inspiring teachers june 2010

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June 2010 Volume 4, Issue 6 Inspiring Teachers Pic above: Group in a role play at Sevalaya, Kasuva, Near Chennai (2009) Articles this month: Professors Beyond Borders…2 SRISTI….2 Police, Police! ..3 Quotes fwded by KV Jayakumar…sides Openings in DRF’s Pudami Schools…4 EmployAbility 2010 for disabled….6 Interesting links …4 Driving educational change through excellence in teaching The newsletter has a familiar name. Though Sphoorti and Prerana were close contestants from the website poll, and my own favourite was Tea-Time. People who know me, know that I am a tea lover. But this Tea Time was for Teacher Time. But my team felt that it doesn’t convey Editor’s Comments What’s in a name? Reflecting on May 1. A session for teachers attending Principles of Programming workshop at IIIT-H 2. IIIT-Hyderabad has a summer batch of 70 teachers from engineering colleges in AP. A weekly pedagogical session is included along with their CIT program. 3. CfBT-ES invited me to give a few sessions for Principals of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and AP Social Welfare Residential Institutes. 4. After rigorous training, the faculty at NMREC have embarked upon the mammoth task of writing learner oriented objectives and performance criteria for all subjects in all branches and they are doing a good job of it. First step in active learning initiatives. the purpose of the newsletter. So we decided to stick with Inspiring Teachers. Wonder, why it didn’t strike us before! Sometimes, what we are searching for is right in front of us. That’s true in life too. This month has been quite busy with training, review of courses, working on new modules and reaching out to more people. Mrs Indira Narayan’s article on punctuality and some regular dose of inspiring stories of real heroes. Some unusual opportunities for teachers and thought provoking websites, completes this issue. Enjoy and get inspired! These methods work ! We have tried out Learning Through Teaching in Team based learning (in Mech, Textile and IT depts) that was explained in the workshop in Nov 09. This was done for the whole semester and according to a survey conducted after the exercise, almost all students felt that they learnt better, they enjoyed it and they recommended that this mode should be extended to other subjects and should be started in first or second year. Based on this we are refining and expanding this mode of teaching. Prof Suresh Mahajan DKTE's Textile and Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji A heartening feedback from DKTE’s engineering college after using innovative teaching for one semester with a pilot group of final year students. When they called me for the workshop in Nov ’09 they were clear that they will implement a few methods. Congratulations for the courage to change!

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Monthly newsletter sent to school and college teachers

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June 2010

Volume 4, Issue 6 Inspiring Teachers

Pic above: Group in a role play at Sevalaya, Kasuva, Near Chennai (2009)

Articles this

month:

Professors Beyond

Borders…2

SRISTI….2

Police, Police! ..3

Quotes fwded by KV

Jayakumar…sides

Openings in DRF’s

Pudami Schools…4

EmployAbility 2010

for disabled….6

Interesting links …4

Driving educational change through excellence in teaching

The newsletter has a

familiar name. Though

Sphoorti and Prerana were

close contestants from the

website poll, and my own

favourite was Tea-Time.

People who know me, know

that I am a tea lover. But

this Tea Time was for

Teacher Time. But my team

felt that it doesn’t convey

Editor’s Comments – What’s in a name?

Reflecting on May

1. A session for teachers attending

Principles of Programming workshop at IIIT-H

2. IIIT-Hyderabad has a summer batch of 70 teachers from engineering colleges in AP. A weekly pedagogical session is included along with their CIT program.

3. CfBT-ES invited me to give a few sessions for Principals of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and AP Social Welfare Residential Institutes.

4. After rigorous training, the faculty at NMREC have embarked upon the mammoth task of writing learner oriented objectives and performance criteria for all subjects in all branches and they are doing a good job of it. First step in active learning initiatives.

the purpose of the

newsletter. So we

decided to stick with

Inspiring Teachers.

Wonder, why it didn’t

strike us before!

Sometimes, what we are

searching for is right in

front of us. That’s true

in life too.

