This Month’sIssue

Back To School ................

First Week of School .......

ASSET Ambassador .........

Video Review .................

Duke TIP - Summer ........

Mathcovery Season 2 .....

International ..................

Teacher’s Bite..................

Earthian .........................

News Bite .......................

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Back to school

It's school time again! You're probably trudged into the school. Parents and staff feeling excited and maybe a little sad that sprinkled rose water as they entered and the summer vacation is over. Some greeted every child with flowers. The children feel nervous and others a little children were so thrilled by the welcome scared on the first day of school because that they took out a procession, shouting of all the new things that come along: new out loudly that they were happy to get teachers, new classmates, and more. I back to school. After the formal still remember my childhood days; my assembly, the children were offered brother, sisters and I used to wait for days pulav and payasam instead of the regular for the school to reopen. It was the hot meals offered every day in the school. surely have mapped out a seating plan. excitement to go to school with new Surprise among the students, would be

Some schools have a special assembly books, new uniforms and shoes – geared an understatement!arranged for the first day of school, to take on the year.

One interesting activity that you can try where the head of the school welcomes A new year at school brings a lot of too in your class, is using ‘drawing’ as a the students to the new academic year transition - some start using pens instead tool to describe them. This exercise with some activities or with some gifts. of pencils, for others the uniform might helps the teacher to understand the Teachers start the first day of schools with change or even the school building might nature, orientation and perspective of a variety of activities to help the students change. In middle school, you might the students and how to deal with them know each other. The introduction or the move from classroom to classroom for in the future. It creates a warm ice-breaking sessions elevate the mood each subject. Most teachers let you pick atmosphere in the classroom. Some and help thaw out the jitters of the first your own seat on the first day, but by the teachers start the first day of the class by day of school.second or third morning, they would assigning a list of tasks to class leaders.

It is tough for students to get back to The first day of school can set the mood school after a two-month vacation which for the rest of the years. We are happy to is a big change from fun and frolic to welcome you back to school and look academics. So, the management and f o r w a r d t o a n teachers of a school in the South, came up exciting association. with an idea to make Day 1 of this Have a wonderful academic year interesting for the young year ahead!ones, as reported in a recent edition of

– Bindu Pillaithe ‘Mirror’ in South India. They hired a band to play popular numbers as students

T h e m o n t h l y n e w s l e t t e r

Issue 73 | June 2011 | www.ei-india.com

SCOPE

It is tough for students to get back to school after a two-month vacation. A big change from fun and frolic to academics.

Photo Courtesy: Anand Niketan School, Ahmedabad

I still remember the day I was chosen as one of the ASSET Ambassadors of my school. I was thrilled but also confused as to what exactly I had to do. But as the journey moved on, every step was a new learning for me. It was filled with activity, excitement and interaction. It was a wonderful opportunity, one that I was very fortunate to have got.

My role as an ASSET Ambassador has helped me develop leadership skills and responsibilities and has given me a chance to make new friends. It was a great opportunity

to interact with students of my age from schools all over India, get to know interesting happenings of their schools and exchange ideas. All this became possible because of the online site created for ASSET Ambassadors on ning. We also shared interesting facts and happenings from all over the world on various blogs and discussion groups.

In my opinion, being selected as an ASSET Ambassador of one’s school is an honour. But besides that, it also gives one the opportunity to engage oneself in various activities conducted on a monthly basis by ASSET team. One also gets a chance to lead the ASSET Week initiatives in one’s school.

The EI team coordinators were very supportive. Our ideas were always taken, appreciated and whenever possible implemented, from the very first activity of making a Video on “Learning through understanding” to creative writing to making an ad for one’s school.

“How much is too much?” When it comes to opportunities, there are no limits. Nothing should hold back your students from excelling. The Educational Initiatives initiated activity – ‘ASSET Ambassador’ is aimed at giving the students a similar platform.

We received an overwhelming response from schools and students in the very first year of introducing the activity with about 150 schools participating and appointments of over 250 ASSET Ambassadors.

This year we plan to extend this opportunity to students again. We are looking at schools appointing one ASSET Ambassador from classes 5 to 9. These students can be the existing ASSET Ambassadors from your school or they could be new students. In all, your school will have 5 students as ASSET Ambassadors. So every school will have an ASSET Committee and all the appointed students will be members of the committee. The senior-most student would be the ASSET Committee – Captain. The members will work in groups and the Captain would need to make a report of the activities done.

It is an opportunity for students to hone real-world skills like leadership, problem-solving, communications etc. It will give them a chance to network with students, online and through meets. It will give them a chance to know about various activities happening in other schools across the country.

The invitation for the same will be send to schools in mid-June. Check the ASSET Ambassador page on Facebook www.facebook.com/ASSET.Ambassador

First Week of School

I usually start the first day after vacation by asking the children to share

their holiday experiences. There are varied stories that the children

share. There are a few who visit a foreign country every vacation and

like to talk about the new cities and places they visited.

But my heart goes out to those poor children who, have no

opportunity to enjoy the holidays like their other classmates as they

are expected to help their parents with work in the fields or at home.

