations to succeed in life. himself. It touched uponmy wife also works here, so I sensitive issues of racism in thehave never had an issue on that Teachers need to society. I admire the film and itsfront! mould their ways of treatment. It was very inspiringLeadership teaching, they need and I felt it is so important for usWhat are the challenges you to be more adaptive to adapt, and to accept diversity!face as a leader/Principal? How do you constantly keepThe initial challenge while I to sustain in the the learning curve going forcame into Jodhamal, was being education space yourself?accepted. I had come from Leadership has taken variousDehradun and the members forms- inspirational, autocratic,here were not prepared to democratic and so on. But Iwelcome an outsider. I had feel there cannot be only onebeen imported and was an correct form of leadership. It hasoutsider. Initial acceptance was to be a blend of all. What worksa challenge and it took time for in today’s scenario best wouldme to get a structure in place. be situational leadership- oneBut we were good to go within that can tackle with differentthe first few months. Leadership situations and react to theis about acceptance and about situation accordingly!building a strong team that has I ensure that I update myselfgreat ideas. Again, someone constantly by regularly attendingin the team might have a better workshops, conferences. I haveidea than me, at such points we also been a regular speakerhave open discussions and if an for various Principal summits. Iidea is mutually agreed upon, have led an inclusive educationwe work around it! project in Dubai all of which I feel have added to my learning curve.21 www.lxl.in

Governance The teacher should be caring kind of adaptiveness we needWhat are the key highlights of and warm. The children should today!the advice you would give to your be waiting for the teacher to How would you groom teachers/teachers/ staff at the beginning walk into the classroom with a staff to become leaders ofof each session? ‘look forward to’ attitude for the tomorrow?I want the teachers to be teacher and that is when you I ensure that the teachers alsoeffective teachers. Effectiveness feel a bond has been created! keep updating themselves.in teaching does not come We need to invest a huge They keep reading and I keepwith academic success only. amount on our teachers. It discussing with them. I ensureThere has to be a strong seems to be a big concern they are on their toes and keepteacher-student bonding. A today. What teachers have updating themselves with freshbond between the teacher learnt needs to be unlearned skills. What did they pick upand taught is important. They and relearned according to the from a film or a book? We keepneed to connect at a deeper 21st century. We have a few staff having workshops around thelevel for complete learning to development programs for their year and we look at about 8-10happen. And that bond is the leadership and training. They workshops a year. Teachers aremost effective tool to ensure need to go out there interact with asked to attend, to learn andthat learning will occur. There other members of the community continue learning, only thenis again a difference between which only helps them grow. would they be able to match upfriendliness and being over Teachers need to mould their to the smart students of today,friendly. It is important to ways of teaching, they need to who can find information at justconnect with students but again be more adaptive to sustain in their fingertips.the line must not be crossed. the education space. This is the Effectiveness in teaching does not come with academic success only. There has to be a strong teacher-student bonding. It is important to have a good blend of technology and personal guidance for the students. Only chalk talk does not work and neither will complete technology22 www.lxl.in

February 2017dependence help. It has to be Association – We introduced teaching learning a morea classic blend of both wherein the learning by doing concept interesting affair.the teacher can also learn and via our association with the • Digital Education – Eachaccommodate the child’s needs British Council. Jodhamal teacher is trained to use thewhile guiding the child with their students regularly organize digital boards and modulesexperience. Street Plays & Nukkad to make their lessons moreThe teacher needs to filter Nataks for social awareness interesting.information and pass it on to the on Women Empowerment, • The play way method is usedstudents. Water Conservation and other to teach students. relevant issues. • Developing MUN CultureWhat are the activities that • Story Telling Methodology (Pre and the Youth Parliament tostudents engage in? What is Primary to Class VIII)- To add enhance a child’s outlook.their relevance/ importance in innovative practices using the The activities help thetheir development? inter disciplinary approach, students develop a passionThere are workshops, seminars, to know the methods of and eventually lead to holisticdiscussions, debates and preparing the props and the development.digital classes for the students teaching aids and to makethroughout the year. Some of www.lxl.inthe activities that the studentsindulge in are:• International Award for YoungPeople – Is the experientiallearning platform for kids,wherein the Jodhamal studentgoes to the adopted villageIsmailpur Kothe (BishnahTehsil) of Jammu District,interacting and working neckto neck with their counter-parts in the society. Ourstudents are also contributingto create awareness amongthe people for conservation ofwater, energy, heath and birthcontrol.• International Studies23