This month has been

quite busy with training,

review of courses, working on

new modules and reaching

out to more people. Mrs

Indira Narayan’s article on

punctuality and some regular

dose of inspiring stories of

real heroes. Some unusual

opportunities for teachers and

thought provoking websites,

completes this issue. Enjoy

and get inspired!

These methods work !

We have tried out Learning Through Teaching in Team based

learning (in Mech, Textile and IT depts) that was explained in

the workshop in Nov 09. This was done for the whole

semester and according to a survey conducted after the

exercise, almost all students felt that they learnt better, they

enjoyed it and they recommended that this mode should be

extended to other subjects and should be started in first or

second year. Based on this we are refining and expanding

this mode of teaching.

Prof Suresh Mahajan DKTE's Textile and Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji

A heartening feedback from DKTE’s engineering college after using innovative teaching for one semester with a pilot group of final year students. When they called me for the workshop in Nov ’09 they were clear that they will implement a few methods. Congratulations for the courage to change!

Inspiring Teachers Page 2 of 6

Anil Gupta, a professor at the IIM-A has spearheaded the documentation of 1,00,000 ideas of creative individuals scattered all over India. The Honeybee Network reaches out to thousands of grassroot innovators.

It began as a special project

of the Fulbright New

Century Scholars 2009-

2010 focused on water and

sustainable development. As

an independent, non-

governmental network of

academics and

professionals, PBB engage

with real world problems

that impact quality of life in

diverse communities. This

entails problem-based

Professors Beyond Borders

The Professors Beyond

Borders team consists of

academics and professionals

with varied backgrounds

from around the world.

Economists, Engineers,

Scientists, Sociologists…

Who can join

There is no cost and

obligation to join. You can

consider volunteering your

For more details log on to

http://www.professorsbeyondborders.org/

knowledge creation,

innovation, and mapping

expertise to community

needs and ground realities.

The paradigm is that of

Mind to Market or Lab to

Land initiatives.

Dedicated to public health

and a secure global village

for all, they offer academics

of our global community the

ability to organize their

individual experiences and

expertise into a greater effort

wherever there is a need. They

work as volunteers, using

their knowledge to impact

communities by providing

expertise in program

implementation and

effectiveness, as well as

disseminating knowledge of

tools, techniques, technologies

and resources.

time in the summer or for

distinct periods during the

year. PBB will raise funds

for travel funds and

stipends.

The question is not about joining Professors Beyond Borders – but can we do similar

work in India? We have something happening the other way round in India. SRISTI, an

NGO was setup to strengthen the creativity of grassroots inventors, innovators and

ecopreneurs engaged in conserving biodiversity and developing eco-friendly solutions

to local problems.

As you see, PBB believes professors can give solutions to societal problems, SRISTI

believes that solutions have been found and they need to be strengthened. The core

philosophy is to acknowledge the innovator and ensure that good ideas get funding.

SRISTI - society for research and initiatives for sustainable technologies and institutions

See Anil Gupta’s work @

http://www.nif.org.in/

http://www.gian.org/

http://www.sristi.org/

Inspiring TeachersPage 3 of 6

The traffic signals in our

country are a source and a

window to look into the

mindset of people. Many a

times traffic signals have

been violated by various

drivers especially when

they notice that the

Policeman is NOT around.

When they spot the

Khaki/white uniform they

slow down and like good

law abiding citizens wait for

the green signal. Ironic isn’t

it? Should the cop not be

around most people are

happy to ignore the signal

and make their way

through even if meant

waving a fist at the other

driver in the opposite side

who is actually obeying

signals! If you happen to

stop at the red and await

your turn in these

situations don’t be

surprised if the fist is

waved at you or if teeth

are gritting… for stopping

at the Red signal when the

policeman is not

there!!…understand one

thing -- people do not like a

person who makes them

aware of their wrong.

Simple human psychology

Police…Police! Indira Narayan, HM, St Ann’s HS, Sec’bad

We are born with only

one heart,

deep in our ribs

it reminds us

to appreciate and give

love from deep within..

works this way... ‘There

isn’t anyone checking or

watching over me so why

should I bother about right

and wrong. I won’t get

caught so here I go

violating rules!’ This

paradigm is sadly applied

at most places by us

humans, which is ‘if there

no one watching or

checking me let me do

things the way I want to.’