After every vacation, I explain the true value of holidays; that what they

achieve or enjoy depends on what they wish to have; that God does

not give all the material things to all the people at the same time; that

being good to their parents, friends and acquaintances will fetch them

all good things in times to come.

To help my students reconnect with school and studies after the summer vacations, I usually start my planning before the schools close down. I assign work that brings out the curiosity in the students. I give interesting puzzles and questions to the students before they leave and announce that the child with the maximum correct answers on the first day of the school will be declared a ‘Mastermind’. Observational studies can also be assigned and discussed later.

Ours is a residential school. On the first day of school we

find many dull faces because they are homesick. It is our

duty to bring back their enthusiasm and interest. We plan a

few classroom games to rebuild their friendship and

association. We ask the children to explain about the places

they visited or the new things they experienced during the

vacation. A huge display board is arranged at the entrance

gate so that they can show the creative work carried out

during the vacation. The only thing we have to avoid is

verification of homework or assignments on the very first

day of school.

– Mrs. Uma Venkataraman,

Cambridge Public School, Bangalore

– Indu Kaushik, Vice Principal,Lions Public School, Gurgaon

– Garimel Lanageswararao, Teacher,

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Visakhapatnam

Vacations, undoubtedly create a complete break from the otherwise hectic and exhaustive daily routine of school life. I, thus, design /workout an activity based syllabus for the first month after the vacation. Now, with the implementation of the CCE, it is easier to do that. Various formative assessment tasks in co-ordination with the respective syllabi of the different subjects should be planned in advance and carried out now. These may include the use of audio and video recordings/clippings, group activities (for discussions and presentations), a field trip , a radio/talk show, dramatization of textual prose and recitation and so on. All we need to remember is our own childhood days and how it felt to go back to school after a period of almost two months of pure enjoyment. What would shake us out from our slumber and get us re-started?

– Sumedha Nagpal, Salwan Public School, Morning, New Delhi

Sapna NayakSharada Mandir School,

Miramar, Panaji

Video Review : The Classroom Experiment

This two part series by Dylan write their answers on small white boards given to them. Then Wiliam, emeritus professor at they reveal their answers simultaneously to the teacher. the Institute for Education, In the second part, he proposes removing grades from work. University of London shows how The professor wants teachers to give students a descriptive the professor sets up an feedback to each student. The idea is to make the students experimental classroom to test actually read the comments on their work in order to help simple ideas that could improve them improve. But the video shows that the students are left

the quality of children’s education. Professor Dylan tried out confused and angry since they are so used to the traditional his approach on a class of 13 year olds at Herthwood School in grading system. UK.

Some of the clippings can be watched online on YouTube. In the first part of the video, the professor attempts to bring an

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp5E6e14oEM (This end to the traditional ‘hands up’ way of answering the teacher’s highlights on hands up when the teachers ask questions). questions. Instead he proposes to choose students at random

with the idea of engaging everyone in the class and not just a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw06pnjgkYw&featurehandful of students who usually participate. He experiments =related (This highlights on removing grades.)with an alternative technique where students are made to

Reviewed by Jitu Mishra, Educational Specialist, EI

BBC – Two Part Series, Duration 59 min each

True Values of Holidays

Puzzles and Questions

Classrooms Games

I was so happy to go on a tripTo know, to explore, to discover- new thingsI am back to school nowAnd I’m gonna give my experiences few wings…”

– Sumati Padhy, Basava International School, New Delhi

Childhood Days

ASSET Ambassador of the year 2010Inviting nominations for

ASSET Ambassador 2011

– by Sapna Nayak

I still remember the day I was chosen as one of the ASSET Ambassadors of my school. I was thrilled but also confused as to what exactly I had to do. But as the journey moved on, every step was a new learning for me. It was filled with activity, excitement and interaction. It was a wonderful opportunity, one that I was very fortunate to have got.

My role as an ASSET Ambassador has helped me develop leadership skills and responsibilities and has given me a chance to make new friends. It was a great opportunity

to interact with students of my age from schools all over India, get to know interesting happenings of their schools and exchange ideas. All this became possible because of the online site created for ASSET Ambassadors on ning. We also shared interesting facts and happenings from all over the world on various blogs and discussion groups.

In my opinion, being selected as an ASSET Ambassador of one’s school is an honour. But besides that, it also gives one the opportunity to engage oneself in various activities conducted on a monthly basis by ASSET team. One also gets a chance to lead the ASSET Week initiatives in one’s school.

The EI team coordinators were very supportive. Our ideas were always taken, appreciated and whenever possible implemented, from the very first activity of making a Video on “Learning through understanding” to creative writing to making an ad for one’s school.

“How much is too much?” When it comes to opportunities, there are no limits. Nothing should hold back your students from excelling. The Educational Initiatives initiated activity – ‘ASSET Ambassador’ is aimed at giving the students a similar platform.

We received an overwhelming response from schools and students in the very first year of introducing the activity with about 150 schools participating and appointments of over 250 ASSET Ambassadors.