Innovation Council for having successfully students may be prepared forHow has the teaching learning mentored around 8-10 schools challenges of tomorrow?process changed from your times in Jammu to make them better. We have introduced storytellingto now or a decade ago to now? We have adopted 3 government and various creative forms ofHow do you/ the school meet schools and 8 teachers go to presentation from the initialthe current needs of students these schools on Saturdays to classes itself. Students come upconsidering the area Jammu is share knowledge, best practices with unique ideas and conceptsvery disturbed? etc. This is a public-private for presentation. Also, I feel it isWe have all kinds of facilities partnership among schools. In very important to foster creativity.at Jodhamal and ensure that that respect we are really looking We are killing the child’s creativitystudents are nurtured with at a very bright scenario. by telling him/her this is right andcare. Smart classes have What is the one thing that this is wrong. As a principal, Ibeen introduced long back you would like to/are trying to really look forward to bringingand are used religiously. Our introduce in the school blending this change and give freedom toschool is the only school with with the latest trends so that children to express themselvesan international award by British freely. Creativity and imagination of the child must be catered to more closely by educators for I feel that it is extremely important. Today the teacher-student relationship has become very commercial and involves a give and take relationship Pedagogy Your experiences of working with RTE students and inclusiveness?24 www.lxl.in

February 2017I have not done so in Jammu 7QtêtUe-àIC-têKteyet but in the past while I wasin Dehradun, I remember going MENTOR in conversation with Mr. Trilok Singh Bistto villages and interacting withdifferent students. The students I would describe education as…. Your biggest learning from lifethere are really enthusiastic A tool that makes students better has been…and most of them are extremely human beings. Honesty. Be honest and sincerebright. My management was in your work and things will workvery cooperative and I could You’ve been both a teacher and outgive admission to 10 students a principal, which one do youwho were below the poverty enjoy more and why?line. There are a few things in life Being a teacher always. I amthat really matter. I still hear from still a teacher and shall continuesome of these students who are to be so. The love and affectiondoing well in their careers and you get as a teacher is never theremember me occasionally. It is same in case of a principalsuch a satisfying feeling!What are the key values that a What are the 3 qualities thatschool/ institute must instill in schools can/should look atstudents? nurturing in students for them toBeing good human beings- be prepared for tomorrow?Students nowadays have • Skill Developmentbecome extremely carefree with • Value - Based Educationno respect and values. this must • Holistic educationchange.Values and traditions- A school What are the 3 key qualitiesmust leave no stone unturned that educators/teachers mustto ensure the correct values are have/must build to connect withpassed on to students. students today?Building life skills- You can catch • Put your ego asidea fish or give a fish to someone. • Be ready to come down to theIf you teach them how to catcha fish they will never starve. So, level of studentspicking up the skills is more • Be warm and approachableimportant than getting the result/rewards. Give us one technologicalWhat is that one strong belief you advancement in recent timeshave and what is the message that you think has changed theyou would like to give to fellow way in which children learn. Whyeducators/ institutions in the is it important?making? Virtual Reality. I feel thatLove your children. For any promotes imagination andteacher, this is of utmost thought along with creativity.importance. I am still a teacher What is that one quality thatand take economics lessons for will make students stand outgrades 11 and 12. tomorrow?It is important to connect with Originality and creative thought.students and teaching is the Divergent thinking must bebest way that it can be done. nurtured.Just love your students andlearn how to adapt and learncontinuously.25 [email protected]