In offices such attitudes ,

which basically come from

lack of self discipline ,

may eventually lead to

some kind of trouble ; but

in the teaching profession

these will only aid in

warping the tender mind

of a student who learns

from what he sees. It is a

student who will bear the

brunt of being taught by a

teacher who has no self

discipline This is not

meant to deride a teacher

but to point at a major

wrong which is in turn

very influential in giving

wrong ideas . Man by

nature loves a path that is

trouble free, easy and not

hard to tread on. Go to the

railway reservation

counter. There will be

queues no doubt, yet

many would like to jump

the Q if they feel they

won’t be noticed in doing

so. The same applies at

the Cinema theatre or at a

temple. We are in a

mighty hurry to see the

movie; we do not have

the patience to wait for

our turn for a ‘ darshan’

Sadly, along with our

devotion God also likes to

test our patience which

most of us cannot show

outside His temple! Why

do we all need a

policeman or should I ask

do we educated people

need ‘policemen?

When a teacher continues

to teach after the bell has

rung and the class is over,

students, at least some of

them, will be looking at

their watches as though

reminding the teacher

that it is time for her to

leave the class. Right?

But these very students

will forget that they have

worn a wristwatch during

the break time;

Continued on page 5

Caption describing picture

or graphic.

Visit our website for

latest poll and other

updates. Give your

feedback and contribute

resources.

Inspiring Teachers Page 4 of 6

Supporters – Navin, Venu, PV Narasimham and Madhan

Inviting Talented

Teachers, Teacher

Educators, Educationists,

Professionals Working

With Schools to provide

education to children from

all economic and social

backgrounds from the

neighbourhood/communi

ty.

Post Graduates in

Opportunities at Pudami – a chain of 35 schools by Dr Reddy’s

• Nirmaan - expert academic and career guidance to, specially, the economically

backward students in rural areas through a toll-free helpline

http://www.nirmaan.org/page/Home.aspx

• Is Iron Man possible ? http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_00e8965c-5980-

11df-8842-001cc4c002e0.html

• An amazing clock with loads of information – world statistics

http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

• Hundreds of ideas with bamboo - http://bamboohouseindia.org/home.asp

• The best education system in the world

http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Koulutus/koulutusjaerjestelmae/?lang=en

Must See Videos on Education

• TED Talks Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for

creating an education system that nurtures creativity. See both 2006 and 2010 videos

with subtitles.

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

• Who really failed? A teacher is taken off course for setting high standards -

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/04/15/lsu

• A one minute film that talks about child labor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN8o9w6eLlo&NR=1

• In pursuit of success (four parts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lVleH3f1BA

• Active learning method transforming Tamilnadu schools

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gajJ9huCog

Interesting Links – Sridhar Chitta, Raman, Learning-Net, Vinish Gupta

Apply within ten days.

E-mail your resumes

to [email protected]

Address: Dr. Reddy’s

Foundation, 87/A, MLA

Colony, Road No. 12,

Banjara Hills,

Hyderabad - 34

We are born with two eyes in front because we must not always look behind, but see what lies ahead beyond ourselves. We are born to have two ears one left, one right so we can hear both sides, collect both the compliments and criticisms,

English/Science/Social

Studies/Mathematics

(preferably with B.Ed)

willing to travel in the

suburbs in Hyderabad,

with a passion for

teaching and creativity,

excellent English

communication skills and

a desire to ensure student

learning.

Desirable: Leadership

qualities, analytical

ability, an insight into the

functioning of school and

working with Principals to

bring about development

in schools. Experience of

working with

economically deprived

children would be an

advantage.

Inspiring TeachersPage 5 of 6

they cannot hear the bell

and will come to class late!

What is the direction of

my thoughts in writing

this? It is to highlight that

time sense and self

discipline, the backbone of

any successful venture,

are losing their hold in

today’s lifestyle. In a

school, the day’s schedule

is worked out and bells are

rung at specific times;

each bell announcing the

beginning or the end of

the teaching period or the

commencement or end of

a break. There are no

secrets about this and

every one on the campus

knows to identify each

bell. When the tutor and

the taught fall in place in

obeying these, that school

will be the best both in its

ccademics and its all

round credibility.