This year we plan to extend this opportunity to students again. We are looking at schools appointing one ASSET Ambassador from classes 5 to 9. These students can be the existing ASSET Ambassadors from your school or they could be new students. In all, your school will have 5 students as ASSET Ambassadors. So every school will have an ASSET Committee and all the appointed students will be members of the committee. The senior-most student would be the ASSET Committee – Captain. The members will work in groups and the Captain would need to make a report of the activities done.

It is an opportunity for students to hone real-world skills like leadership, problem-solving, communications etc. It will give them a chance to network with students, online and through meets. It will give them a chance to know about various activities happening in other schools across the country.

The invitation for the same will be send to schools in mid-June. Check the ASSET Ambassador page on Facebook www.facebook.com/ASSET.Ambassador

First Week of School

I usually start the first day after vacation by asking the children to share

their holiday experiences. There are varied stories that the children

share. There are a few who visit a foreign country every vacation and

like to talk about the new cities and places they visited.

But my heart goes out to those poor children who, have no

opportunity to enjoy the holidays like their other classmates as they

are expected to help their parents with work in the fields or at home.

After every vacation, I explain the true value of holidays; that what they

achieve or enjoy depends on what they wish to have; that God does

not give all the material things to all the people at the same time; that

being good to their parents, friends and acquaintances will fetch them

all good things in times to come.

To help my students reconnect with school and studies after the summer vacations, I usually start my planning before the schools close down. I assign work that brings out the curiosity in the students. I give interesting puzzles and questions to the students before they leave and announce that the child with the maximum correct answers on the first day of the school will be declared a ‘Mastermind’. Observational studies can also be assigned and discussed later.

Ours is a residential school. On the first day of school we

find many dull faces because they are homesick. It is our

duty to bring back their enthusiasm and interest. We plan a

few classroom games to rebuild their friendship and

association. We ask the children to explain about the places

they visited or the new things they experienced during the

vacation. A huge display board is arranged at the entrance

gate so that they can show the creative work carried out

during the vacation. The only thing we have to avoid is

verification of homework or assignments on the very first

day of school.

– Mrs. Uma Venkataraman,

Cambridge Public School, Bangalore

– Indu Kaushik, Vice Principal,Lions Public School, Gurgaon

– Garimel Lanageswararao, Teacher,

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Visakhapatnam

Vacations, undoubtedly create a complete break from the otherwise hectic and exhaustive daily routine of school life. I, thus, design /workout an activity based syllabus for the first month after the vacation. Now, with the implementation of the CCE, it is easier to do that. Various formative assessment tasks in co-ordination with the respective syllabi of the different subjects should be planned in advance and carried out now. These may include the use of audio and video recordings/clippings, group activities (for discussions and presentations), a field trip , a radio/talk show, dramatization of textual prose and recitation and so on. All we need to remember is our own childhood days and how it felt to go back to school after a period of almost two months of pure enjoyment. What would shake us out from our slumber and get us re-started?

– Sumedha Nagpal, Salwan Public School, Morning, New Delhi

Sapna NayakSharada Mandir School,

Miramar, Panaji

Video Review : The Classroom Experiment

This two part series by Dylan write their answers on small white boards given to them. Then Wiliam, emeritus professor at they reveal their answers simultaneously to the teacher. the Institute for Education, In the second part, he proposes removing grades from work. University of London shows how The professor wants teachers to give students a descriptive the professor sets up an feedback to each student. The idea is to make the students experimental classroom to test actually read the comments on their work in order to help simple ideas that could improve them improve. But the video shows that the students are left

the quality of children’s education. Professor Dylan tried out confused and angry since they are so used to the traditional his approach on a class of 13 year olds at Herthwood School in grading system. UK.

Some of the clippings can be watched online on YouTube. In the first part of the video, the professor attempts to bring an

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp5E6e14oEM (This end to the traditional ‘hands up’ way of answering the teacher’s highlights on hands up when the teachers ask questions). questions. Instead he proposes to choose students at random

with the idea of engaging everyone in the class and not just a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw06pnjgkYw&featurehandful of students who usually participate. He experiments =related (This highlights on removing grades.)with an alternative technique where students are made to

Reviewed by Jitu Mishra, Educational Specialist, EI

BBC – Two Part Series, Duration 59 min each

True Values of Holidays

Puzzles and Questions

Classrooms Games

I was so happy to go on a tripTo know, to explore, to discover- new thingsI am back to school nowAnd I’m gonna give my experiences few wings…”

– Sumati Padhy, Basava International School, New Delhi

Childhood Days

ASSET Ambassador of the year 2010Inviting nominations for

ASSET Ambassador 2011

– by Sapna Nayak

Lawrence. This was a one hour long orientation program in which the 5 faculties of Environmental Engineering, Forensic Science, Java for video games and Entrepreneurial Leadership also introduced themselves to the parents. All these instructors had travelled from USA to train the students in India for ‘Duke TIP’. After the orientation the families interacted with the instructors, Teaching Assistants and Residential Counselors.