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP STOCWHOAORDL SLESAUDSETARISNHAIPBLE Ms. Indira Subramanian The landscape of educational When examined in the Indian leadership has witnessed context, with our nation’s greatMs. Indira Subramanian has the germination of many complexities, diversities andbeen in the education space popular terms such as “moral sheer magnitude of numbers,for more than 15 years. This leadership”, “transformational effective leadership in aexperience includes teaching, leadership”, “instructional knowledge society/economycurriculum development and leadership” and more recently, requires tremendous energy,designing of educational “inclusive leadership”. In courage and the ability tomaterials for children. She is the each of these dimensions, innovate. It therefore does notauthor of Landmark, a series the role of the school head is come as much of a surpriseof integrated Social Science instrumental in catalysing the that there are few school headstextbooks for Class 6, 7 and 8 various aspects that play a role who can galvanise schoolspublished by Oxford University in teaching-learning and student into being centres of highPress. She has also authored the achievement. quality learning for all children,Teacher Manuals of the Social thereby reinforcing Collins andScience series - Time, Space A school Porras’ prescient claim that “alland People for Class 6, 7 and 8 coordinator is leaders, however charismatic orpublished by Oxford University often relegated to visionary, eventually die”. (BuiltPress. She is currently Head of an administrative to Last: Successful habits ofContent Development at The liaison fulfilling Visionary Companies, Collins,JTeacher Foundation, Bengaluru largely bureaucratic and Porras,G: 2002)where she is responsible for the tasks necessitated This makes a strong case forconceptualization and design of by the large investment in a cohort of welltraining material and its delivery. trained, rigourously mentoredShe has been the Project Head numbers and reflective practioners, whoof the Cambridge International can lead schools with a sense ofDiploma for Teachers and Recent scholarship and intent and purpose. These futureTrainers (CIDTT) and she also research has made a convincing leaders are not born; neither willoversees Teach Now, an online stake for the world’s current they emerge merely from thealternative teacher preparation status to be described as a ranks of experienced teachers.and development programme knowledge society. Knowledge It is more likely that they will berecognised by the Department of economies are described as forged through concerted andEducation in Washington DC and being driven by “creativity and focussed attempts at providingArizona, USA. She brings a sound ingenuity”. In fact, knowledge real life leadership experiencesunderstanding of classroom societies are regarded as and in embedding a culturepractice and school research “force of growth and prosperity” of sustainable leadership into her work and in this article but also of “increasing social schools. Various attemptsfor MENTOR, Ms. Subramanian instablity” and “mounting to build levels of leadershipshares how teacher coordinators insecurity” and schools have through designations such ascould be encouraged to become to prepare young people for “coordinators”, “level heads”,future school leaders. both. (Teaching in a Knowledge “section leaders” and the like Society, Hargreaves,A: 2003) have fallen woefully short of this26 desired intention. www.lxl.in

In the current milieu, a school How can we therefore groom February 2017coordinator is often relegated school coordinators as a part of a So, perhaps, here are someto an administrative liaison movement towards “sustainable ways to begin this process:fulfilling largely bureaucratic educational leadership”? A Instituting a Culture of Coaching:tasks necessitated by the good place to begin would be to Research tells us that Coachinglarge numbers that make understand the term itself, stated plays a significant role init impossible for any direct as “the capacity of a system acquiring, honing and masteringinteraction between teachers to engage in the complexities new skills, behaviours orand the senior leadership team. of continuous improvement tasks. One of the far-reachingTherefore, at the very onset, the consistent with deep values consequences of coachingcoordinator is not visualised as of human purpose” (Fullan, M: especially for emerging leadersa future/emergent school leader Leadership & Sustainability: is that it provides structuredwho requires competencies to System Thinkers in Action, opportunities for them tobe developed and honed at 2005). Much like its counterpart practise and engage with thebest, or requires some basic in the environment and in the demands of school leadershipintroduction into the nature of corporate world, it is seen as one through a constructive dialogictheir responsibilities at least. which “preserves deep learning process and feedback. It alsoMost coordinators who go on for all that spreads and lasts in helps in shaping a sharedto assume school headship ways that do no harm to and and collective belief systempositions tend to “stumble” into indeed create positive benefit about whole school culture,leadership and by and large for others around us, now and in policies and processes throughlearn on the job. (Now, imagine the future.” (Hargreaves, A and conversations which is often notif the same were to be the case Fink, D: Sustainable Leadership: given its importance it deserves.for a surgeon, an architect or a 2005). Co-constructing Belief and Valuepilot!) Systems: How often have we come across schools where leadership transition is greeted with a nostalgic memory about an older core team that remained faithful to the “school culture” but which has now been diluted with the new order? One of the reasons for this is that the core team often does not tend to co- opt and invest in the emergent generation through a shared27 www.lxl.in

