Name: Neena Jacob
School: Fr. Agnel Vashi
Designation: Coordinator Primary
Expertise: Curriculum Development Primary
Q What is the Impact of CCE on teaching, learning and the overall outcome , Please mention as to how will it improve the level of teaching. Do you think it is important? If yes, why?
A.There is an attempt to address the paradigm shift that is happening in Education with the shift from memorizing to application analysis and skills development. In letter this is a much needed change that is overdue……however space constraints, sheer numbers ,shift systems ,bureaucracy of the Education Department and the challenges that this system throws up to teachers vis a vis brushing up skills , going outside the textbook and development of concepts may prove deterring.
Q. What are the issues related to monitoring tools and its evaluation? and Do you think all the teachers should be made aware? Should all the teachers undergo training?
A.Yes definitely the spirit of the document and an attempt to develop other “intelligences” should be explained where assessment tools are not only for assessment of quantity learnt but skills developed.
For eg Group Projects have an aim of developing interpersonal skills and stimulating peer tutoring and honing leadership
Q. List the specific ICT tools you use to enhance your teaching? Example: Please mention if you initiate any special AV room sessions or encourage students to prepare PPT slides etc.
AVs are used to enhance learning through appropriate PPTs , downloaded Clips, Work i.e. Class tasks displayed on the OHP , Songs are taught the same way as is art and simple craft skills . Reading and Maths concepts, Listening also developed.
Q. What are the issues you face with regard to the curriculum and to what extent do those guidelines help in implementing ICT teaching/learning in classrooms?
A.Our school follows the State Board Curriculum and the major constraints are
a) the syllabus itself focusing on content rather than concept at the primary level and
b) as the same syllabus used in both rural and urban areas so the text is not viewed as interesting or challenging.
There is no attempt to develop an in depth knowledge for eg health and hygiene from Std 3 to 5 is the same with no details about recycling and reusing being mentioned we can however now do these as projects and go into the topic more deeply.
Q. Do you think Learning labs such as English, Math are important and to what extent and how do you think they help in improving a child’s performance?
A.This will definitely help but how do you provide a lab when there are 60 in a class a shift system ( our boards,display areas and seating is shared ).
We only work from 1p.m. to 6p.m. and we have 3 languages to learn so time is very difficult to manage
Q. Do you know what exactly is a Smart Class/ Multimedia Classroom or Interactive Classroom ?Do you think Multimedia Classroom is important? If yes, for which grades? And for which subjects?
A.The Multimedia Classroom is a boon and enhances teaching in the present scenario, unless the teacher can come up with visuals and examples that can mimic the exciting world of TV and Computers the children are not motivated and the interest can not be sustained So this as important for classrooms of today as chalk and a board are traditionally to teachers. IT is a must from Nursery to Std 12 and beyond,
Q. What is the future of education in your words?
A.I would like to see Education moving beyond the Classroom in time and space instant connectivity with a facilitator and ability to pursue ones interest .
I would like to see Education focus on making better human beings with Values of leadership, innovation , self growth ,empathy and selflessness rather than just well informed people, Schools should be a place to develop thinking skills and relationships. Children should be allowed to study what interests them and at their pace. ICT can surely make this a reality,