After the parents left, the students were given a warm Not many students, while still in school, get an opportunity to welcome by the faculty and the residential counselors during learn what a college student would learn in a semester. Duke the Welcome Dinner, where the staff prepared a Welcome Skit University’s (U.S.A) Talent Identification Program, is offering for the children to tell them about the rules, regulations, just that for the students of Class 7 in India. Duke TIP has been processes and how to be safe while staying for the program. doing this program for over 30 years in the U.S. The

The children began their classes from Monday (May 16). programme was introduced in India two years ago. The search Various simulation games were played in the class to introduce that began in India with 28,718 seventh graders finally reached the students to their subjects. The instructors for each subject its most exciting phase on 15th May, 2011. The top 90 students are among the best in their fields and within a couple of hours of who were identified for the Duke Talent Identification starting the class they had involved students in topics like Program (TIP) through ASSET arrived at the Infosys Campus at ‘decision making tree’, ‘cyclone resistant structures’.The kids Mysore to participate in the 21 day summer studies program. actually made models which could withstand cyclones and the

Duke TIP identifies academically talented seventh graders in stability of their structures was tested in the class with the help India through ASSET scores. Students scoring 95th percentile of a very powerful fan! The students in the forensic science or higher in English, Maths or Science are invited to take an class learnt how to pick up evidence from a crime scene. And above level ASSET test, which allows them greater insight into this was just the first day of the class! their academic abilities. Participants also gain valuable benefits and have access to unique resources for gifted students. Traditional testing often fails to measure the variation among many gifted students who reach the upper limits of scoring on grade-level exams. Above-level testing at least two years above a student's current grade placement offers gifted students and their families a far better understanding of how the student compares to his or her gifted peers and what level of educational challenge is appropriate. In addition, experts at Duke TIP have developed and compiled information to inspire academically talented young people to learn through exciting educational opportunities. Eligibility for enrollment is an honor

Duke TIP Summer Studies Programs are superb academic and indicates outstanding intellectual ability. Duke TIP provides

opportunities and dynamic residential and social experiences participants with an exciting, stimulating and challenging

for the students. These three-week sessions are intense and opportunity to augment their capabilities.

demanding; students are challenged to think critically about On the day of the arrival at the campus the kids and their themselves and their world. The program concluded on 4th parents were addressed by the On-Site director, Mr Novotny June, 2011.

Educational Initiatives is announcing Season Two of Mathcovery 2011 is getting bigger and better with team Mathcovery – the national level competition for students participation! A panel of judges will select the best entries from around Maths. Mathcovery is our initiative to inspire students the online submission. The top 20 entries from each group will to discover Maths - in the most unobvious and unexpected then be called to present their ideas in the form of 2D/3D situations and places. It is the first competition of its kind, models at the Mathcovery National Round.developed on the ideas drawn from the children themselves. Mathcovery National Round will be held at Ahmedabad in the The first season of Mathcovery was a great success with an month of November/December. The finalist teams will overwhelming response of 10,000 students from 8,000 present their Mathcovery idea at the national round and schools participating with their ideas. Four thousand students compete with other teams from India and UAE.participated in the second round and for the finals 20 students Mathcovery aims to change the way in which the children look were invited to Ahmedabad to exhibit their models. There was at Maths in general. It implies that Maths is not just about a crowd of over 1500, which turned up to view the exhibition. learning the correct formulae or scoring good marks in the Mathcovery, this year, is going to be a Team event. Each school exam. Maths is present everywhere around us and through will get to nominate 2 teams, one in the junior and another in the Mathcovery, the students learn to recognize this fact and in senior category, comprising 3 members each. The registrations turn learn to love the subject.for the same will begin in July. We will communicate the same to Checkout this space in the coming issues to find out more your schools soon. about Mathcovery Season 2.

Duke University has introduced their Talent Identification Program (TIP) in India and partnered with Educational Initiatives for selection of participants. This 21-day long residential training program is an exposure platform for gifted students of Class 7. Faculty from Duke University train the students in topics like:

Duke TIP - Summer Studies Program

Students and Parents orientationStudents and Parents orientation

Duke TIP administrator, Residential counselors, Faculties, Teaching Assistants and Pankhuri Nigam-EIDuke TIP administrator, Residential counselors, Faculties, Teaching Assistants and Pankhuri Nigam-EI

Mathcovery 2010 Finale - ExhibitionMathcovery 2010 Finale - Exhibition Mathcovery CreatorsMathcovery Creators

Environmental engineering class in progressEnvironmental engineering class in progress

Season 2 Where Maths is Real

Take ASSET between 1st August and 5th August 2011 and be a part of Duke TIP 2012 To Register for ASSET call : 079-40269623 or email at info@ei-india.com

Forensic Science

Environmental Engineering

Java for Video Games

Entrepreneurial Leadership

Duke University’s talent hunt for 2012 beginsGive your students this platform with

Lawrence. This was a one hour long orientation program in which the 5 faculties of Environmental Engineering, Forensic Science, Java for video games and Entrepreneurial Leadership also introduced themselves to the parents. All these instructors had travelled from USA to train the students in India for ‘Duke TIP’. After the orientation the families interacted with the instructors, Teaching Assistants and Residential Counselors.