and co-constructed belief and managerial functions involving emergent leader for the topvalue system that is integral for implementation and compliance. job, it is vital for us to establishsustainable school leadership. the fundamental purpose ofFocussing on the Essential School coordinators schools – and that is as aFunctions of Leadership: can adopt more place for learning. Every singleLeithwood et al suggest that act in schools needs to beeffective leadership is about leadership functions consciously evaluated in termsdirection and influence, and involving setting of its impact on learning andstability and change have of direction and this needs to be internalized ata synergetic relationship every level, especially for young(Leithwood et al, Successful influence rather than and emerging leaders. It is tooSchool Leadership What It Is just undertaking easy to get carried away byand How It Influences Pupil managerial “trappings and appearances” ofLearning: 2006). It is worth functions school leadership and lose sightthinking about how School of the overall core reason whyCoordinators can adopt more Understanding the Purpose of schools exist.leadership functions involving Schools: There is a large body ofsetting of direction and influence In order to truly prepare an scholarship and researchrather than just undertaking available not just on leadership but on educational leadership,28 all of which attest to myriad attributes, traits and functions of successful leaders. But common to of this is the recognition that leaders are change agents who must carry out their functions with enthusiasm, empathy and hope. As Hargreaves compellingly points out, “professional learning... is an individual obligation as well as an institutional right” (Hargreaves, A: 2003). And unless there is an investment in building, mentoring and developing leadership, we cannot hope for the change revolution that we are in dire need for! [email protected]

INNOVATION GO DIGITAL Mr. Anand AchyutMr. Anand Achyut is Founder We are living in exciting times Learning your course materialand CEO at Wonderslate where lot of innovations are is not restricted to classroom orTechnologies, Bengaluru. He is happening and its application the textbooks anymore. Therepassionate about the practical is fast entering the digital are lot of online resources likeapplications of technology education setup. Going digital Khan’s academy, Courserain the field of education. is the trend across the fields not where subject matter can beHe started his corporate life just in education. It is therefore learnt by watching videos andin Novell and moved on to important for the students to attempting the quizzes/testsbecome the Global Head for IT be equipped with right skills to given. Learning the subjectin another organization. With handle and benefit from this. from multiple sources willover 20 years of experience in help the student get a deeperbuilding enterprise applications, In this article we will explore understanding of the subject.e-procurement systems, in detail, the skills required bydistributed computing, software students to effectively use and There are online tools which thesecurity, information risk benefit from technology. The student can use to create theirmanagement, data analytics skills required can be broadly own quizzes or buy tests on aand architecting bespoke classified into four groups. given topic. These will help inclient applications, he started • Better learning using digital practising the lesson they haveMithri Technologies, running learnt and improve in retentionsuccessfully till date. In technology when required. Some of thesethis article for MENTOR, he • Knowledge based skills tools provide analytics which willdiscusses how educators • Security skills help the student to know howensure that students are • Etiquette in digital space they are performing and whereequipped with the right skills to Now let us delve deeper into they can improve.use technology. them… Some of the technologies that will become part of our learning Better learning using digital experience in near future are technology • Digital smart textbooks. The basic aim of any digital • Augmented reality. education platform is to support • Analytics and Adaptive and empower better learning. learning. • 3D printing. • Real time gamification and collaboration Knowledge based skills Knowledge based skills are the ones in which one learns to use technology used in the real world. These skills form a basic requirement for any kind of job that involves technology, to research or build new things. Some of these skills are Basic programming skills29 www.lxl.in