Example is better than

precept... is what I

strongly believe in. It is

upsetting to see teachers

enter their class rooms

late, especially after the

break with the confidence

that they are not being

monitored or watched by

the Management. Do they

Police.. Police! (Continued from page 3)

We are born with a brain concealed in a skull so that no matter how poor we are, we are still rich, for no one can steal what our brain contains, packing in more jewels and rings than you can think.

realize that their judges

and policemen are sitting

in their classes? I recall

some students of mine

saying what they do not

like is when a teacher

comes to the class late and

then continues beyond the

bell especially the break

bell thereby cutting into

their break .

When the other person’s

time becomes as

important as mine, a

sense of efficiency comes

into my work. Our

thinking should go along

the lines ‘do not unto

others what you want

them to do unto you’.

Outside a bank the

timings read: 10 AM

to….This means that the

bank is ready to begin

serving its customers at

10am. In reality if you are

at the bank at 10am sharp

you will find that the

concerned personnel will

be busy keeping their

personal belongings away,

then they will go to their

counter , take the required

material, maybe arrange

the tokens in a serial

number etc. , thereby

taking at least 10 minutes

to attend to you . So much

of customer time lost …. A

bit of the credibility of the

bank is also lost in the

bargain. Time is precious,

yours and mine. In an

educational institution it

is the precious time of

students that is lost and

the teacher’s workload

suffers , leading to

her/him rushing through

the syllabus , taking extra

classes both of which

will affect the academics.

Remember Newton’s

third law of motion!!!

So let us make ‘respect’: of

self, of others, of time our

guiding light. Rewards

follow and are very often

built in.

Subscribe to and/or write for

Teacher Plus – an excellent

magazine for school teachers.

Provides new ideas for teaching

with ready made handouts,

gives perspectives on topics of

current interest for teachers and

has many more features

relevant for the contemporary

teacher!

040 2780 7039

E-Mail:

[email protected]

www.teacherplus.org

KV Jayakumar, Executive Director,

CWRDM & Prof, NITW

A cool picture for summer: DRDO scientists, ITM, Mussouri, Feb ‘10

The much awaited job opportunities fair for persons with disabilities, will be held in Chennai in August 2010. (Organised by Ability Foundation and Lions Club of Padi Shenoynagar in association with www.naukri.com) If you are a graduate from a recognised institute and have good English and computer skills, get connected to unbiased equal-opportunity employers from across the country. It is a platform where you will be considered strictly on the

EmployAbility 2010 – a great opportunity for job seekers

Started three years ago, already 1350 teacher members on-line, 40 colleges and many schools touched by the training. Long term projects are being taken up for schools and colleges. Continuous support and multiple initiatives will be included for holistic and sustainable change.

About Teacher’s Academy…

Teacher’s Academy

Hyderabad

PHONE:

97011 41118

E-MAIL: [email protected]

See us at:

www.inspiring-teachers.com

Contact Details: Pavithra Parandhaman Programme Officer-Placement ABILITY FOUNDATION No. 28, Second Cross Street, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar Chennai 600 020 India Tel: 91 44 24452400 Fax: 91 44 24413013 Website: www.abilityfoundation.org

basis of your qualifications and skills, not disability. You need to pre register to participate in the fair. Details and application form can be downloaded From http://www.abilityfoundation.org/employability_2010.html (Please note that even if you are already registered with Ability Foundation, you must register separately for EmployABLITY2010) Last date for registration: June 30, 2010

Please do leave your feedback on workshops on the site About Us� Clients say Share articles, useful links, teaching resources and tips for effective teaching with a growing community of our teacher mailing list. Our forthcoming workshops are at St

Arnold’s school and Holy Cross College at BHEL; Nizam’s Institute of Engg (NIET), Deshmukhi; Sevalaya, Chennai; HPS, Hyderabad; Anyone wants to work with me can send your resume. --Thanks Uma Garimella