After the parents left, the students were given a warm Not many students, while still in school, get an opportunity to welcome by the faculty and the residential counselors during learn what a college student would learn in a semester. Duke the Welcome Dinner, where the staff prepared a Welcome Skit University’s (U.S.A) Talent Identification Program, is offering for the children to tell them about the rules, regulations, just that for the students of Class 7 in India. Duke TIP has been processes and how to be safe while staying for the program. doing this program for over 30 years in the U.S. The

The children began their classes from Monday (May 16). programme was introduced in India two years ago. The search Various simulation games were played in the class to introduce that began in India with 28,718 seventh graders finally reached the students to their subjects. The instructors for each subject its most exciting phase on 15th May, 2011. The top 90 students are among the best in their fields and within a couple of hours of who were identified for the Duke Talent Identification starting the class they had involved students in topics like Program (TIP) through ASSET arrived at the Infosys Campus at ‘decision making tree’, ‘cyclone resistant structures’.The kids Mysore to participate in the 21 day summer studies program. actually made models which could withstand cyclones and the

Duke TIP identifies academically talented seventh graders in stability of their structures was tested in the class with the help India through ASSET scores. Students scoring 95th percentile of a very powerful fan! The students in the forensic science or higher in English, Maths or Science are invited to take an class learnt how to pick up evidence from a crime scene. And above level ASSET test, which allows them greater insight into this was just the first day of the class! their academic abilities. Participants also gain valuable benefits and have access to unique resources for gifted students. Traditional testing often fails to measure the variation among many gifted students who reach the upper limits of scoring on grade-level exams. Above-level testing at least two years above a student's current grade placement offers gifted students and their families a far better understanding of how the student compares to his or her gifted peers and what level of educational challenge is appropriate. In addition, experts at Duke TIP have developed and compiled information to inspire academically talented young people to learn through exciting educational opportunities. Eligibility for enrollment is an honor

Duke TIP Summer Studies Programs are superb academic and indicates outstanding intellectual ability. Duke TIP provides

opportunities and dynamic residential and social experiences participants with an exciting, stimulating and challenging

for the students. These three-week sessions are intense and opportunity to augment their capabilities.

demanding; students are challenged to think critically about On the day of the arrival at the campus the kids and their themselves and their world. The program concluded on 4th parents were addressed by the On-Site director, Mr Novotny June, 2011.

Educational Initiatives is announcing Season Two of Mathcovery 2011 is getting bigger and better with team Mathcovery – the national level competition for students participation! A panel of judges will select the best entries from around Maths. Mathcovery is our initiative to inspire students the online submission. The top 20 entries from each group will to discover Maths - in the most unobvious and unexpected then be called to present their ideas in the form of 2D/3D situations and places. It is the first competition of its kind, models at the Mathcovery National Round.developed on the ideas drawn from the children themselves. Mathcovery National Round will be held at Ahmedabad in the The first season of Mathcovery was a great success with an month of November/December. The finalist teams will overwhelming response of 10,000 students from 8,000 present their Mathcovery idea at the national round and schools participating with their ideas. Four thousand students compete with other teams from India and UAE.participated in the second round and for the finals 20 students Mathcovery aims to change the way in which the children look were invited to Ahmedabad to exhibit their models. There was at Maths in general. It implies that Maths is not just about a crowd of over 1500, which turned up to view the exhibition. learning the correct formulae or scoring good marks in the Mathcovery, this year, is going to be a Team event. Each school exam. Maths is present everywhere around us and through will get to nominate 2 teams, one in the junior and another in the Mathcovery, the students learn to recognize this fact and in senior category, comprising 3 members each. The registrations turn learn to love the subject.for the same will begin in July. We will communicate the same to Checkout this space in the coming issues to find out more your schools soon. about Mathcovery Season 2.

Duke University has introduced their Talent Identification Program (TIP) in India and partnered with Educational Initiatives for selection of participants. This 21-day long residential training program is an exposure platform for gifted students of Class 7. Faculty from Duke University train the students in topics like:

Duke TIP - Summer Studies Program

Students and Parents orientationStudents and Parents orientation

Duke TIP administrator, Residential counselors, Faculties, Teaching Assistants and Pankhuri Nigam-EIDuke TIP administrator, Residential counselors, Faculties, Teaching Assistants and Pankhuri Nigam-EI

Mathcovery 2010 Finale - ExhibitionMathcovery 2010 Finale - Exhibition Mathcovery CreatorsMathcovery Creators

Environmental engineering class in progressEnvironmental engineering class in progress

Season 2 Where Maths is Real

Take ASSET between 1st August and 5th August 2011 and be a part of Duke TIP 2012 To Register for ASSET call : 079-40269623 or email at info@ei-india.com

Forensic Science

Environmental Engineering

Java for Video Games

Entrepreneurial Leadership

Duke University’s talent hunt for 2012 beginsGive your students this platform with

Teacher’s Bite

What are your views regarding the 'Importance of Teacher Training and Development' in educating Students?