-Programming is no more Collaboration tools - to create unique, randomrestricted to engineering Collaborating with others is passwords and to end thestudents. There is a growing one of the most effective ways insecure practice of usingunderstanding that knowing to get work done and think the same login credentials inhow to program is essential, outside the box, whether you multiple places. A passwordespecially for the younger are a teacher or a student. The manager will keep track ofgenerations. Learning facts is online collaboration tools will online accounts, audit yourless and less relevant in a world enable students to communicate passwords and store securewhere Google can satisfy just and collaborate fast and easily. notes.about any question in a matter of Some of the popular online • Install antivirus and firewallmilliseconds; it is skills that will collaboration tools are Google applications.enable children to succeed, and drive, Podio, Titanpad etc. • Do not open the attachmentsthose set of skills must include you receive online from theprogramming. Here are some of When interacting people you do not know.the reasons. on online forums • Do not post any personal- Programming is a basic literacy like e-mail, chats or information online – like yourin the digital age. discussion forum address, email address or- Programming can change the there is a certain mobile number.world. etiquette that needs • Think carefully before posting- You have an idea for the next to be followed. pictures or videos of yourself.big innovation? Great. You can Once you have put a picturebring it to life. Security Skills of yourself online most people While the digital/online platform can see it and may be able toInternet Search - Students need is a great place to learn, it comes download it, and hence it isto know how to do a proper with its own set of challenges. not just yours anymore.internet search, using search By learning few tricks and • Keep your privacy settings asterms and modifiers. This skill following certain rules, students high as possibleis essential for school, work and can successfully face these • Never give out your passwordslife in general. The little time challenges. • Do not befriend people you dospent in educating oneself in • Use a password manager not knowlearning this skill, will save a lot • Do not meet up with peopleof time in doing any research you have met online. Speak toor when looking for a specific your parent/teacher about it.information.Office Suite Skills - Students www.lxl.inneed to know how tocreate, edit, and modifydocuments, presentations, andspreadsheets. Businesses stilluse MS Office for most part, butiWorks, OpenOffice / LibreOffice,and Google Docs are all gettingmore popular. They all worksimilarly and hence the learningcurve when switching is not thatbig.Self learning of technology andwhere to go for help - Knowinghow to search through the helpmenu on a software or hardware,where to go to find user forumsfor help, and where to find themanual for technology is a hugeskill that many may not know.30

February 2017 • Yes, grammar and spelling matter. While texting, ‘textspeak can b gr8 4 ur friends.’ In an educational setting (even online) however, keep it formal. Your written communication should be professional and reflect proper writing style. Save written shortcuts and less than stellar grammar for Snapchat if you must, but follow grammar rules for school.• Remember that not everyone • Be aware of strong language, • Cite your sources. Whenever online is who they say they are all caps, and exclamation you are sharing an idea that points. It is easy for written originated from someone else• If you see something text to be misread and (even if it is not word for word), online that makes you feel misunderstood. Have you it is a good practice to cite uncomfortable, unsafe or ever sent a text message with that source. This applies to worried: leave the website, good intent but your recipient discussion forums too. If you turn off your computer if you thought you were being read a great thought in your want to and tell a trusted adult rude? If so, then you have text, share it, but be sure you immediately. experienced this firsthand. let your audience know where By being cognizant of strong you saw it first.Online Etiquette language, you can identifyWhen interacting on online potential confusions before • Do not post or share (evenforums like e-mail, chats or sending messages. Tip: Read privately) inappropriatediscussion forum there is a everything out loud before you material. Enough said there.certain etiquette that needs to be send it. Nothing is truly private online.followed. This not only keeps thecordial interactions happening • Be careful with humor and • Be forgiving. Remember thatbut also avoids unnecessary sarcasm. Certainly you should not everyone will know theseissues that can arise. not avoid being funny. We love rules before posting. Try to be• Be respectful. While it is easier to see your personality shine understanding of others when through in online classes. they struggle with written to say hurtful or disrespectful Many of our teachers are communication. It is very things without standing face- exceptionally funny too. But different than simply talking to-face with someone, it is like mentioned in Rule #2, to a person face-to-face. important to remember that make sure that it is clear your classmates and teachers you are being funny and not Some references that can be useful in learning are real people who are being rude. Emoticons and these skills: affected by the words you say smileys can be helpful when To learn programming and write. It is essential to conveying humor or sarcasm https://code.org/ keep in mind the feelings and so that it is read correctly. Just https://www.edutopia.org/blog/teach-kids- opinions of others, even if they remember to keep the smiley coding-resources-parents-matt-davis differ from your own. If you faces away from academic Search tips and tricks would not say so to someone’s papers. https://support.google.com/websearch/ face, do not say it online either. answer/134479?hl=en h t t p : / / w w w. l i f e h a c k . o r g / a r t i c l e s / technology/20-tips-use-google-search- efficiently.html Online Etiquette https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/7- rules-to-teach-kids-online-etiquette http://achievevirtual.org/7-rules-for-online- etiquette/ Online Security https://staysafeonline.org/stop-think-connect/ tips-and-advice http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/0/2125941331 [email protected]

