Is Technology a Blessing in Teaching

 

Technology vs Chalk Board -Expression on Paper

 Figure-Chalk Board

 When I was small we were given lot of emphasis on writing.There used to be

 competition in school about good writing at primary level.Every lesson was  taught 

with use of chalk board. There were no computers and lap top in our times. Every

 subject for learning involved lot of practice on paper.  We used to write notes of 

every subject on paper.

 Figure-Student standing near chalk board with mobile phone doing academic discussions.

 Now students are equipped with smart phones,lap tops,ipads,desk tops and 

availbilty of internet is almost 24 hours. One observes that digitization has

 decreased students concentration levels:. According to  one study, spending too

 much time on digital platforms including social media can result in a lack of focus

 and concentration. To reap the benefits of digitization and continue to benefit from

 using writing tools for self-expression, individuals need to marry the two methods

 to enhance cognitive processes.

 Classrooms have become more technologically friendly.  Students

 dependence on  technology   has increased so much that some

 time I find  that many of my students struggle when trying to 

complete school work without any digital aid. 

Moral of story is to increase student analytical power, educators should

 use mix mode to teach. Educator should use black board,chalk board to

 derive important points of lecture, for experimental demonstrations one can

 take help of video presentation. Friends all this I am writing from my own

 experience. This mixed mode of teaching help students take notes in class. 

They are always active and alert.Class room is always charged with positive 

energy. Teacher and taught both take best benefit from mix modes of teaching.

https://www.milansagar.com/art/sukarma_thareja/sukarma_thareja.html 

Sukarma Thareja

Alumnus IITK

India

Win Win Situation

 

We had parent teachers association(PTA) in school.Its goal was to help students .Presence of parents in meeting  helped teachers in solving students personal problems.

As a parent and a teacher, we teachers were sometimes surprised at how many parents seem to take little to no interest in what or how their kids are doing in school, as well as how many parents push their children towards independence too early, for the sake of their own convenience .

We teachers were clear that if ones child is under age 10, and if parents can’t name a single thing their child learned in school this month, parents are not doing a good job as a parents. We all teachers agreed   that its okay if parents are not able to help kids with their homework (although it would be nice), but at least ask their child what they’re doing in school.

When students are ages 11–14. The older ones are pretty independent, but the younger ones still need a lot of guidance. Yet I’ve had 11-year-old students whose parents just didn’t seem to care what their kid was doing in school. Emails to the parents would be read but not responded to. Phone calls would go un returned. Parents looked bored in PTA, or never looked up from their phone in the PTA, or just never came to the PTA.

 

 

 

 We teachers some time get annoyed as some children .  were consistently late, hadn’t eaten, were unprepared, and looked like they just rolled out of bed. The kids weren’t home alone. The parents were there . Parents thought their kid was independent enough to get themselves ready and to school consistently every morning.

Many time we teachers were to buy lunches for students who had none. When teachers talked to the parents about it during PTA, some parents just said that the child was responsible for packing their own lunch every day. That’s fine… there’s nothing wrong with a kid that age being responsible… but we teachers used to  request , please parents  supervise your kid to make sure it’s done right.

We teachers used to feel sad for kids and always requested parents that kids are long term commitment ,but many parents will not understand the same.We were fortunate there were many good teachers in school.We collectively helped many students and we teachers found students  improved a lot.

Moral of story is that we as parents should help our kids as much as required.But parent must learn  with help of teacher, where to draw line that parent is not required to help, and how much a help kid requires.When cooperation of parents is extended to teacher that will be good to teacher,parents and students.That will be win win situation for parents,teachers and student.

Sukarma Thareja

Alumnus IITK

India

Are You Helping in Secure Childhood of Nation?

I was teaching in primary school.teaching kids of 5-8 years is lot of fun. I had a student Asha very cute one.But some how she looked stressed out. I tried to inquire from Asha why it is so. From our interactive healthy conversation I came to know Asha has abusive father.My student Asha was growing up in an environment of constant threat, constant burdens, heavy burdens that influence Ashas  everyday function.I started reading about same and found that under constant fear  the stress system is activated excessively. It produces what we call toxic stress, and that disrupts the development of brain circuits during their critical periods. It disrupts the cardiovascular system. It disrupts the immune system and creates the foundation for a greater risk for a whole host of physical and mental health problems and difficulties and learning.That really made me great concern toward dear Asha.

I talked to our principal madam.Principal madam fixed zoom meeting with Asha's mother and requested  mother to help the child.Principal told mother that early experiences of childhood literally shape child's biology, create either a strong or a weak foundation for all the health, learning, and behavior that follow for a lifetime. I as class teacher was trying my best to make Asha happy and playful in school.