Who has most influenced you to become an educator, and how did they influence you?

What is your view regarding the ASSET Test?

What is your approach to classroom management and student discipline?

fairness in dealing with them will go a long way in building a true bond.

Even experienced teachers need regular training to evolve. Though paper qualifications seem to be a requirement, a significant part of the learning for a teacher happens on the job. They also need to be aware of the latest developments in the educational arena and need to develop a desire to equip I started teaching during my junior college years through oneself with the new techniques and instructional strategies to tutoring assignments. Teaching was a great source of inspira-reach out to the learner in the best way possible. Regular tion and eventually my passion became my profession. In participation in training programs and cultivating a healthy habit secondary school, my biology teacher, Ms Thamburan, held us of reading education related journals and publications will in awe of her. Her high expectations of us and intolerance certainly empower the teacher. towards complacency spurred us to give out our best. She was

an embodiment of efficiency and commanded respect with her mere presence. Though I was terrified of her then, I fondly recall her whenever I reflect on my growing up years. Studying under her was indeed a defining experience.

The ASSET test is a litmus test that reflects the impact of the teaching-learning process. It helps the facilitator identify learner needs and enables them to engage the learners more effectively in the learning process. It is no doubt, a support system that provides an opportunity to enhance the perfor-The classroom should be a space in which there is mutual mance of the facilitator and the learner. Such diagnostic tests respect between the facilitator and the learner with no ego at should form an essential component of teaching in any learner-play. The onus is on the facilitator to communicate expecta-centric environment as it focuses so much on individualising tions clearly. A genuine understanding of the psychological and education.developmental levels of students along with consistency and

International

Educational Initiatives conducted the National Inter School Mindspark Quiz Contest at Dhaka on April 30. The competition was held in collaboration with the local national daily newspaper, ‘The Independent’. The contest had participation from around 150 students of 25 schools from in and around Dhaka.

After the various levels of the competition, there were 20 students who qualified for the final round. The finals were held in one of the hotels in Dhaka where around 200 Principals, Vice-Principals, teachers, parents and students were present. ‘Oxford International School’, Dhaka won the first prize and was given a School Trophy, participant trophies and prize

Participation and their very own ASSET My Book.money of Taka 50,000, to be distributed equally amongst both participants. The second prize winner was the team from The occasion was graced by the Minister of Education, Mr. ‘South Breeze School’ who were awarded a trophy, participant Nurul Islam Nahid, along with the Education Secretary to the trophies and prize money of Taka 20,000. The third prize was Government of Bangladesh, Chairman of Mercantile Bank who bagged by the team from ‘DPS STS School’, who were also is also a Member of the Parliament and various other awarded with the trophies and prize money of Taka 10,000. dignitaries.Each participating student received a Certificate of

Q:

Mrs. Deivanai MuthuganesanPrincipal,Hari Shree Vidyalayam,Chennai

Q:

Q:

Q:

National Inter School Mindspark Quiz Contest - Bangladesh

Mindspark in US

The falling standards of Maths education amongst the children from lower socio-economic backgrounds, by supplementing in USA is one of the greatest concern of the authorities there. their learning. The programme will be launched in Texas during EI has offered the authorities in US, a remedial tool – the up-coming summer vacation (June to August). SES is a technology-based self-learning tool, Mindspark. Over 500 Federal Grant program. EI will not only provide their internet-students in the state of Texas, US will be spending their based tool, but will also give Note Book computers to the summer vacation learning Maths through this tool. children who are a part of the summer programme.

Mindspark is a computer based adaptive The questions in Mindspark were self-learning programme. It is a learning designed keeping an Indian child as its system that allows the student to reference. Before the tool was given for construct his/her own learning at the pace use to children in US, there was a process he/she is comfortable with. It is an interactive system, where of contextualisation that had to be done. For instance ‘roti’ had the student is not learning passively by listening to someone, or to changed to ‘pizza’ or ‘bread’; ‘taxi’ became ‘cabs’ and Indian viewing ready-made solutions. With Mindspark, learning names into names in US so that the child could connect with happens interactively by answering questions of progressively the program better. increasing complexity levels.

Mindspark is also soon going to Singapore, where the tool will EI has bagged the license under the ‘Supplemental Education be integrated with video games and computer games. That will Services’ (SES) which is aimed at helping children, who come promote the concept of ‘learn-while-you-play’.