MENTOR THOUGHTS TSHKEILLINSNPOEVDAATGIVOEGYLIFE Ms. Prachi MisraMs. Prachi Misra is a researcher Why an Innovative Pedagogy? could form the foundation of lifeat LXL Ideas Pvt. Ltd. How fast are we able to recollect skills education for the promotionBangalore. She holds a Masters the story when a popular film is of mental well-being, and healthydegree in Women’s Studies from mentioned? Is this recollection interaction and behaviour. MoreTata Institute of Social Sciences, as prompt when a specific problem specific skills, suchMumbai and Honors in Political school topic is stated? How as assertively dealing withScience from Lady Sri Ram many lectures do we remember peer pressures etc. could beCollege, University of Delhi. from our school days? built on this foundation. There Research in the K-12 education are research indications thatMs. Misra has worked on domain (pedagogy) reveals teaching skills in this way, asvarious research based policy that more than 60% of the part of broad-based life skillsadvocacy projects focused human population comprises programmes, is an effectiveon the gender dynamics of of visual learners. A typical approach for primary preventionlivelihood, life-skills education, quality of these learners is the education (Errecart et al., 1991;climate change and agricultural ability to process and interpret Perry and Kelder, 1992; Caplaneconomy. Her primary research information for a longer period et al., 1992 in Kumar et al.,2015)interest and prior publications upon exposure to images, Non-linguistic representationsrevolve around issues involving illustrations and motion pictures. in the form of visuals have afeminist perspectives of life Another unique attribute of visual lasting impact on the learner. Inskills education, environment, learners is the ability to think the past decade, cinema hasreligion and popular culture. in pictures, thus excelling in emerged as a nuanced mediumShe was also an editorial comprehension and articulation. of communication, used forcolumnist for The Lucknow However, despite the dominance myriad purposes. Research inTribune and Head Editor for of visual learners, the pedagogy this domain indicates that useScintilla Magazine initiated by of classroom instruction is of media on a day to day basisMedical Students Association predominantly auditory. eventually leads to influencingof India (2015-16). As an The conventional instructional children’s perceptions (Chawlaeducation management teaching methods are not 2005; Gahlaut 2005).consultant, she has worked with conducive for impactful life skills Since films are a great mediummultiple non-profit organizations based education. The traditional to express and communicateon establishing monitoring and ‘moral science’ or ‘value thoughts and feelings across allevaluation systems for life-skills education’ classes are primarily age groups, life skills pedagogytraining modules. This article lecture based and therefore, can effectively utilize the impact(the second in the trilogy) for not engaging for the students. of this medium. Various studiesMENTOR explores life skills Hence, innovation in pedagogy have indicated that stories whichpedagogy through the powerful is essential to increase student have memorable characters,medium of cinema highlighting learning outcomes. clever plots, and universalSchool Cinema as a successful Teaching life skills as generic themes help to lay the foundationand innovative intervention. skills in relation to everyday life for a lifetime of pleasurable and successful reading encounters (Lamme, 1987; Newman, 1985).32

