ISEL Newsletter, Issue 1
Make Learning Stick
What activities lead to learning? Empirical studies seeking answers to this question have shown the most effective ways to make learning durable and versatile are not intuitive. In fact, they often take more effort and feel less productive than conventional methods.
Some teachers and trainers work hard to make new material clear and simple, but when learning is easy, it doesn’t stick. Common student study strategies—rereading, highlighting and underlining—turn out to be largely labor in vain. Single-minded, focused repetition of a new skill? The gains you observe during this kind of massed practice lean on short-term memory and quickly fade.
[Read more…] about Make Learning StickRevitalizing Basic Education
The following excerpt that addresses education in the Indian context has been adopted from Dr. Vidyut Joshi’s research paper ‘A Century of Basic Education in Gujarat: Shifting Paradigm and Crisis Management’ published in the Journal of Educational Planning and Administration, Volume XXVII No. 3 July 2013.
First of all, let us not be complacent and accept the fact that the basic education system has problems. Not only that it is not doing well, but it is losing grip. We will have to accept that education can bring desired social change only if other and larger contexts are congenial. Let us also accept that we can bring about only ideational change. In absolute terms, we cannot become a social reform agency. Having done this, we will have to deal with the tensions (or diseases) and revitalize basic education again. How can this be done?
[Read more…] about Revitalizing Basic EducationHoward Gardner on ‘Five Minds for the Future’ [Author’s Space]
Five Minds for the Future outlines the specific cognitive abilities that will be sought and cultivated by leaders in the years ahead.
These include:
- The Disciplinary Mind: the mastery of major schools of thought, including science, mathematics, and history, and of at least one professional craft.
Education in the Pandemic – Trust The Transition
The destiny of India is being shaped in its classrooms…quoted the Kothari Commission as the Indian Education Commission in 1964-66. And now an ironic coincidence has occurred in the remarkable year 2020, as there are no physical classrooms and the reigning government has come up with the NEP 2020. So then, where is the destiny of India now, when there are no classrooms as such? Well, digital classrooms are eminent now. The most incredible thing about this transformation has been that there hasn’t been any long term planning or piloting in place prior to its implementation. It can be remarked here that the education ministry cautiously involves piloting for new textbooks and curriculum before its implementation. Also adding to it is an unprecedented formulation of consultation, for The New National Education Policy 2020 which has been formulated, after it involved around 2 lakh suggestions from 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, 6600 Blocks, 6000 ULBs, 676 Districts of India.
[Read more…] about Education in the Pandemic – Trust The TransitionCommunicating Effectively – Learning to Adapt to Your Student’s Learning Style
As a student, we all learn through a combination of different learning styles, and over time, we develop our own preferred way of learning. Some of us are visual learners, some of us are auditory learners, and others may prefer a kinesthetic or physical approach to learning. No one style is better than another.
Many people adapt a particular learning style depending on the actual learning situation. How we go about processing information is dictated by this learning style. As a teacher, you need to keep in mind that not all students learn in the same way. Each of your students may have different learning styles. You need to take these different learning styles into consideration. Although some students may prefer to see lots of visual aids, other students may prefer to just sit back and listen to your presentation. Some student love to take notes. Others may hate to take notes.
[Read more…] about Communicating Effectively – Learning to Adapt to Your Student’s Learning StyleHow to Present and Teach in the Virtual World – Expert Advice
Educational professionals know that whenever you open your mouth, whether you’re talking to one person or one hundred, you want to get your message across. What’s the best way to do this when you deliver a virtual presentation?
These strategies for presenting virtually will help you get your message across, maximize your impact, and catch and keep the attention of remote students and audiences.
1. Nothing Happens If You Don’t Understand the Technology
Educational and business entities use different technologies. They include Zoom, WebEx, GoToMeetings, and Teams. Even a seasoned presenter who is superb at delivering live presentations can find the shift nerve-racking.
[Read more…] about How to Present and Teach in the Virtual World – Expert Advice