Mindspark Workshop – Dubai

A Mindspark Workshop was conducted on the 1st and 4th of May, 2011 for the teachers of the GEMS group of institutions in Dubai. The purpose of the presentation was to familiarise the teachers with Mindspark, explain why it is essential in today's teaching/ learning scenario and how it works hand in hand with the teacher, helping clarify misconceptions of students and also helping the teacher identify students who have misconceptions. At the end of the session, teachers worked on Mindspark on tablet PCs for about 20 minutes to get hands-on experience. The programme was well received and most

managements have begun discussions on how Mindspark can teachers agreed that Mindspark should be a part of their be implemented in their respective schools.curriculum as it would benefit their students. A few school

Wipro Announces Earthian Competition to Introduce Sustainability Themes to Schools

Weaving Sustainability into teaching and learning originality of thinking and how actionable the ideas are, with Environmental and social issues are the defining challenges of particular relevance to the Indian context. Five national this century. Educationists have to play a key role in leading the winners will be selected, These winners will be awarded Rs 2 change to a more sustainable future. lakhs each and will be invited for a conference where the

winners will get the opportunity to present their papers.‘Earthian’, a landmark sustainability program for schools and colleges, is launched by Wipro with this in mind. The program The second stage of the programme will be a phase of consists of two stages – in the first stage, schools are invited to continuing engagement. During this phase, the winning schools submit papers on any of nine sustainability themes. Schools can will be helped to build institutional capacity on an ongoing basis participate in teams from class 9 to class 12, with one or more – with focus on the environs of the school and the proximate teacher coordinators. The papers will be assessed for community.

For more details, please visit www.wipro.org/earthian, e-mail us at earthian.contact@wipro.com ORcall toll-free on 18001030353.

Teacher’s Bite

What are your views regarding the 'Importance of Teacher Training and Development' in educating Students?

Who has most influenced you to become an educator, and how did they influence you?

What is your view regarding the ASSET Test?

What is your approach to classroom management and student discipline?

fairness in dealing with them will go a long way in building a true bond.

Even experienced teachers need regular training to evolve. Though paper qualifications seem to be a requirement, a significant part of the learning for a teacher happens on the job. They also need to be aware of the latest developments in the educational arena and need to develop a desire to equip I started teaching during my junior college years through oneself with the new techniques and instructional strategies to tutoring assignments. Teaching was a great source of inspira-reach out to the learner in the best way possible. Regular tion and eventually my passion became my profession. In participation in training programs and cultivating a healthy habit secondary school, my biology teacher, Ms Thamburan, held us of reading education related journals and publications will in awe of her. Her high expectations of us and intolerance certainly empower the teacher. towards complacency spurred us to give out our best. She was

an embodiment of efficiency and commanded respect with her mere presence. Though I was terrified of her then, I fondly recall her whenever I reflect on my growing up years. Studying under her was indeed a defining experience.

The ASSET test is a litmus test that reflects the impact of the teaching-learning process. It helps the facilitator identify learner needs and enables them to engage the learners more effectively in the learning process. It is no doubt, a support system that provides an opportunity to enhance the perfor-The classroom should be a space in which there is mutual mance of the facilitator and the learner. Such diagnostic tests respect between the facilitator and the learner with no ego at should form an essential component of teaching in any learner-play. The onus is on the facilitator to communicate expecta-centric environment as it focuses so much on individualising tions clearly. A genuine understanding of the psychological and education.developmental levels of students along with consistency and

International

Educational Initiatives conducted the National Inter School Mindspark Quiz Contest at Dhaka on April 30. The competition was held in collaboration with the local national daily newspaper, ‘The Independent’. The contest had participation from around 150 students of 25 schools from in and around Dhaka.

After the various levels of the competition, there were 20 students who qualified for the final round. The finals were held in one of the hotels in Dhaka where around 200 Principals, Vice-Principals, teachers, parents and students were present. ‘Oxford International School’, Dhaka won the first prize and was given a School Trophy, participant trophies and prize

Participation and their very own ASSET My Book.money of Taka 50,000, to be distributed equally amongst both participants. The second prize winner was the team from The occasion was graced by the Minister of Education, Mr. ‘South Breeze School’ who were awarded a trophy, participant Nurul Islam Nahid, along with the Education Secretary to the trophies and prize money of Taka 20,000. The third prize was Government of Bangladesh, Chairman of Mercantile Bank who bagged by the team from ‘DPS STS School’, who were also is also a Member of the Parliament and various other awarded with the trophies and prize money of Taka 10,000. dignitaries.Each participating student received a Certificate of

Q:

Mrs. Deivanai MuthuganesanPrincipal,Hari Shree Vidyalayam,Chennai

Q:

Q:

Q:

National Inter School Mindspark Quiz Contest - Bangladesh

Mindspark in US

The falling standards of Maths education amongst the children from lower socio-economic backgrounds, by supplementing in USA is one of the greatest concern of the authorities there. their learning. The programme will be launched in Texas during EI has offered the authorities in US, a remedial tool – the up-coming summer vacation (June to August). SES is a technology-based self-learning tool, Mindspark. Over 500 Federal Grant program. EI will not only provide their internet-students in the state of Texas, US will be spending their based tool, but will also give Note Book computers to the summer vacation learning Maths through this tool. children who are a part of the summer programme.

Mindspark is a computer based adaptive The questions in Mindspark were self-learning programme. It is a learning designed keeping an Indian child as its system that allows the student to reference. Before the tool was given for construct his/her own learning at the pace use to children in US, there was a process he/she is comfortable with. It is an interactive system, where of contextualisation that had to be done. For instance ‘roti’ had the student is not learning passively by listening to someone, or to changed to ‘pizza’ or ‘bread’; ‘taxi’ became ‘cabs’ and Indian viewing ready-made solutions. With Mindspark, learning names into names in US so that the child could connect with happens interactively by answering questions of progressively the program better. increasing complexity levels.