February 2017What is School Cinema? Thus, each grade has a distinct for School Cinema. UnlikeSchool Cinema uses the visual module with ten movies for commercial cinema, this processmode of imparting life skills students, one film for teachers was focused at connectingeducation through a film-based and one film for parents. The with the consumers of the filmslearning curriculum for children, films deal with values, life skills, through the value and messageparents and educators. The self-development, environment, leading to stimulation of thought,films module is supported by social skills, adolescent ideas and discussion.interactive workbooks that education, citizenship and Kenny Basumatary, director offurther reinstate the life skills, national integration. ‘Myna and Asterix’ (film for classvalues and attitudes. Content of 6 on learning the value of money)the workbooks is developed in Since films are and ‘Fight It Right’ (film for classaccordance with the formative a great medium 10 on anger management) said,and summative CCE assessment to express and “Not only I had a great time, butguidelines (Continuous and also learned quite a lot from theComprehensive Evaluation) with communicate scripting stage itself. Discussingan aim to evaluate the students’ thoughts and ideas and particular lines ofthinking, emotional and social feelings across all dialogues further enhancedskills along with values and age groups, life my understanding of severalattitudes. skills pedagogy can concepts. The TV episodes I effectively utilize direct are disposable watch-Extensive research is conducted the impact of this and-forget entertainment, butfor the School Cinema module the School Cinema films aredevelopment. Surveys are medium. influential for thousands ofused as the primary tool to Distinctive Experience of Making young minds. I owed it to thearrive at topics, issues and a School Cinema Film team to deliver a product I couldchallenges faced by children. A case study involving in depth be proud of - a film that wouldThis information is collected interviews was conducted inform and be entertaining at thefrom children, parents, by LXL Ideas to outline same time.” Both the films haveteachers, counselors and other the distinctive features of been featured and awarded instakeholders. Focused group School Cinema. Selected via International Film Festivals likediscussions are held with purposive sampling, primary Chicago International Children’sgroups of children, parents, respondents in this study were Film Festival, Seattle Children’steachers and counsellors to 4 filmmakers of School Cinema Film Festival.map prevalent issues that need movies. During the interviews, Kate Chaillat’s film, ‘Too Coolto be addressed through life- filmmakers unanimously agreed for School’ addresses the issueskills sessions. Post analysis, upon a sense of responsibility of peer pressure in the class 8the most relevant and common experienced by them in theissues or topics are shortlisted. process of making films33

module. “I had a story in mind film with children and teenagers. Scope for innovation in life skillswhich spoke to my younger Creating a film for school cinema pedagogy is immense as thisteenage self. School Cinema was a collaborative experience. domain has garnered attentiongave me the opportunity to make Compared to making a short in past decade. Leveraging onthat happen. The hero in my story film it was interesting to be able visual mode of cinema ensuresBen, internalizes the pressure he to bounce back ideas with the effective learning outcomes forfeels to the point that he thinks creative team.” students in the long run. Schoolhis head is growing bigger. As a School Cinema’s teacher and Cinema’s unique process is ateenager one tends to be locked parent films have been awarded groundbreaking interventionin one’s own perceptions of self, and recognized in the film in existing pedagogical tools.making it harder to see how fraternity across the globe. Modules like these can beothers may be feeling. It was Supavitra Babul, director of scaled up and further improvisedimportant for me to show in this teachers’ film ‘I Say, Bhallaji!’ and integrated for not just lifeway that peer pressure is as states that working with School skills education but also inmuch about the group of peers Cinema has revived a certain the core subjects’ classroomas it is about the individuals’ patience and helped her follow instruction. Next article in theperception of that pressure”, discipline of the script in an all- pedagogy series will furthersays Kate while discussing the new grammar. “There was a huge discuss this aspect, elaboratingapproach adopted to convey the experiential difference in terms on the teachers’ response to themessage through the film. of pace of work, temperament, module. objectives and processes. It wasReminiscing on how this was more disciplined and focused. I Referencesdifferent from working on any was motivated towards making Ghasemian, A., & Kumar, G. V. (2015). Theother film project Kate said, a film for School Cinema since I Effectiveness of Imparting and Reviewing Life“School Cinema makes films have been a part of feature films Skills Education in Iran and Indian Educationalwith a purpose and an audience for children earlier and feel that System: Opportunities and Challenges.in mind which is a challenge in films in the form of edutainment International Journal of Psychology anditself, but they also give you are more effective than pure Psychiatry, 3(2), 130-138.the freedom to explore creative academics”, says Supavitra. Giddings, L. R. (1991). Literature‐basedways to put your ideas into the Way Forward reading instruction: An analysis. Literacyfilm. Before making this film for Research and Instruction, 31(2), 18-30.I had never felt like making aTo subscribe or to contribute articles please contactMENTOR MAGAZINE NO. OF COPIES 2 YEARS (24 ISSUES + 6 3 YEARS (36 ISSUES# 175, 2nd Cross, Lower Palace COMPLIMENTARY) +9 COMPLIMENTARY)Orchards, Bengaluru - 560 003Email: [email protected] 1 Rs. 1000/- Rs. 1500/-Website: www.lxl.inPhone: +91 90191 11110 2 Rs. 1750/- Rs. 2500/-34 5 Rs. 4000/- Rs. 5500/- *Prices inclusive of postage charges To download subscription form - www.lxl.in [email protected]