Category: Comment

Taking play seriously

Indira Subramanian
In the Indian school context, play has been relegated to the sidelines, as a pedagogy of learning. So how can the principles of play be given a more central role in schooling? This article gives a few tips on how teachers can foster playful learning in their classroom.

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The strength of ideas

Brendan MacCarthaigh
When students have to face a nightmare called exams, it is up to the teacher to help them face their ordeal in a less frightening way. Teachers can motivate the students to look at it as an adventure or even as a challenge which they need to overcome and that it requires just that bit of extra practice and preparation.

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Say “Hola” to Spanish

Subhas Yadav
Tired of teaching or learning French and German? Try Spanish which is fast emerging as the most popular second language at international and elite CBSE schools. Here’s a look at where the language stands in the knowledge market.

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The long, grey road

Brendan MacCarthaigh
When asked to share their dreams for the future, students of class XII had nothing to say to their teacher, almost admitting to the fact that they had no dreams at all. Is this lack of interest due to the education system which does not seem to inspire, but has everything to do with acquiring marks? Who has the answers?

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The world according to textbooks

Shree Singh
The pen is mightier than the sword and a picture speaks a thousand words. Shouldn’t we then be a little more careful when printing textbooks? We must remember that sometimes textbooks are the only reading material that children may have and they can create strong impressions. Let us be mindful and tell children that a woman too can fly an aeroplane and a man can be a hair stylist.

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Don't always go by the book!

Nimesh Ved

The textbook is still the ultimate authority for some teachers and students. When there is so much of trust placed upon the textbook you’d believe them to be error-free and passing on the right knowledge. But with some textbooks that doesn’t seem to be the case. It is important that we debate and discuss how textbooks are written and how we can improve them.

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Don’t always go by the book!

Nimesh Ved

The textbook is still the ultimate authority for some teachers and students. When there is so much of trust placed upon the textbook you’d believe them to be error-free and passing on the right knowledge. But with some textbooks that doesn’t seem to be the case. It is important that we debate and discuss how textbooks are written and how we can improve them.

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Making school data work for teachers

Payal Jain and Sapna Saleem
Schools produce an immense amount of data every month and every year. This data can be used constructively by teachers and facilitators. For instance, the data received after an examination can help a school principal to identify the trends in the performance of the students. An in- depth analysis of this data can helpthe school leader to identify the teaching and learning gaps in the students. Schools, therefore need to ensure that teachers see data as another useful tool, how it can be used and what insights it provides.

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CBSE examination reforms: returning to the Stone Age?

Jagdeep Singh More

CBSE’s decision to make class 10 exams compulsory with immediate effect has been welcomed by some but has raised questions for many. This decision by the CBSE nullifies the all round efforts to implement CCE and brings back 19th century reforms that assess students only on the basis of their written exam. With the knowledge that different students learn differently quite common now, how intelligent is this move by the board?

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Indian Education in urgent need of rebooting

Jose Puthenpurackel, SDB

The world is advancing at a fast pace, but our education system is stuck in history. With everything else around us is changing, the education system too needs an overhaul to produce competent individuals who can succeed in life tomorrow.

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