 Children Credit-Counter Currents.Org

There were students like Suman, Rekha, Rakesh whose parents were responsive, warm, sensitive, that is why these children were doing well in every activity of school.Their language development was good and they had secure attachment to their parents.

 The expression of warmth could differ across cultures, but I found there were parents who smile a lot and would demonstrate positive affect towards their babies. Their children had positive social developmental outcomes.There were students in my class who got negative experiences, because of exposure to family violence, chronic and harsh parenting, maltreatment, this threatens secure attachment of children and consequently   later social development of children were limited.

Unfortunately in India  our health sector will always look at child survival, they will look at immunization rates but they will not look at holistic development in sense that is their language, social-emotional development.

Moral of story is parents should give happy and secure childhood to their children.If parents are not able to do so, they are neither helping children nor society in development.

Sukarma Thareja

Alumnus IITK

India

Journey-Rama to Krishna. - Dream

 

https://www.oshoarena.com/rama-and-krishna/

Scientist journey Rama to Krishna

There was summer vacation in my college. This time when I was off from my teaching duty I was trying to summarise results which I and my able students  got from science problem on which we were working for last one year.

Certainly it was best time for me to read some spiritual books also. This reading assignment gave me very precious results on my mind soul welfare. At the same time I was eagerly waiting for my son Ashok to come home, who was on his assignment abroad.

At night while I was in sleep I had dream that I am taking to my son Ashok. I am listing the same below.

Mom-I am so proud son! that you are on the path, of becoming a eminent research scientist. How are things otherwise dear Ashok.

Son-  Mom I am fine. It seems to me while in river of scientific knowledge boat, I do come across banks of evil, like war between nations. I wish to go towards divine shore, mom there are   clouds and rain in my journey. But it is such a pleasant surprise mom, I do get   wisdom in scientific life, between pleasure and pain.

Mom-son! as everything works because of science, please don’t slow down, your gain in pace, of scientific knowledge. With your scientific aptitude it is good you are enjoying teaching and learning every science concept with intentions good like lord Rama. Son please Keep active your drives and urge, for invention in science that’s what I sincerely wish for you.

Son- mom! in this auspicious journey, I have began to accept my deficiency,

I know good teachers, scientist and mentors to some length can hold their student and co -worker hand. I have also learnt mom! one cannot lean longer to anyone, If one wishes to climb in field of science success ladder.

Mom-  son! please remember materialistic presents are not promises. Your hard work with dedication is path best for scientific progress. Son! please do accept your short comings, with your head up and open eyes.

Son-Mom!  I have learnt mom that too much shine sun in my endeavour of science can some time give me deep skin burn. So mom!  I am trying my best to build my own roads, to get scientific success.

Mom-son! plant your own scientific garden by decorating your soul like lord Krishna,  teaching in Shrimad Bhagvad Gita.

Son- mom, in scientific projects I learn and, apply every science concept in depth, Which endure me and make me strong.

Mom-son! basic mantra is to learn, learn and learn and make others learn with good intentions. With every good bye to scientific project executed, in between please do observe silence and introspect my son !.

Son! I am so happy in learning- teaching journey faithfully you tried your best, to live your life imitating lord Rama, and in process you have evolvedyourself  as promising eminent scientist.

Son- mom! I wish I could inspire love- scientific knowledge truth, among masses more and light path which leads our youth For future brightness.

 Mom now I am moving towards,  evening of my scientific life.  I wish I could follow teachings of Gita-Shrimad Bhagvad.  I am trying to imitate lord Krishna in scientific and personal life, forming good policies for scientific world, making serious efforts to fight for peace- humanity.

Mom -yes son! I am old now, but when I look back I am so happy about your scientific Journey -  a process,  started with imitating lord Rama, observing science dharama  Which will remain incomplete till it ends, in lord Krishna-who sought adharama, destroyed it and established dharma ( mindful observation). I am sure son! with your honest efforts you will, be successful in completing your call, A mission-full of endeavours- scientific- journey.

Suddenly I could hear chirping of birds in my ears. Oh! my God I was doing fruitful scientific spiritual conversation with my son Ashok in my dream. I thanked God for same and soon realised science will be able to explain process of dream very soon I suppose. It was time to get up since it was morning---but whole day I was engrossed in my conversation with my son which was in dream---

 

 

Dr Sukarma Rani Thareja,

Associate Professor-Retired

CSJM University

Alumnus IIT-K-1986,Ph.D(Chemistry)

KANPUR ,UP

INDIA

Pl read-

https://www.amazon.in/Science-Life-Nature-Collection-Foreword-ebook/dp/B072Q3DDR7

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q3DDR7;

ASIN: B072Q3DDR7

2.https://www.amazon.com/Making-Science-Easy-Poetry-Collection-ebook/dp/B09777MG33