Page 46 – Teacher Plus

Figuring out what’s (not) working

Usha Raman
While there has always been a learning gap in our country, the pandemic has only served to deepen the divide. Though enrollment in schools has increased and drop out rates have declined, teacher shortages, absenteeism and poor infrastructure continue to pose severe problems. So what is really happening inside our schools? The Annual State of Education Report (ASER), that is produced every year by Pratham gives us an insight into the issue. It helps us look at the macro picture and provides evidence as to where and why the learning gap exists.

The ‘feeling’ economy

Neerja Singh
The advent of social media has seemingly connected people around the world, but there is a huge chasm in relationships across all sections of people. There is a sense of belonging to everywhere but nowhere really. According to projections, the knowledge economy is in a state of decline and the next big shift will be towards the ‘feeling’ economy. Here skills will be around building teams, establishing interpersonal relationships, motivating and caring for others. How prepared are people to face this and is their emotional wellness or quotient a notch higher?

ASER – Shifting the narrative from schooling to learning

Vignesh Krishnan, Ngawang Lhakey and Isha Thakur
The Annual State of Education Report (ASER) is a nationwide household survey conducted to assess the reading and arithmetic levels of children from over 15000 villages across the country. Started and led by Pratham, a non-governmental organisation over two decades ago, it is one of the most significant initiatives ever carried out to assess the learning levels of children. Over time, it has shaped the nationwide discourse on learning outcomes and the impact on children in India. ASER’s assessment and sampling tools are reliable and scientific and hold a mirror to the learning levels of children. The Cover Story in this issue is based on ASER’s journey over the years as well as an interview with Dr. Rukmini Banerji who was instrumental in shaping and setting up the ASER centre.

A framework for a ‘breadth of skills’

Likhitha and Priyanka Rambol

Digital natives v/s digital immigrants: Bridging the gap

Sanjhee Gianchandani
This article explores how educators can bridge the technological gap between ‘digital natives’ and ‘digital immigrants’ and reach out to their students, using technology in remarkably simple yet impactful ways. It delves deep into the need to use technology, provides age-group appropriate caveats, and also offers simple ideas to enhance teaching using technological tools in order to create an informed and engaged cohort of learners.

Literature in the language classroom

Sreya Rakshit
A literary text can open up whole new vistas for children in a language classroom because it gives them a chance to engage with ideas of inequality, emotions, gender, justice, integrity or even friendship without any sense of discomfort. In this article, the author explains how one such literary text, Dear Mrs. Naidu, helped her students reflect on various dense subjects.

Neither winning nor losing the debate

Nupur Rastogi
At one time, debating among school students was a practice that encouraged healthy competition. But in recent times, with the world experiencing a plethora of conflicts, there is an urgent need to help students focus on the process of debating which is to understand the conflict and better ways to deal with it. The article presents an alternative of ‘Structured Academic Controversy’ that encourages participants to look beyond rigid beliefs and positions.

Turning the pages of history

Chintan Girish Modi
Here is the first children’s book in English that highlights the Chera kingdom and life in Kerala in the 11th century. A wonderful addition to school libraries, the book highlights Kerala’s multiculturalism and explores the matrilineal system that was prevalent in Kerala. An interview with the author gives an insight into the process that went into writing this book.

Rising from the abyss

Gita Nambiar
Board exams can be a stressful experience for students. Teachers need to be extra sensitive during this period and help students stay positive so that this threshold can be crossed with minimal tensions. Any kind of insensitive remarks can pull a child down or demotivate him/her. Instead, exerting the right amount of pressure, giving tips on time management, goal setting etc. will help the child to sail smoothly.

SEL begins with teachers

Bindu Subramaniam
How can teachers get children to be empathetic and kind? It has to be incorporated into everything that they do right from modelling behaviour to encouraging role play or even storytelling. Students who take part in these activities tend to internalise the ideas of kindness and empathy and make them second nature.

Figuring out what’s (not) working

The ‘feeling’ economy

ASER – Shifting the narrative from schooling to learning

A framework for a ‘breadth of skills’

Digital natives v/s digital immigrants: Bridging the gap

Literature in the language classroom

Neither winning nor losing the debate

Turning the pages of history

Rising from the abyss

SEL begins with teachers

Quick Links

Contact Details

Phone

Email

Address