Mindspark is also soon going to Singapore, where the tool will EI has bagged the license under the ‘Supplemental Education be integrated with video games and computer games. That will Services’ (SES) which is aimed at helping children, who come promote the concept of ‘learn-while-you-play’.

Mindspark Workshop – Dubai

A Mindspark Workshop was conducted on the 1st and 4th of May, 2011 for the teachers of the GEMS group of institutions in Dubai. The purpose of the presentation was to familiarise the teachers with Mindspark, explain why it is essential in today's teaching/ learning scenario and how it works hand in hand with the teacher, helping clarify misconceptions of students and also helping the teacher identify students who have misconceptions. At the end of the session, teachers worked on Mindspark on tablet PCs for about 20 minutes to get hands-on experience. The programme was well received and most

managements have begun discussions on how Mindspark can teachers agreed that Mindspark should be a part of their be implemented in their respective schools.curriculum as it would benefit their students. A few school

Wipro Announces Earthian Competition to Introduce Sustainability Themes to Schools

Weaving Sustainability into teaching and learning originality of thinking and how actionable the ideas are, with Environmental and social issues are the defining challenges of particular relevance to the Indian context. Five national this century. Educationists have to play a key role in leading the winners will be selected, These winners will be awarded Rs 2 change to a more sustainable future. lakhs each and will be invited for a conference where the

winners will get the opportunity to present their papers.‘Earthian’, a landmark sustainability program for schools and colleges, is launched by Wipro with this in mind. The program The second stage of the programme will be a phase of consists of two stages – in the first stage, schools are invited to continuing engagement. During this phase, the winning schools submit papers on any of nine sustainability themes. Schools can will be helped to build institutional capacity on an ongoing basis participate in teams from class 9 to class 12, with one or more – with focus on the environs of the school and the proximate teacher coordinators. The papers will be assessed for community.

For more details, please visit www.wipro.org/earthian, e-mail us at earthian.contact@wipro.com ORcall toll-free on 18001030353.

Educational Initiatives Pvt. Ltd.302 & 613, J. B. Towers, Opp. Doordarshan Tower,Drive-In Road, Ahmedabad - 380054Phone : 91-079- 40269696Fax : 91-079-26841400 Email : info@ei-india.comWebsite : www.ei-india.com

We would like to receive your feedback on the contents of ASSETScope and the activities of EI. Please send your com-ments / opinions / suggestions to bindu@ei-india.com, assetscope@ei-india.com or to the postal address men-tioned on the left. This is a platform meant for you and it would be great to exchange ideas with you.

Humourous BiteThe teacher asked for sentences using the word “beans”.

“My father grows beans,” said a girl.

“My mother cooks beans,” said a boy.

Then a third child spoke up, “We're all human beans,” he said.

News Bite

building with an open terrace and control room cabin for a top view of helicopters and to check the positions of the helicopters through wireless phones.

One of the pilots, who gave the children a tour, told them that each helicopter was given a name like Chetak and Pawan, to trace their routes and how useful these helicopters were made at times of wars and during natural calamities like floods, accidents and storms for rescue operations.

Students enjoyed this experience. They also got a chance to sit in the helicopter and felt on top of the earth and were one with the birds in the clouds.

– Nilufer Chavan, Headmistress, Little Wonders International Students of Junior Kindergarten were taken for a field trip School, Nashik while studying about vehicles. They were taken to see

helicopters at the Artillery Centre. Students were taken to a

Little Ones aim to Fly

A Hindi song 'Naya Aghaz' (New beginning) composed by a conducting workshops, training teachers and Gurgaon-based private school teacher has become the distributing manuals.signature song of the Central Board of Secondary Education

The song describes the transition in the (CBSE) for its Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation

classroom from the time students were (CCE) in schools.

evaluated through a one-time exam to the new The song composer, Ms Kamaljit, is a teacher at Salwan Public era of CCE. Ms Kamaljit volunteered to write School. The CBSE has the song, which is 4.32 minutes long to this song and her school presented it to the CBSE.further popularise its new concept of CCE in addition to

Haryana teacher's composition becomes CBSE song

Finland, a country with a population of 5 million people, is standardized testing yet maintain top scores internationally on considered to have one of the best school systems in the world. the tests they do take.Teaching is considered as one of the top

A film underscoring those attributes of Finnish professions in the country and there is keen

schools titled, “The Finland Phenomenon” was competition for those coveted slots in Finnish

screened recently at the Westport Public Library, Universities. Students start school at the age of 7

drawing a large crowd of educators and parents and are taught according to their individual

interested in making real and impactful changes in developmental needs. There is very little

education in the state of Connecticut.homework, and students endure very little

The Finland Phenomenon: World’s Most Surprising School System

Source: http://www.minutemannewscenter.com

Source: www.topnews.in/